The film: Restoring Lōkahi
Healthy aging as well as many of the chronic diseases of aging begin when we are young – in the families and communities that raise us. Lifesaving interventions of healthy food, physical activity, supportive relationships, and finding peace and purpose are not routinely prescribed within our current healthcare system or covered by health insurance. This film was created to advance conversations about the potential for the integration of Traditional and Western medicine to improve health by enhancing focus on outcomes that are meaningful to patients. It was inspired by the wisdom of elders, caregivers, and other community members across the United States and brought to life by those in Hawaiʻi, where the hope for integrative healthcare reflects deep understanding of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – and each person’s connection to their ancestors, their communities, and the natural environment that sustains life.