the community newspaper for east oahu since 1987

Caring for Kupuna

by ROBERTA CHOY
Sun Correspondent
*Archived October 2006 article

Caring for a loved one who needs assistance with the activities of daily living can be very challenging. Knowing resources available in the community can ease the difficulties many families face. Published by the City and County of Honolulu and American Savings Bank, the "Senior Information & Assistance Handbook, 2005-2007" is a good reference for elderly services and is available at any American Savings Bank. Another handy resource is the "Family Caregiving Guide," which is published by and available at the Elderly Affairs Division, Department of Community Services, City and County of Honolulu. It is also listed on their website: www.elderlyaffairs.com.

When adequate resources are available, caregiving is manageable and less stressful. It also allows an individual to remain independent while residing at home. To assist these people in East Oahu, Lunalilo Home created the King Lunalilo Meal Service. People who are unable to prepare their own meals can have their meals picked up or delivered to their door from Monday to Friday at a reasonable cost. At Lunalilo Home, nutritious, local style meals are standard fare including mahi mahi, somen salad, adobo, beef chop chae, Chinese chicken salad, beef stroganoff, baked salmon and chicken hekka. For more information on services or special diets, you may call (808) 395-1000.

For your next meal, try serving our steamed island fish, which is healthy, easy to prepare and a favorite enjoyed by our residents. For easier eating, use boneless fish fillets.

Lunalilo Home's Steamed Island Fish

1 lb. fresh island fish or fish fillets
1-1/4 tsp. fresh ginger, slivered
3 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. oil
1-1/2 tbsp. green onion thinly cut crosswise

1. Cut fish into 5 3-ounce portions.
2. Place onto a plate for steaming. Sprinkle ginger over fish.
3. Bring water to a boil in a steamer or pot with trivet. Lower temperature to medium heat and steam fish for 15-20 minutes until done.
4. In very small pot, heat oil to smoking. Remove from heat.
5. Add soy sauce and pour over fish. Garnish with green onions.
6. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables. Serves 5.

For a healthful dessert or snack, serve bread pudding made from whole grain or brown bread. This recipe is also very good using leftover bread crust and the batter can be made the night befor

Lunalilo Home's Whole Grain Bread Pudding

1-pound or 16-ounce (about 10-12 slices or 2 to 2-1/3 quarts diced) day old whole grain or brown bread or bread crusts
3/4 cup (1-1/2 blocks) butter or margarine
1 cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or blueberries)
3-1/4 cup milk
7 large (1-1/2 cup) eggs, beaten
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cut or break bread into pieces and process in a food processor until crumbly (about 6 to 7 cups). Melt butter or margarine and mix into breadcrumbs. Stir in dried fruit.

Heat milk in a double boiler. Mix eggs, sugar, salt and flavorings together. Stir hot milk slowly into the egg mixture. Mix until sugar dissolves. Pour mixture over breadcrumbs. Mix together well. Refrigerate overnight. Pour into an ungreased 9 x 13-inch rectangular pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 20.

Helpful hint: To calculate one pound of bread from a 24-oz. loaf of bread, count the number of slices and use two-thirds the number of slices.