Extended Ohana Services LLC

12/29/2023

Holidays bring families together for treasured time and making new memories.

For some, the realization that your loved one has changed. Whether it's problems with memory and thinking to a decreased awareness of taking medications, eating regularly, or ensuring personal care needs are met.

Extended Ohana Services LLC offers in-home evaluations to determine how we can assist. Visit our website for more information.

11/10/2023

Recognizing the brave men and women who gave of themselves for our Country, thank you for your service

07/03/2023

Celebrating Independence Day

05/27/2023

Honoring those who gave there lives - thank you for your service

05/26/2023

Happy EMS Week - provided home-baked goodies for the Waikoloa Fire & EMS. Happy EMS Week - thank you for all you do!!

05/23/2023

I recently had the pleasure of accompanying my friend to the doctor who wasn’t feeling well for some time. In preparing for his visit, I asked him to write down the items he wanted to speak with the doctor about. During the visit, due to his condition, he wasn’t quite able to understand what the doctor was saying, and the next steps to be taken.

That’s where Extended Ohana Services Care Coordination came in – being the “eyes and ears”. I took notes of the doctor’s recommendations and what to do next. His family on the mainland was quite concerned with his condition, so the information that was passed on, provided not only relief but what steps if any they needed to take.

It’s not easy asking for help, or for that matter admitting you quite can’t understand what to do next. Extended Ohana Services can be your “eyes and ears” to help you understand what’s next. Contact us today for more information on Care Coordination.

12/01/2022

When to Ask for Help

Asking for help isn’t as complicated as it seems or is it? There are those who are fortunate to have a significant list of family or friends they can call on, but what if that’s not the case? Initially when a loved one becomes ill, the “Super Man/Woman” spouse is up for the task. However, realistically how long can you/should you keep this pace up?

If your sleep is disrupted, your day starts early and ends late into the night, if you become frustrated, impatient, short tempered, or worse, become ill – it’s time to ask for help.

With Extended Ohana Services (EOS), we start with a free in-home consultation to review needs of both the client and spouse, discuss expectations and preferences. Together we develop a customized plan to allow to relieve stress while supporting the individual to remain safe while in the home. EOS services include personal care including showers, changing and washing linens and clothing; preparing and serving a meal, med administration, light housekeeping, pet care and much more. With EOS, you will be treated as a member of our own family with punctual service and weekly progress reports for peace of mind.
Call (520) 403-4785 or email: extendedohanaserv@gmail.com

Happy Holidays!

11/11/2022

11/02/2022

Joining the Journey

Memory loss is often a subject most family members or spouses don’t necessarily want to talk about. There may be hushed conversations in the kitchen at a family gathering, while others including spouses try to convince themselves ‘it’s the normal part of aging’.

The difference between normal aging and dementia are quite different. A loved one with dementia loses things more often with an inability to remember or recall where the item is or when they had it last. Instead of forgetting which word to use, they are unable to have a conversation due to the inability to find words and follow a conversation. And lastly making decisions that could place them in harm’s way or result in a negative outcome.

For me, I like to say that a client has trouble with their memory and thinking, versus ‘forgetful’, ‘losing it’ or being ‘senile’. Despite the type of memory loss, your loved one is on a journey. Instead of correcting or scolding them for talking about catching a train to work, something similar to ‘what are you talking about? We don’t even have trains on this island’. Instead try ‘where are you going on the train?’ Meet your loved one in the moment. If they think its 1970 versus 2022, it’s okay because that is what they believe.

As the disease process continues, you’ll see more changes, and perhaps become overwhelmed with the aspect of providing care, Try to keep a routine during each day – it may seem mundane, but you are providing structure to their lives which greatly helps, especially with personal care. At Extended Ohana Services we understand the disease process and the need to offer support to the caregiver whether respite time or hands on care, we are just a phone call away.
Call: (520) 403-4785 or email: extendedohanaserv@gmail.com

10/11/2022

Avoiding Caregiver Burnout

Being the best you can be for your loved one includes taking time for yourself. Caregiver burnout, is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that comes with taking care of a loved one. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the impact on families. Taking care of yourself can be as simple as going to the grocery store, have lunch with a friend, or a swim in the ocean. Extended Ohana Services is available to provide the care in your absence. Whether it’s preparing and serving a meal to providing personal care services, remember you are not alone – and we’re just a phone call away. Call (520) 403-4785 or email: extendedohanaserv@gmail.com

At Extended Ohana Services (EOS), we provide reliable and affordable home care services to clients in the West Hawai`i area. Whether you need daily health related attention or are looking for appointment based care customized for you!

08/01/2022

Do drive safe! Congratulations to all students returning to school!

With island keiki heading back to school soon, the Hawaii Police Department is encouraging motorists to drive safely when approaching school zones. Here are traffic safety tips to keep in mind as children go back to school.
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀:
👉 Slow down! Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.

👉When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.
Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

👉 Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.
Obey the school bus “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:
Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

👉 Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

👉 When driving in neighborhoods with school zones, watch out for young people who may be thinking about getting to school, but may not be thinking of getting there safely.

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘:
👉 Stay five steps away from the curb.
👉 Always wait for the bus driver to tell you when to board.
👉 Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
👉 Exit the bus when it stops, look left-right-left, and take five steps away from the bus toward the curb.

𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said when driving to school make sure there’s a safe driver behind the wheel. 👉 Every ride begins with everyone wearing seat belts, using booster seats, or being properly secured in an appropriate car seat.
👉 Every child should ride in the back seat; children in the front seat are 40 percent more likely to be injured in crashes.

Discuss safety tips with children, model road safety behaviors, including always buckling up in the car, and following all the rules of the road every time you drive, ride or walk.

We all have a role to play in keeping our students safe. Let’s work together and drive with aloha, slow down when approaching school zones, pay close attention to crosswalks and help the school crossing guards to help children get to school safely.