Office of Aging - Annual Report Fiscal Year 2000-2001

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OFFICE OF AGING

Mission

The Hawaii County Office of Aging develops services, which enable older persons to reach and maintain the highest level of dignity, independence and personal well- being.

ROLE AND DUTIES

To continuously assess the needs of older persons in Hawaii County and develop programs aimed at meeting these needs;

Monitor, evaluate, and comment on policies, programs, and community action, which affect older persons;
Represent the interests of older persons to public officials and public and private agencies;
Develop and maintain a public awareness program for older persons;
Maintain data on the profile and needs of older persons in Hawaii County and have this information available for other organizations and the general public;
Plan and coordinate with other agencies and organizations;
Promote new or expanded benefits and opportunities for older persons;
Develop and administer an Area Plan on Aging for a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system in Hawaii County;
Enter into sub-grants or contracts for the provision of services outlined in the Area Plan;
Provide technical assistance, monitor and evaluate the performance of all service providers under the Area Plan.

HIGHLIGHTS/ACTIVITIES

Area Plan on Aging

Revised the Area Plan on Aging for the period October 1, 1999 to September 30, 2003. The Area Plan outlines the Office of Aging’s strategy for developing a comprehensive and coordinated system of services for older persons on the Big Island. Office of Aging staff worked with ten Community Planning Councils on Aging throughout the island for the past six years, obtaining input for the Area Plan.

The State Executive Office on Aging distributes Title III Older Americans Act funds to counties with approved Area Plans on Aging. This year’s amendments focused on the establishment of a congregate meal site in Kailua-Kona.

"Senior Helpings" Grant

Helped the Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council obtain a $20,000 "Senior Helpings" grant from the Philip Morris Foundation to provide home-delivered meals to older individuals in West Hawaii during FY 2001-02.

QuikFIX Home Modification Program

Continued the QuikFIX Home Modification Program initiated in FY 2000 at a reduced level. The program provided 46 pieces of safety equipment to frail elderly clients on the Big Island. Although not a priority service, waitlisted requests indicated a critical and significant need for home modification. This gap service will be addressed in FY 2002.

Hawaii County Nutrition Program Vehicle

Provided $22,000 to the Hawaii County Nutrition Program to purchase a station wagon for the Home-Delivered Meals Program in Hilo. The vehicle is being used to deliver home-delivered meals in East Hawaii.

Kailua-Kona Congregate Meals

Thanks largely to initiatives by the North Kona Community Voices Council, a new congregate meal site was opened in West Hawaii. The meal site is operated by the Hawaii County Nutrition Program and serves seniors living in the Kailua-Kona area.

Kupuna Care Project

The Kupuna Care Project (KCP), a statewide long-term care program for Hawaii’s frail elders, completed its second year of a four-year demonstration. Through the KCP, 2,212 seniors were provided with 98,500 units of case management, home delivered meals, personal care, homemaker, chore, attendant care, assisted transportation and day care services.

Aging Institute of Hawai`i

Applied for and received a $180,000 grant from the Department of Labor’s Workforce Development Division to establish an Aging Institute of Hawaii. The Institute will develop a certificate program for para-professionals working in the aging network.

Outstanding Older Americans Awards Ceremony

On May 11, 2001, 18 senior citizens and 2 organizations were recognized for outstanding achievements and service to their communities.

Kupuna Care Computer Grant

The Hawaii County Office of Aging received a $30,000 computer grant from the State Executive Office on Aging during the month of April 2001. This grant was used to purchase hardware and software items to upgrade the Office of Aging’s local area network and computer systems.

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