A Wellness Conference is slated for 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 24) at the Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1055 Kinoole St. in Hilo.
Presentations will cover topics including dementia, legal affairs, diet and medications. The day will end with the movie “Still Alice” and a discussion/support group.
Dr. Kevin Kurohara will speak about dementia from 9-10 a.m. He has practiced medicine since 1987 and is an active member of the East Hawaii Independent Physicians Association. Kurohara also has served as the honorary chairman for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s and helped with the Early Signs Health Fair at Life Care Center of Hilo.
Attorney Alan Okamoto will speak from 10:30-11:30 a.m. about legal affairs. Okamoto works with the Hilo law firm of Nakamoto Okamoto and Yamamoto. He grew up in Hilo and obtained his BA degree at the University of California Berkeley. He received his law degree from UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. Okamoto returned to Hawaii to practice with the Hawaii County Corporation Counsel’s office and began private practice with his law firm in 1979. He has assisted clients with their estate planning since he began private practice.
From noon-1 p.m., Stacy Haumea will speak about healthy diets. Haumea, RDN, MPH, LD, CDE, is owner of Mauli ‘Ola Nutrition Consultants, a Hawaii-based organization dedicated to providing services of registered nutrition professionals to community organizations to promote preventive medicine, especially sustainable nutrition and physical movement initiatives, that are community led, and provide Pacific island research in the field of diabetes and obesity prevention. While living on the Big Island, she has been employed as a nutrition provider at Bay Clinic Inc. and teaches undergraduate courses at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College.
From 1:30-2:30 p.m., Miles Nakatsu will speak about medications. Nakatsu is a pharmacist at Ululani Pharmacy. This presentation will cover information about medication, proper storage, the pharmacist’s role and safe practices.
Chris Ridley with the Alzheimer’s Association will present “Healthy Habits for a Healthier You” from 3-4 p.m. This speech will help participants identify healthy living styles.
Finally, beginning at 4 p.m., “Still Alice” features actress Julianne Moore who plays Alice Howland, a happily married woman with three grown children who is a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, Alice and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. Her struggle to stay connected to who she once was is frightening, heartbreaking and inspiring.
A group discussion and support group follow the movie. Seating is limited. Contact Ridley at 443-7360 or ridley0428@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
