Arts and Crafts as therapy

Valentine’s Day… so much anxiety.

I entertained at the Spark Matsunaga Center for the Aging on Valentine‘s Day. I noticed that there were no hearts and flowers as wall decorations celebrating Valentine’s Day. Regardless, I wore a red shirt, although my only red shirt had an ink stain on the pocket that I hoped wasn‘t noticeable. No such luck with military vets who are accustomed to inspecting every loose thread on one’s clothing. Regardless, even though the guys noticed it, they presumably appreciated my effort.

What is interesting is that Valentine’s Day is mostly to please women. When I had a relationship in my life, the days I dreaded the most were 1. Her birthday, 2. Christmas, and 3. Valentine’s Day.

It got to the point where if I didn’t spend enough on her on these special days, she went into a state of depression. I’ve terminated relationships based upon how women reacted to how much I spent during these special days.

These vets obviously felt the same way and may have been relieved to not have to dwell on Valentine’s Day.

What got the patients’ interest most was what the Arts and Crafts Lady brought for them. She represented a company called Help Hospitalized Veterans, which provided projects for the veterans  so they could create things with their hands by painting, putting together crafts and other projects. There are a number of organizations that help these vets. One, which is funded by private funds with no government help or intervention is
http://www.hhv.org/about/index.asp

The above shows the art selections that are available for the residents

Some of them aren’t able to move their limbs so can’t create art projects. One guy, a Navy fighter pilot who had to land his plane on a moving ship, didn’t have use of any of his limbs. I believe he’s a recipient of  the Navy Cross but I can't confirm that because they don't like to brag about those things.

For those who have the use of their hands, making model cars is definitely a favorite activity

Another resident , was a navigator in the Air Force. Other residents nicknamed him “Wrongway” claiming that if the flight plan is set for Japan, he would navigate the plane to Alaska. Of course, it doesn’t help that “Wrongway” keeps bumping into things and people with his wheelchair.

Here is a painting that "Wrongway" created. He only has use of one hand

If you’re artistic or have time to volunteer, please consider doing so with them. Or, if you don’t have the time, but can contribute money, you can help in that way. The HHV organization is not sponsored by the government and exists because citizens who appreciate our veterans give of their time and resources.



WHERE WE LIVE, THERE ARE RAINBOWS

THERE ARE ANGELS IN THIS WORLD ALL AROUND US


As most of you know, I volunteer to do tax returns every year about this time. Yesterday was my first day for the season. One of the taxpayers that came in had a way about him that I couldn't figure out.

During the interview process, I found that he was paying for his parents' entire mortgage payment and, taking care of them. His mother had some health issues which limited her mobility. His father was also frail and wasn't able to lift her when she needed help. He also bought their medicine and paid for their hospital bills.

Yet, he was filing a simple return as a single person. I asked if his parents filed a return and he indicated in the affirmative. That means that the taxpayer had to file as a single person rather than as "Head of Household" with much more favorable rates. I suggested that he bring his receipts in for the medicine, the hospital bills and the mortgage statement (he indicated that he was on the mortgage with his parents) and his parents' social security numbers and dates of birth. Perhaps if his parents don't need to file a tax return, he would be able to claim them as dependents and gain "Head of Household" status.

He further would obtain tax credits like earned income credit and dependent care credits. I explained all of this to him and suggested that he come back after gathering these records. He was abrupt and said that he didn't have any of the paperwork. So he was O.K. with filing as a single person even though he could get back thousands of dollars by filing as a "Head of household". He wasn't upset with me (I don't think) but he appeared to be distraught. This happens when a person is stressed out.

He prepares everything for his parents every morning, including meals and whatever they need and then goes to work. When he comes home, he needs to clean them up, prepare their meal and do the household chores. He has no respite other than going to work every day. There are many in our society who do these things, quietly and without fanfare.

Since he insisted that we prepare his tax return as a single person, I did so. He didn't want to come back and felt that getting the documentation was a hassle. I gave him a list of things he needs to keep as records and proof of support he gives his parents so that he may be able to files his tax returns properly next year. The thousands he would get as a refund could be used to help pay for medication and perhaps hire someone to come in to give him a day off from caregiving.

I went to the grocery store early this morning to buy refreshments for the work crew who would be finishing up the installation of my new kitchen. The taxpayer was behind me at the checkout counter and told the cashier that I do tax returns as a volunteer. He appeared to be less stressed and let me know he truly appreciated the guidance I gave him.

Made my day.

KEEPING OUR KUPUNAS ACTIVE

GIVING KUPUNAS RESPONSIBILITIES HELPS TO KEEP THEM SHARP


Many times, we tend to do everything for the elderly because they're too slow, make mistakes, or don't do things correctly. Yes, we can get things done faster if we do things ourselves, but are we hurting the elderly because they no longer engage themselves physically or mentally in everyday tasks? Do they lose their self-esteem because they no longer feel they're contributing to their ever shrinking community? Yes, many believe so.

We must be as patient with them as we are with children. The only difference is that children will build upon each success pattern and the elderly will eventually deteriorate with memory loss and physical frailties.

When my dad passed away in 1994, he made me promise to watch over my mother. So I moved her in with me and she remained with me until her passing in 2002. I was busy with two teenagers at the time and ran my business from my home so I didn't have much patience with her. I had her do the laundry and dusting around the house and gave her limited duties around the stove. I did the cooking and she heated her meal in the microwave oven most of the time because I also coached baseball and was very active in PTSA activities.

In early 1995, I got a puppy to keep her company. It was one of the best decisions I made. She was named Koge (Ko-gay) and my mom had someone to scold and discipline. Koge slept in my mom's room at night to keep a watch over her.

My mom was also a Buddhist and that required frequent visits to the family gravesites. So, I grew torch ginger, orchids and anthuriums. She would go out into the yard a couple of times a day and watch as each plant grew and flowered. Every few days, she would cut flowers and place them on the family alter in her room.

Another thing that the elderly enjoy is growing food. One can do this even if one doesn't have a yard. If you live in a condo where you have a lanai, you can plant vegetables in those storage bins made by Rubbermaid. If you have a yard and have the energy, you can plant a hydroponic garden that could make you self-sustaining in the event our government goes broke and the streets get chaotic.

Some of these gardens use tilapia in tanks to  fertilize the vegetables and the vegetables in turn, recycle and cleanse the water for the tilapia. In one system, one can have protein from the fish and vegetables for vitamins, minerals and fiber. You will find that the elderly in your care will spend more time outside watching the recycling of life.

The elderly also enjoy doing crafts or making things. I encouraged my mom to continue her crocheting where she made potholders, doilies, clothing and decorative items. It keeps them busy and focused on completing something and they have something to look forward to every day. I've noticed that at the care homes I visit, the people who come in with arts and crafts are more popular than those who run Bingo games. They bring in pre-drawn pictures where they can color by the numbers, make crafts and other items that they can show off to their friends.

If we don't give them something to be responsible for, then they're just waiting to die.

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BY DOING TAX RETURNS

VOLUNTEER AS A TAX PREPARER


Every year for the past couple of years, I've volunteered in the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly) sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. The program is sponsored by a number of groups under the guidance and sponsorship of the Family and Individual Self-sufficiency Program.

http://www.hawaiitaxhelp.org/about/

To volunteer, one must pass a test set by the IRS. For geezers like me, I need all the help I can get so I attend a free seminar at Leeward Community College for two Saturdays. The class is conducted by Professor Roy Kamida, who is also a CPA. The first session is this Saturday, January 22. You can make inquiries about attending the session by emailing him at KAMIDA@HAWAII.EDU.

http://malamakupuna.blogspot.com/2010/03/professor-roy-kamida-tax-sage.html

Also assisting at Leeward is Shelley Ota who is a Professor of Accounting and is the division Chairperson for LCC Business Division. She is a 2009 recipient of the UH Regents Medal of Excellence in Teaching. Professor Sharon Cox is an Assistant Professor of Accounting in UH West Oahu's Division of Professional Studies. They are both credentialed academically.

In the above photo, both professors are brainstorming on ways to attract more people in to utilize the tax assistance program. Some of their ideas made me blush. But you can see that they're not typical of the professors I had when I struggled through college. My professors all had beards, walked and talked slowly and were hard of hearing. As you can see, neither of them have beards.

They are always on hand to provide assistance when the volunteer has questions. And, I can attest that they will not giggle or snort when you ask a question that a simpleton should know. At least, they've never laughed while I was still in their presence.

One of the things most volunteers look forward to is the food cooked by volunteer chef, Vic Punua, Jr. His sweet/sour spare ribs are of the broke-the-mouth quality.

http://malamakupuna.blogspot.com/2010/03/victor-punua-jr.html

Then, there are the volunteers who keep coming back year after year. You get to renew old friendships while helping the people with their tax returns.

http://malamakupuna.blogspot.com/2010/03/toni-tsusaki-community-resource.html

http://malamakupuna.blogspot.com/2010/03/jack-hewitt-computer-guru.html
Of course, the main benefit you will get as a volunteer is the satisfaction in helping people to navigate through the complex process when preparing a tax return. You will also acquire a better knowledge of our tax system. At Leeward, where I volunteer, there are many accounting students who are part of the program to obtain class credits and hands-on knowledge of the tax preparation process. They obtain real life experiences in dealing with "clients" which will serve them well in their future endeavors. As a geezer volunteer, interacting with the young keeps me young and on my toes.