ALOHA and WELCOME!
Aloha, a Hawaiian word, is known worldwide as a greeting and farewell. Yet, it means far more. At its core, it embodies love, compassion, and mutual respect.
I'm Dr. Warren Wong, a geriatrician who has devoted my career to sharing Aloha with older adults and their caregivers. While doctors typically order tests, make diagnoses, and prescribe medicines, sharing Aloha goes beyond these clinical duties. It means truly knowing the person, sharing knowledge, and accompanying them on their journey.
Dedicated caregivers are vital to the health and happiness of frail older adults. However, caregivers also need support. One of my goals is to offer clear, practical, how-to advice. But support isn't just about instructing; it's about being in this together. I'll share insights into the challenges, joys, and discoveries my patients and their families have experienced. Together, we'll work towards making aging with love and dignity a reality.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Dr. Warren Wong
Meet Dr. Warren Wong
Dr. Warren Wong finds joy in the care of older adults. He founded the Geriatric Medicine Clinic at Kaiser Permanente, Hawai’i, when few people knew what Geriatric Medicine was. He then designed “Senior Segmentation” for Kaiser’s 1 million older members. The concept was that not all seniors are alike, as their needs are different. During his career, he developed palliative care, nursing home care, and home visit programs. Supporting caregivers is a continuation of his life’s work. A Clinical Professor at the University of Hawai’i School of Medicine, Wong, states that the caregiver is the most important person in a frail older adult's daily life.
Inspiring Speaker & Guest
Dr. Warren Wong has spoken to international, national, and community audiences. His message is always about Getting Older with Love and Dignity. He discusses the distinction between “To,” “for,” and with” patients and families. The healthcare system, with its emphasis on disease management, too often results in either “To” or “for” not ‘with.” The result is poor quality, dismal outcomes, and high costs. Dr. Wong offers a reimagining of what healthcare could be. His work on Senior Segmentation made clear that “one size fits none.” He is a strong advocate for home and community-based care. Healthcare, as it is, is unacceptable. Dr. Wong envisions the changes ahead.
What is Geriatric Medicine?
Geriatric Medicine is the specialty of caring for seniors. Geriatricians work especially closely with frail, elderly patients and those who have dementia. Excellent care requires more than understanding diseases and medicines. It is even more important to know what matters most to the patient. It is also more important to understand the world in which the patient and caregiver live.
Just as pediatricians emphasize developmental stages, geriatricians emphasize functional status. We get a clear picture of the patient’s health when we know what a patient can do. We also realize the importance of supporting the caregiver. Caregivers, not medicines, make the biggest difference in a frail patient’s life. After all, most of the care of a frail patient is at home, not in the doctor’s office.
THE BOOK
Getting Older with Love and Dignity
Suddenly, you're thrust into the role of caregiver. Ready or not, it's your turn. What do you do? Where do you start? How can you provide care with love and dignity?
Getting Older with Love and Dignity is your essential guide to navigating the complex world of elder care. Dr. Warren Wong, an accomplished geriatric medicine specialist with three decades of experience, offers practical solutions for those critical "what should I do?" moments:
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How do I prevent falls and manage injuries?
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What's the best way to set up a safe home environment?
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How can I create effective daily care routines?
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What should I do when faced with resistance or agitation?
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How do I cope with the physical and emotional toll of caregiving?
This guidebook book tackles the challenges head-on, acknowledging the fears, frustrations, and fatigue that come with caregiving. Dr. Wong provides:
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Simple yet effective techniques for mobility assistance and fall prevention;
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Strategies for collaborating with healthcare providers;
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Guidance on nutrition, medication management, and emotional support;
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Real-life examples and common-sense advice for everyday situations.
Getting Older with Love and Dignity equips you with the knowledge and confidence to provide competent care—and this book helps you fulfill your potential as a caregiver, ensuring your loved one's golden years are truly GOLD.
Why Dr. Wong Wrote
Getting Older with
Love and Dignity
A precious few are born to be caregivers. Most are not. I myself would have to learn a lot of patience to be one. Few people choose to be caregivers. But there you are, a caregiver, the most crucial person in the daily life of a frail older person. To me, that’s obvious. The health care system says you're on your own. I say, no, you're not. My goal is to support you in the everyday reality faced by caregivers. That’s why I wrote Getting Older with Love and Dignity.