Love Them While You Can

“Make good memories today. That‘s always been our goal,” says Jojo Youngs, owner of Senior Options, a Kailua-based company offering ‘ohana-style' care for aging individuals and couples who want to stay in their own homes. Jojo and her team take great pride in providing the best care possible for every client, treating each as they would members of their own family. The importance of that philosophy hit Jojo even closer to home this past Spring. The last time she saw her father, in his nineties and living on the mainland, was in early 2020. Over the past year, they talked regularly and, every time, he would say, “Waiting for your call!” and “When are you coming to visit? Or me to see you? I love you and want to see you soon!” When she got the call that her father was declining quickly, she rushed to get on a flight. Unfortunately, while waiting to board the plane, he took his last breath here on earth. On the mainland helping to take care of the arrangements, she lost four additional friends and family members in the following four weeks. Jojo knows that death is a part of life. It’s something every family and every person will experience. Her words of wisdom: Kiss the kupuna in your life every day, as often as you can. Say “I love you” when you greet them and when you say goodbye. If in-person visits aren‘t an option, send them your love with phone calls, FaceTime, cards and care packages. “We make good memories and then we cherish the precious last moments we have together,” she says. “Giving our love, kindness and time is all that matters in the end.”