Page 3 - MidWeek - April 5, 2023

I have learned a lot since we started the process of gathering industry experts and local business leaders to share their insights about what we can all do to get our houses in order. As the content creator for our Ho‘okele guidebook and one of the producers for the weekly Get Your House in Order TV show, I very much enjoy learning and absorbing the wisdom from our local community.
In one of my recent articles, I wrote about the importance of creating an advance health care directive and the wonderful gift it is for loved ones, who can avoid squabbles and guess work because everything is clearly spelled out in black and white.
What I learned in our television series is that health directives protect one’s wishes for all situations in which they are no longer able to make their own decisions. In the case of possible future dementia, if one didn’t want to be constantly reminded to take their medications, they
could include those specific instructions in their health directive. Someone could express their wish to receive the proper medications in the event they get dementia, but to never be badgered or nagged into taking them.
These scenarios reminded me of my husband’s grandparents. His paternal grandfather’s doctor advised him not to eat certain foods to prolong his health. But, he had made his wishes known that he had lived a long, fulfilling life and wanted his remaining years filled with ‘oishi’ foods and desserts. Over time, grandpa’s memory deteriorated and he continued to ask for his favorite foods. His family honored his wishes, so whatever grandpa requested, he got. Maybe sugar-free desserts and leaner cuts of meat were occasionally substituted, but there was never a struggle and everyone washappy.
My husband’s maternal grandfather was also instructed by his doctor to restrict certain foods from
April 5, 2023 MIDWEEK 3
PAULETTE ITO
SVP Marketing
Hawaiian Financial Federal Credit Union
Your Wishes Paulette Ito
his diet. Unlike his paterntal grandfather, my husband’s maternal grandfather struggled because he wanted to continue to eat all his favorite foods, but his children felt they should follow his doctor’s advice by only allowing limited, healthy choices on the daily menu. Every once in a while, there was a side serving of heated arguments about that.
What do you want to happen if you can no longer make your own decisions? Or, what if you can make decisions but others are not listening? Not only is it important to create an advance health care directive, but it’s also vital to share it with loved ones, explaining your decisions so they all understand the consequences. Let them know it’s OK to serve you your
favorite Chantilly cake on your birthday even if you have high blood sugar because it will make you happy. Let them know you want a medium- rare tomahawk steak even if you have high cholesterol. It’s also OK to say you want to be given medicine, even if you refuse, if it helps manage your health.
The best way to start this journey is to think about what you would want in a similar situation: How would you want to be cared for, by whom and where? Answering these basic questions helps get these important conversations started. I’ve had these discussions with my parents, and they have told me directly that they do not want to go to a senior care home. They prefer to age in place. They want their medication, and
they want their favorite foods. Our conversations are robust at times, especially when we discuss our ability versus their wants, but at least we’ve started the conversations that will be instrumental in forming their decisions for their health directive choices.
Helping all Hawai‘i ‘ohana achieve their highest quality of life is the main goal of the “Get Your House in Order” campaign, while also reminding everyone of the importance of sound life- planning decisions.
There are four phases of the “Get Your House in Order” campaign, with a new section of the Ho‘okele guidebook available from the HIFICU.com website each quarter. Ho‘okele parts 1.1 and 1.2 are already available. Download your copy and start completing
your Ho‘okele booklet today. Also on our website is a link to the Hawai‘i advance health care directive form for you to fill out.
Remember, advance health care directive forms can be amended and should be shared with your loved ones. Keep your advance health care directive with your Ho‘okele guidebook. Do not keep this important paperwork with your estate documents where they may be discovered too late.
For more information about the “Get Your House in Order” campaign, email GYHO@hificu.com. And tune in to KITV at 7 p.m. every Saturday to watch Yunji De Nies talk with local industry experts on how and why you should “get your house in order.”
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