ROLE AND DUTIES

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

The Office of Aging is an Area Agency on Aging. It:

· Continuously assesses the needs of older persons in Hawaii County and develops programs aimed at meeting these needs;

· Monitors, evaluates, and comments on policies, programs, and community action which affect older persons;

· Represents the interests of older persons to public officials and public and private agencies;

· Develops and maintains a public awareness program for older persons;

· Maintains data on the profile and needs of older persons in Hawaii County and has this information available for other organizations and the general public;

· Plans and coordinates with other agencies and organizations;

• Promotes new or expanded benefits and opportunities for older persons;

· Develops and administers an Area Plan on Aging for a comprehensive and coordinated service delivery system in Hawaii County;

· Enters into sub-grants or contracts for the provision of services outlined in the Area Plan; and

· Provides technical assistance, monitors, and evaluates the performance of all service providers under the Area Plan.

STAFF

The Executive on Aging is the director of the Office of Aging. He is responsible to the Mayor of Hawaii County, and must ensure that plans and programs are developed according to all applicable rules, regulations, and initiatives, and that the office is effectively administered.

The Office of Aging employs nine permanent employees, seven in Hilo and two in Kona.

BUDGET

During the period July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999, the Office of Aging's operating budget was $320,184. By obtaining an additional $1.9 million in federal and state grants, the Office of Aging was able to administer a variety of services for older persons on the Big Island.

County Funds $ 320,184

Federal Funds 1,199,253

State Funds 758,514

Total $2,277,951

Major services funded were: caregiver support, case management, chore, employment, hospice, information & assistance, legal, nutrition, outreach, personal care, residential renovations, respite, small group homes, transportation, and volunteerism.

The Office of Aging carried out the following major projects and/or initiatives:

Area Plan on Aging

Completed 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.

"Senior Helpings" Grant

Obtained a $20,000 grant from the Phillip Morris Foundation to provide ethnic home-delivered meals to homebound older persons. Funds will be sub-contracted to the Alu Like program which, in turn, will work with KTA Super Stores and Suisan to develop special meals. The project is a collaborative effort between Alu Like, private industry, service providers, and the Office of Aging.

Department of Transportation Grant

Obtained a $32,000 grant from the State Department of Transportation to purchase a 15-passenger van for the Coordinated Services for the Elderly program. Delivery of the van will take place during

FY 2000-01.

Older Americans Act Awards

Provided $70,000 to the Coordinated Services for the Elderly program to purchase four replacement vans. These vehicles will be used to maintain current levels of transportation services throughout the island.

Provided a $15,000 grant to the Coordinated Services for the Elderly program to upgrade its computer system.

Community Planning Councils on Aging/Community Voices Project

Continued to support ten Community Planning Councils on Aging (CPCAs) in all major districts of the Big Island. The CPCAs, which began in 1995, have completed a number of community-based projects, and are planning an island-wide conference in FY 2000. Among their latest accomplishments are the completion of the senior portion of the Kau Rural Health Plan, funded at $150,000 by the 1999 State Legislature, and the development of Disaster Kits for South Kona.

Also assisted the State Executive Office on Aging develop a statewide Community Voices Project which seeks similar community-based organizing, empowerment, and outcomes.

FasTRAK 60 Plus

Implemented the FasTRAK 60 Plus (FT60+) program designed to provide services to frail older persons within 24 hours—weekends, holidays, and evenings included. The FT60+ program includes five major components: intake, assessment, service authorization, service ordering, and case management. The Office of Aging works with Services for Seniors and various service providers to carry out the program, which has been very successful thus far.

Technical Support in Training

Carried out training and planning assistance to the agencies providing services to older persons, such as the State Dept. of Health, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and the State Executive Office on Aging.

Legal Support

Contracted with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (LASH) to provide limited legal services to needy elderly persons in Hawaii County. Part of the contract called for LASH staff to provide assistance and training on entitlement programs and the legal process and issues involving individual rights.

LASH staff also provided throughout the year, training sessions on elder abuse, adult protective services, public benefits, long-term care planning, the Mandatory Medicaid Recovery Act, and the Uniform Health Care Decision Act.

Department of Transportation Grant

Obtained a $32,000 grant from the State Department of Transportation to purchase a 15-passenger van for the Coordinated Services for the Elderly program. Delivery of the van will take place during

FY 2000-01.

Publications

Published 5,000 Information and Services Directors for Seniors, 1,000 Partners in Eldercare Network Directories, and 6 editions (3,000 copies each) of the Silver Bulletin newsletters.

Outstanding Older Americans Awards Ceremony

On May 19, 1999, 24 senior citizens and 4 organizations were recognized for outstanding achievements and services to their communities. In addition to the selection of 2 outstanding older Americans, 11 special awards were presented to outstanding senior nominees, and 4 partnership awards were given to organizations for their outstanding support of eldercare programs.

Outstanding Older Americans:

Ann E. Field-Gomes, Waimea

Joseph K. Yoshishige, Kona

Community Service Award:

Irene F. Paniku, Hilo

Richard C. Boyd, Hawi

Senior Activities Award:

Setsuko Tanaka, Kona

Kengo Nagasako, Hilo

Personal Achievement Award: '

Lily K. Hakekia, Pahala

Sueko H. Kimura, Hilo

Theodore L. Whip, HOVE

Golden Years Award:

Shizue Nakanishi, Kamuela

Harvey Cravaak, Kamuela

Partnership Award:

Dept. of Health, Hawaii District Health Office

Community Planning Council on Aging, Kau

Community Planning Council on Aging, S. Kona

Reser’s Fine Foods

Caregiver Resource Center

The services of the Hawaii County Caregiver Resource Center has resumed with the filling of the Office of Aging’s Program Specialist position in Kona. The Resource Center will initially focus on establishing a comprehensive caregiver database, restocking the caregiver library (books, periodicals, and video tapes), and establishing a training program for the year 2000 and beyond.

The Resource Center, in partnership with the Hawaii Community Caregiver Network, has already obtained information on the profiles and needs of 200 caregivers in Hawaii County. This amount will eventually reach 2,500 as caregiver training and informational seminars are presented throughout the island. For information on caregiver services, the public is urged to call the Caregiver Resource Center at 327-3597.

Advanced Information Management System

The Advanced Information Management (AIM) system continues to play a vital role in reporting, client tracking, and enabling staff to make decisions for the FasTRAK 60+ program. With the recent entry of nutrition risk assessments, staff can now measure outcomes of the congregate and home-delivered meals programs.

Workshops

The Office of Aging sponsored a one-day workshop entitled, "Creating Caring Environments for the Person with Dementia." The presenter was Louise Johnson, a registered nurse, who has provided consultations to more than 200 special care units for persons with dementia. Twenty-five caregivers and aging network personnel participated.

An informational workshop on the SageWatch program was also presented. SageWatch is a federal program to make the public more aware of Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse, which is estimated to be $20 billion annually. Richard Robinson from Blue Cross gave the audience practical information on ways to spot and report potential Medicare/Medicaid fraud and abuse.

The Office of Aging also co-sponsored the second annual Alzheimer’s Association’s educational conference on April 4, 1998. The title of the conference was "Dementia 98: Hope for the Future." The conference provided current information on Alzheimer’s disease, and ways to enhance the care of the patient and support caregivers.

Two Adult Protective Services (APS) workshops were conducted by staff of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. The purpose of the workshops was to update service providers on the recent changes to the APS laws.

60-Second Service Survey

At the end of FY 1999, mailed 3,000 60-Second Service Surveys to older persons receiving services through contracts from this office. The purpose of the survey was to determine client satisfaction, and to allow recipients an opportunity to provide feedback on services received. Results will be tabulated in August 1999.

Committee on Aging

A Committee on Aging, appointed by the Mayor, assists the Office of Aging in carrying out its planning responsibilities. The majority of its members are over the age of sixty and represent major districts of Hawaii County. The following are its members:

Senior Representatives

• Shigeko I. Chang, S. Hilo, Chair

• Henry Dulan, N/S Kohala, Co-Vice Chair

• Robert A. Pennington, Upper Puna/Kau, Co-Vice Chair

• Alwin Campainha, S. Hilo

• Colleen Fuhrmann, Upper Puna/Kau

• James Ota, N/S Kona

• Tom Poy, N. Hilo/Hamakua

• Daisy U. Smith, Lower Puna

• Pearl L. Wong, S. Hilo

• Harold Bugado, Hawaii County Elderly Activities Division

• Billie P. Keawekane, Alu Like

• Roland Kleger, Alzheimer’s Association

• June T. Kunimoto, State Department of Health

• Derek M. Kurisu, Business

• Larry Manliguis, Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council