Q: Please talk a little about your initial connection to Amazing Care…what was the appeal from the outset?
PH: I’m retired now, and really enjoying this stage of life. Cora and I worked together at Kaiser, and while catching up with her one evening, she shared her idea of gathering people to talk about the “last chapter”, to really explore what it takes to age well, and why “it takes a village”. It makes so much sense to me.
We’re all so busy. We need to be able to manage career, family, our health, and now getting older … all of it. I’ve learned so much. ACN’s focus on what is important, and meaningful as we age is so right on.
I realized that, there I was, head in the sand, completely confident that I was prepared to age well. I guess the plan was to continue exactly how I am… until I don’t wake up one day. My background is in finance, so yes, we have prepared in that way, but through the Amazing Care Network, I realize that there is so much more to aging. So much more to consider.
We’re at the age where “next phase” things are starting. Like, I’m going, wow, this feels funny, you know, but things are starting to fall apart, right? And then, oh my gosh… Then you start thinking, oh, I better be prepared for this because here we go… We’re not immune… What will happen when I can no longer negotiate stairs? What will happen to the family if I am physically incapacitated? How do we have the conversation with our loved ones about what we want at the end of life? What are our options, how do we want to do this?
The Amazing Care Network has brought together people and information that can help answer those questions. It’s a safe and open environment to have those conversations.
It’s scary and exciting. I want to be prepared…eyes open, be deliberate, and to know what’s happening. The Amazing Care organization is important to me because it helps me to focus on issues by providing information, by letting the conversations happen. Knowledge is power, and then it’s not so scary.
For example, one of the topics that ACN focused on early was, where will you live as you age? We had a great speaker who helped us think about what is important to you, and how do you plan for it? It was really helpful to have those discussions with the group…with others in the same place, asking similar questions. As a group, some of us toured some facilities. I am not worried anymore, now that I have a plan.
I think one reason that ACN very much resonates here in Hawaii, is because of our cultural heritage of extended families. People have lived together closely and in multi-generational situations for centuries. We share, and depend on each other already. Our social connections are important, and we rely on each other for information. Amazing Care provides this connection and information.
Q: How did the pandemic affect you?
PH: Like everyone else, we hunkered down. Only did essential activities. Aside from managing daily life, I also managed an apiary with a group of beekeepers. We had to focus on the health of the honey bees, and our team. What we were accomplishing together made our relationships stronger.
I think the pandemic was a wake-up call regarding the uncertainty of what the future may bring, and the importance of our relationships. We make it up as we go along! The discussions we have at Amazing Care have become really more relevant and the relationships we form with others there become more precious!
