Category: October – November 2012

  • Soups Up!

    Diane’s Kale, Bean & Roasted Vegetable Soup The fall season is here. What better time to prepare for flu season than with a hearty pot of immunity boosting soup. In order to keep your immune system strong, you need to eat a nutrient dense diet rich in antioxidants and anti cancer phytochemicals, which only come…

  • Kokua Council

    The Kokua Council is one of Hawai‘i’s oldest advocacy groups. Kokua Council empowers seniors and other concerned citizens to be effective advocates in shaping the future and well-being of our community. The Council encourages those needing help in advocating for themselves. Kokua Council embraces diversity and extends a special invitation to any senior or intergenerational-minded…

  • Understanding Medicare & Medicaid

    Navigating the health care system can be challenging, but for more than 9 million people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, it can be especially difficult. Medicare and Medicaid have similar names but they are very different programs. People who are eligible for both — known as dual eligible — must understand the…

  • Asbestos – Not a Thing of the Past

    New data indicates that the asbestos exposure in Hawai‘i and the Pacific Islands could be significantly higher than previously thought. The finding is serious, as the latency (delayed time period) between exposure and asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis, can be up to 50 years or more. Seniors who worked or lived near shipbuilding…

  • Wire Fraud

    How money coming in is actually going out Western Union, Moneygram and similar businesses allow you to send money quickly. Their services are useful for transmitting funds to friends, relatives and others you know well. But scammers frequently take advantage of victims by convincing them to wire money to a stranger, often someone in a…

  • I Never Want to Grow Up

    Disney fun at Hi’olani Care Center For the assisted living residents at Kahala Nui’s Hi‘olani Care Center, there is always fun to be had. Thanks to the creative staff, the center always has new, engaging activities and themes for its annual weeklong “theme week.” This year’s theme, the “wonderful world of Disney,” featured a Disney…

  • The Wisdom Tooth

    QUESTION: My dentist says I have “root caries.” What are they, what causes it, and what can be done to treat it? ANSWER: Root caries, or root decay, are cavities that develop in root exposed areas. It looks like brown or black spots on the area near the gum line. Early stages of root decay…

  • Don’t Fall Behind!

    It is that magical time of the year. The pumpkins are at the open markets, the air is a bit cooler and it’s time for your Medicare Check-Up. You don’t need to see your doctor for this checkup, just sit down and reflect back on the past year. Questions to ask yourself: Have my medical…

  • Book Review: A Guide to Getting Affairs in Order

    How to prepare for the worst case scenario. Grief does not discriminate. No matter who you are, losing a loved one can be an overwhelming life experience. Imagine dealing with looking for important documents and organizing burial wishes while dealing with the loss. Many people don’t realize the need for getting affairs in order before…

  • The Flu & You

    The flu shot is a vaccine that helps to prevent the flu, an illness caused by infection with the influenza virus. Viruses are very small germs that cause illnesses. Flu is a contagious disease, with symptoms such as fever, cough, headaches, body aches, sore throat and fatigue. For older people, especially those who have chronic…