St. Francis

If you are caring for an elder loved one, no doubt you’ve been exposed to many new terms.  Healthcare professionals have their own language for describing the services our loved ones need and it is sometimes difficult for caregivers to determine what their healthcare team members are talking about!  If you’ve ever been in the [...]

For many people, caring for a loved one is a rewarding experience–so much so that they choose to embark on a professional career of caring for others.  The skills they learn caring for a family member or friend easily translate into caring for others, and provide a realistic job preview of what it takes to [...]

Caring for a fragile loved one can be filled with challenges.  Caregiving takes time and sacrifice, and it’s often emotionally-charged.  Caregiving can also be expensive.  Medications and medical supplies, respite care, and supportive services can put a strain on a family’s finances.  If you are caring for a loved one and need financial assistance, click [...]

World Wings International, the philanthropic organization of former Pam Am flight attendants, held a garage sale at McKinley High School cafeteria in February 2013 to benefit the volunteer program for St. Francis Hospice.  At the volunteer appreciation luncheon held on April 20, 2013, World Wings International presented a check for $12,512, which represents the majority of [...]

St. Francis Healthcare System hosted their annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on April 20, 2013 at the Hale Koa Hotel.  Organized by Patty Martin, Sallyanne Pekelo, and Betty Coffer of the Volunteer Programs Department, the luncheon was attended by more than 200 volunteers, St. Francis Healthcare System employees, Sisters of St. Francis, and guests.  In his [...]

Summertime is often travel time.  Graduations, weddings, and family vacations often mean getting in the car, or on a plane, and heading out to where the festivities are located.  Sometimes, travel with an elder loved one, especially one who might be frail or have health issues, can be stressful.  Some elders, who worry about their [...]

Caring for a frail or elderly loved one is a labor of love–one that often requires tremendous sacrifices from the caregiver.  One of those sacrifices may be that the caregiver’s friendships are compromised.  The time commitment required from the caregiver to meet the needs of their loved one and see to all their other responsibilities [...]

As our loved ones age, we may begin to worry about whether they can live alone.  While our kupuna value their independence and are comfortable in the homes they may have occupied for decades, we may wonder if it’s time to offer support to help them stay independent while attending to their health and safety [...]

Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally trying and physically exhausting.  Many people diagnosed from dementia, though, can benefit from sticking to a routine of regularly scheduled activities that can provide structure to their days.  Read the article from agingcare.com that discusses how to use routine daily activities to assist those with dementia to stay [...]

by Nathan Hokama HMSA, Hawaii’s dominant health plan, launched a two-year pilot “Supportive Care” program last Monday, April 1, and St. Francis Hospice began providing supportive care to a patient in this new program. The pilot, which continues through June 30, 2015, is designed for patients who have HMSA as their primary health insurance and [...]