Category: Programs & Services
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Hawaii Connector Must Be Consumer Friendly, Accountable and Sustainable
Beginning in January 2014, Hawai‘i residents who are without health insurance, small businesses, and those who are self-employed will be able to be covered by insurance purchased through an online marketplace known as the Hawaii Health Connector. The Connector was established by the state Legislature in 2011 to offer health plans to the public under…
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All You Need is Love . . .
What can brighten the day of a hospice patient with no one to visit them or a person going through chemotherapy? With a cold nose and furry smile, the Hawaiian Humane Society’s Joy Ambassadors help to spread cheer as part of the pet visitation program. Volunteers and their pets visit about 50 hospitals, care homes…
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Caregiving & Medicare
As the air cools and the mango trees produce the last of their fruit, we approach the fall season and the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. November is also National Caregivers Month. These are both very important times for individuals with Medicare and our unsung heroes — caregivers. Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is from October 15…
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Caregiver Burnout
In a 2012, 15 percent of Hawai‘i’s population was 65 years and older. This statistic continues to increase; and as part of our culture in Hawai‘I to care for our loved ones, many families have assumed the role of caregiver. Being a caregiver can include providing supervision, assisting in meal preparation, doctor’s visits, medications, and…
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Caring for Yourself: Kidney Disease Update
What would you do if you were told you might be sick, or might become sick, even though you feel fine, have no symptoms of which you are aware, and think that you are generally in “good health?” Would you bother to do anything at all under those circumstances? Would you tend to think that…
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Medicares’ National Mail-Order Program
On July 1, 2013, Medicare was scheduled to implement a national mail-order program for diabetic testing supplies. The program was designed to offer patients quality supplies at a discounted rate. Rather than having an approved amount of $78 for 100 test strips and lancets, Medicare’s approved amount is around $22 — and your co-pay will…
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What to Ask When Seeking a Care Home
Choosing a caregiver or nursing home for a family member is one of the most difficult decisions in life. It is a stressful, consuming task that is often made worse by the fact that a loved one has suffered a medical crisis. You may face great pressure to arrange care in a very short period…
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When to Place a Loved One
Making the decision to place a loved one into long-term care can be difficult for families. It wasn’t too long after Maria’s husband had fallen outside of their home did she realize it was time to discuss his long-term care plans with the family. Maria’s family found it difficult to come to agreement on the…
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Important Changes to Medicare July 1, 2013
We’ve received several calls from individuals who have received letters from the Department of Health & Human Services in Baltimore Maryland titled An Important Message for People with Original Medicare. So questions were asked: Is this letter legitimate? Yes it is. Individuals with Original Medicare may receive two letters depending on the county where they…
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Caregivers Role
Little is known of caregivers within our community who provide care to aged and disabled individuals under the Community Care Foster Family Home Program. In fact, at times there is a certain undeserved stigma attached to the profession. So what is the role of Adult Foster caregivers? And why should we trust them with our…