Caring for kupuna is huge social challenge

By Jim Cone

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 20, 2013

~~<p>Hawaii is unique. One-third of its population within the next 10 years will be 65 years of age or older, which will make it No. 1 among states in terms of the number of elderly as a percentage of its overall population. Possibly because of weather, activity and kupuna eating healthy, kamaainas are living longer.</p>
<p>The hard fact, though, is that just because we are living longer doesn't mean quality of life comes with it. We are learning that with a lengthening life expectancy comes challenging work to care for it. The 50-year-old baby boomer generational mantra, "I hope I die before I get old," didn't quite work out and the boomers are as startled with the outcome as the previous generation was with their then-attitude.</p>
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Hawaii is unique. One-third of its population within the next 10 years will be 65 years of age or older, which will make it No. 1 among states in terms of the number of elderly as a percentage of its overall population. Possibly because of weather, activity and kupuna eating healthy, kamaainas are living longer.

The hard fact, though, is that just because we are living longer doesn't mean quality of life comes with it. We are learning that with a lengthening life expectancy comes challenging work to care for it. The 50-year-old baby boomer generational mantra, "I hope I die before I get old," didn't quite work out and the boomers are as startled with the outcome as the previous generation was with their then-attitude. Login for more...