Nursing home week kicks off today
In observance of National Nursing Home Week, from today through Saturday, Mountain-Pacific Quality Health is recognizing those long-term care facilities that joined the National Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative and are partnering with Mountain-Pacific as part of its commitment to providing the best possible care for their residents. Across the state of Hawaii and in Guam, 37 nursing homes are currently working with Mountain-Pacific, including Life Care Center of Kona in Kailua-Kona.
The collaborative supports facilities as they work to improve safety and quality of care for their residents. Specifically, through peer learning and sharing, facilities enrolled in the collaborative discuss and implement data-driven, evidence-based strategies that prevent harm, like pressure ulcers, falls and adverse reactions to medications.
National Nursing Home Week is an annual observance sponsored by the American Health Care Association. This year, the week’s theme is “Bring on the Fiesta,” which encourages the celebration of nursing home residents’ familia (family), vida (life) and amor (love). This special week offers the opportunity to recognize nursing home residents as a vital part of our communities.
Mountain-Pacific holds federal contracts to oversee the quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries. It works within communities to help improve the delivery of health care and the systems that provide it.
Elections Commission seeks applicants
The Elections Commission is accepting applications for the position of Commission Chairperson.
Those interested may submit their resumes with a cover letter to: Elections Commission, State of Hawaii, c/o Office of Elections, 802 Lehua Avenue, Pearl City, HI 96782.
Applications must be postmarked or delivered to the Elections Commission on or before May 13.
The duties of the Elections Commission are to hold public hearings, investigate and hold hearings to receive evidence of violations and complaints, employ a chief election officer and advise the chief election officer on matters relating to elections.
For the complete vacancy notice go to hawaii.gov/elections.
For more information call 800-442-8683.
Seniors plan fashion show
Kailua-Kona Seniors will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 13 at Hale Halawai.
Members will participate in a secondhand rose fashion show. Seniors will model clothing purchased from area thrift stores while members try to guess the price of each item. May birthdays will be celebrated.
Fore more information, call Dave at 345-1388 or Pat at 329-2424.
American Legion meets Wednesday
American Legion Kona Post 20 will meet at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Veterans of Foreign Wars facility on Kaiwi Street adjacent to Kona LockSmith.
Speaker will be Minoru Hanato discussing the Memorial Day May 25 celebration and the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Hanato is a member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7 and is also a treasurer for West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Expansion Association. The DAV is in charge of the Memorial Day program at the cemetery.
All veterans and their families are invited to attend the meeting. A dinner will be served at 5 p.m. for $10.
Kealakekua library reopens Wednesday
Kealakekua Public Library will reopen at 2 p.m. Wednesday following the completion of recent renovation projects. The book drop will also reopen at that time.
Renovation work included exterior painting and various repairs and improvements for the library.
The library is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; and it is closed Thursday and Sunday.
The library is at 81-6619 Mamalahoa Highway. For information about programs and services, call the library after it has reopened at 323-7585.
Skin cancer talk offered Wednesday
The Kona Hospital Foundation and Kona Community Hospital will host dermatologist Monica Scheel and Patricia Achay, who will discuss “Understanding Skin Cancer. A conversation about Facts, Myths and Protecting Your Skin.” The speakers will cover what everyone should know about skin cancer, including what to look for on the skin and how to prevent problems from arising. There will be time for questions and answers.
The talk will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the West Hawaii Civic Center Hale, Building G.