Health

AARP Speaker Educated on Fraud

Friday, August 24th, 2012

AARP Molokai News Release

Adele Ching, representing the Senior Medicare Patrol, traveled from Oahu to tell AARP members on Molokai about their program at a well-attended meeting recently. They are part of the State Executive Office on Aging, and are charged with empowering seniors to prevent healthcare fraud. The program is federally funded and has been operating in Hawaii since 1997.

They have volunteers statewide and provide group presentations and one-on-one counseling in the basics of Medicare and Medicaid, fraud schemes, and how to combat errors, abuse and fraud.

If anyone is interested in the free training and certification to become a volunteer, call toll free 1-800-296-9422, or email laurel.paleka@doh.hawaii.gov.…

Over-the-Counter Medications and Keiki

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012

Community Contributed

By Jon Mikami, RPh, and Kelly Go, RPh, Molokai Drugs, Inc.

Giving drugstore medications to your keiki is no big deal, right? Well, it shouldn’t be, as long as you use them the right way. But just because a medication is sold over the counter doesn’t mean it comes with a risk-free guarantee.

If your child has ever had a bad reaction to an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, stop giving the medication right away. Tell the doctor and pharmacy staff about it. Keep a record of its name, dosage directions, the illness it was used for, and the side effects it caused.…

Candles in the Dark

Sunday, August 5th, 2012

Community remembers and celebrates at Relay for Life 2012

After darkness fell upon Kaunakakai Ball Park at Molokai’s fourth annual Relay for Life, a huge circle of candle-lit luminaria lanterns formed on the ground in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer. Family and friends surrounded each decorated bag, reminding themselves and each other that they were not alone in their struggle. Over 300 people attended this year’s 12-hour event starting Friday in support of the fight against cancer.

“Relay [For Life] is about celebrating, remembering and fighting back,” said guest speaker Trisha Adams.…

Community Health Center Connects to Hawaiian Culture

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

MCHC News Release

The Molokai Community Health Center (MCHC) was the training site for a three-day workshop for a new education curriculum based on the ancient Hawaiian practice of uhau humu pohakau, or dry stack stone masonry. The unique curriculum was designed by Hui Ho`oniho and funded by the Administration for Native Americans.

“We were excited to partner with Hui Ho`oniho to help launch this new curriculum,” said Matt Yamashita, president of MCHC. “Our health center is committed to educational and cultural efforts that benefit our community.”

The workshop’s primary goal was to train educators in how to use the new curriculum in classroom settings.…

What is Psychosis?

Wednesday, August 1st, 2012

Community Contributed

By Stephanie Napoli, Psy.D., MCHC Behavioral Health Director

Psychosis is a widely misunderstood word that is commonly used as an insult, much in the same way “retarded” is. But psychosis is actually a medical term that refers to a mental disorder characterized by symptoms (such as delusions or hallucinations) that indicate impaired contact with reality. A person who is psychotic, then, has lost touch with reality. This usually means that they see, hear, think, understand, or interpret things differently than most people. Most commonly, people with psychosis see or hear things that aren’t really there.

Psychosis is due to problems with naturally occurring brain chemicals and can be caused by severe mental illness (for example schizophrenia), substance abuse (particularly methamphetamine or “ice” which commonly causes paranoia and hallucinations), severe stress or trauma, severe sleep deprivation, and, at times, some medical conditions (for example, Alzheimer’s Dementia, HIV/AIDS, Lupus, or hypoglycemia).…