Born and raised in Kalihi, Rosalinda is 83, was recently hospitalized and is now homebound. Once an active kupuna who enjoyed taking the bus to run errands and go shopping, she now spends a lot of time alone in her one-bedroom apartment watching Korean dramas. Although her carotid artery disease and limited mobility keep her indoors more than she’d like, “Rose” is still smiling. Why?
Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels (HMoW) had the pleasure of getting to know Rose over a year ago when she began receiving meals as part of our special pandemic services for kūpuna sheltering in place. When kūpuna felt safe enough to venture outside again this summer, she asked to end her meal service so others in greater need could enjoy the benefits of home-delivered meals. But we continued to stay in touch with Rose. It was during a friendly wellness check that a delivery driver learned that she had recently returned from being hospitalized.
”“I used to drink A LOT of Coca-Cola, and I loved one-dollar hamburgers, french fries, and hotdogs. But after I got sick, my doctor said no more Vienna sausages, and no more Spam!”
We encouraged Rose to restart meals that could now be specially prepared for her new low-sodium diet – one that also omitted beef, pork, or dairy per her doctor’s recommendation. Within a few days, she began receiving home-delivered meals again.
“Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels saved my life! Just a little bit of mayo made my knee swell up for days. Now I know, I have to stick to my diet. I cannot cheat! I’m so thankful for the meals! I love the fresh fruit.”
Partnering with 12 commercial kitchens throughout the island, HMoW provides a variety of custom-tailored meal types like those that Rose receives. Whether meals are minced for those with difficulty chewing or cardiac, renal, and diabetic-friendly, our team works with our kūpuna’s medical professionals, their families, and our kitchen nutritionists to provide meals that are both ono and packed with proper nutrients for each kūpuna.
Home-delivered meals help Rose stay healthy and independent at home, which makes both her and her ohana happy.
“My daughter was coming twice a day, every day, with three meals. She still brings me breakfast, but she’s so thankful to have the support!”
Even with a caring, supportive ohana, Rose especially looks forward to visits from her meal delivery drivers since becoming homebound.
”“Before I got sick, I couldn’t stay home. I had to get out. But now I can’t go out by myself because I’m a fall risk. Now I’m home and don’t dare sneak out of the apartment by myself again.”
For homebound kūpuna like Rose, who spend much of their time alone, just knowing someone will pop in to drop off meals and talk story is comforting and helps keep dementia, depression, anxiety, and other serious health conditions linked to loneliness and social isolation at bay.
“Lisa, who delivers my meals every Monday, is fantastic! She takes the time to ask how I’m doing. My meals remind me of all that I’m grateful for and to look forward to every new day,” she said.
These visits are especially meaningful to Rose since the recent loss of her son. As she and Lisa talk story, Rose lights up her apartment with laughter so vibrant and jokes that could have a room of people in stitches. During these brief exchanges of aloha, the weight of loss is lifted momentarily. Even while grieving, Rose holds true to her “gotta think positive thoughts” mantra.
Rose is just one example of how meals can make a huge difference in the lives of our neighbors. This holiday season, we expect to serve thousands of meals. That means we have thousands of opportunities to help people like Rose. To me, that’s an incredible opportunity that I don’t think any of us want to miss. Especially because there are so many hungry and isolated kūpuna in our community who are in desperate need of support.
That’s why I hope you’ll support Hawai‘i Meals on Wheels – by December 31 at the very latest. When you share your tax-deductible gift, we can fulfill urgent requests for meals to frail kūpuna like Rose.
