Non‑Discrimination Policy
Improving Well-Being
Posted June 29, 2015
Howard Omura is a retired principle from Maui High School. He spends his days reminiscing about his work, the students, and how proud he was to make a positive impact on their lives. He talks about his days of flying between the islands to give speeches, going opihi picking, and many other fond memories.
Mr. Omura asked that his care partners be on the look out for “mail from his former students”, as many of them enjoy sending him cards and packages. To ensure that Mr. Omura always has mail in his mailbox, his care partners have started to take turns writing notes to him and placing them in the mailbox located in the courtyard in front of his bedroom door.
When Mr. Omura talks about needing to pack his bags for the day to catch a flight to Oahu or set out for an afternoon of opihi picking, his care partners assist in getting him ready. They pack his bags with him and make sure he has everything he needs for a successful trip.
The effort, compassion and thought that goes into caring for not only Mr. Omura’s health, but also ensuring that he feels a sense of well-being is just one of the many ways the Eden Alternative has changed the culture of how we care for our residents. Ways in which we help residents achieve well-being are by knowing that each individual has a unique identity and life history; encouraging individual growth; giving residents the autonomy to make their own choices; ensuring that residents feel safe by having privacy, dignity and respect; and helping residents to feel connected and engaged in life.