In our profession of caring for the elderly, we use so much job-related terminology that we forget that people outside of our specialty do not understand our lingo.

This article will try to provide in layman’s terms a guide to our County’s eldercare services.

A major focus of services developed through the Hawaii County Office of Aging is assisting senior individuals to remain independent.

In this article, we’ll briefly cover:

• Caregiver services

• Respite services

• Long-term care services

• Case Management

• Home Modification

• Transportation

• Opportunities for Seniors

The word "caregiver" is something you hear a lot. Who qualifies as a caregiver?

A caregiver is anyone providing support to an individual unable to properly care for themselves. If you are helping someone with grocery shopping, paying bills, providing transportation to doctor’s visits, or cooking meals, you are already a caregiver. A caregiver can be a family member, friend, volunteer or paid professional.

The time spent caregiving can range from less than an hour or two a week to round-the-clock care. The role of a caregiver generally evolves over time and is a huge responsibility. It can have a significant and profound impact on your life.

Information about caregiving is provided through the Office of Aging’s Caregiver Resource Center, located in the Kona branch of the Office of Aging at Hanama Place. Services. They provide information about finding a caregiver as well as advice to caregivers. You can contact them at 327-3597.

Caregivers need a break like anybody else. That’s where respite services enter the picture. Respite services refer to any service that provides some form of relief for caregivers. Services range from provision of personal care and adult day care services to provision of chore services to provide needed rest or time-off from caregiving responsibilities.

The Hawai`i County Office of Aging acts as a clearinghouse for information about access to long-term care. Long-term care includes in-home nursing as well as nursing home care. For information and referrals, call the Office of Aging at 961-8600.

In addition to the Office of Aging, the lead agency in Hawai`i County for providing direct information and referral services is the Coordinated Services for the Elderly Program, which is under the auspices of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Coordinated Services provides older persons and their caregivers with current information on what opportunities and services are available within their communities, to assess the problems and capacities of the senior individual, and link the individual to the opportunities and services that are available. The aim is to ensure that the senior individual receives these services and is aware of the opportunities available. Coordinated Services for the Elderly is at 961-8777.

Case Management services provide nursing and/or social services assessments that are incorporated into care plans for individuals with multiple or critical needs.

Case managers implement these care plans, provide service linkage (securing services, arranging services, coordinating the provisions of services among providers), monitoring, and providing follow-up and reassessment as needed.

Case Management services are provided through Services for Seniors and the state Department of Health’s Case Management Coordination Project. For further information, call Services for Seniors at 935-1144 or Case Management Coordination Project at 974-6025.

Home Modification is a service to help older persons to remain independent. A senior individual should contact Services for Seniors at 935-1144, whose personnel will visit and make an assessment of what is needed to improve the person’s mobility, safety, and accessibility. Based on that assessment, Services for Seniors will procure adaptive devices such as grab bars and shower stools. While Services for Seniors will deliver the equipment to the senior’s home, the senior must individually arrange for installation. To start the process, call Services for Seniors at 935-1144.

Transportation services provide curb-to-curb transportation for older persons who cannot or do not drive. The Department of Parks and Recreation’s Coordinated Services for the Elderly offers transport services for seniors primarily to medical appointments. For further information, call Coordinated Services for the Elderly at 961-8777.

Opportunities for Seniors

• Volunteer Opportunities provide opportunities for seniors to volunteer their skills or interest in service to our community. In Hawaii County, the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides this much-needed and valuable service that benefits both the volunteer and numerous community agencies. For further information, call 961-8730 in Hilo or 322-1812 in Kona.

• Senior Employment provides subsidized part-time job opportunities for qualified seniors. For further information call the Senior Employment Program at 961-8750.

Any interested person can request a free copy of the Information & Services Directory for Seniors published by the Hawai`i County Office of Aging.

For more information about eldercare services in Hawaii County or elsewhere in the State of Hawaii, contact the Office of Aging at 961-8600 (Hilo) or 327-3597 (Kona).

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Effective September 15, 2004, the NEW HILO LOCATION for obtaining a disabled parking placard is: 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 8 (the old J.C. Penney’s). Applications for placards are available at this new site.

Hours of operation are from 7:45 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Applications are also available at all doctors’ offices islandwide; the Office of Information at 25 Aupuni Street, #217 in Hilo; and the Mayor’s Office, 75-5706 Kuakini Hwy. (Hanama Place, #103) in Kona.

For further information, call the County Office of Information at 961-8316.

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AFFECTED AREAS: HAINA WATER SYSTEM; HAMAKUA

LAUPAHOEHOE WATER SYSTEM; NORTH HILO

Due to ongoing dry weather conditions and exceptionally large water consumption in both areas; and, due to repairs to the Laupahoehoe Well for Affected Area #2, the Department of Water Supply would like to notify consumers in the Affected Areas that they are under Water Conservation. Water Conservation Notice is a voluntary action to reduce water usage by 10%.

AFFECTED AREAS: KUKUIHAELE WATER SYSTEM; SOUTH KOHALA

MAKAPALA-NIULI WATER SYSTEM; NORTH KOHALA

Due to ongoing dry weather conditions and exceptionally large water consumption, the Department of Water Supply would like to remind consumers in the Affected Areas that they are under Water Conservation. Water Conservation Notice is a voluntary action to reduce water usage by 10%.

To reach the 10% reduction goal, here are a few tips:

• Wash full loads of laundry only.
• Wash full loads of dishes only.

• Serve drinking water only when requested.

• Do not let the faucet run unnecessarily.

• When bathing, use water only to wet and rinse off.
• Do not fill up the bathtub.

• Use a glass to rinse when brushing your teeth.

• Do not flush toilets unnecessarily.

• Stop lawn sprinkling.

• Stop car and boat washing.

• Stop dust control watering.

• Use drinking water wisely.

Agricultural users should irrigate only at night from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This measure reduces water loss due to evaporation and minimizes water system drain during peak demand.

For more information, please contact Dennis Lee at the Department of Water Supply at 961-8790.

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Or call our 24/7 Job Hotline: 961-8618

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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Brazilian Planning Wizard Jaime Lerner Gives Talk at HawCC Sept 29

Internationally-renowned urban planner Jaime Lerner will speak in Hilo on Sept. 29 at 12 noon at the UHH/HawCC Campus Center, Room 301.

Lerner served as mayor of the city of Curitiba, Brazil for three terms in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and was later elected governor of the Brazilian state of Parana. He has won several international awards as a planner.

His city, Curitiba, is world-famous as an example of environmentally-sound land use planning and development, and has been called by some "the world’s most livable city". The city grew from a population of about 150,000 in the 1960’s to about 1.6 million today, while creating a quality of life far superior to most cities in the developing world.

Curitiba is perhaps best known for its bus system, with "tube" bus stops designed by Lerner. About 70% of commuters use the bus system.

The city developed according to a master plan that integrated the bus system with higher-density residential areas, and set aside parks and wetlands for open space. The city has some 90 miles of bike paths.

Lerner, currently the president of the International Union of Architects, also pioneered innovative programs to help poor street children, for recycling and for health clinics.

Lerner is coming to Hawaii as the featured speaker at the University of Hawaii Department of Urban and Regional Planning’s 30th anniversary celebration in Honolulu Sept. 25th, and will also speak at the "Lifefest" sponsored by Maui Land & Pine at Kapalua Sept. 26th.

For more information, call Chris Yuen at 961-8288.

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The County of Hawaii and its consultant Townscape, Inc. have completed the Ka’u to South Kona Water Master Plan Final Report, dated September 2004.

The Master Plan was initiated to address potential water sources and water distribution systems for the southwest portion of the Big Island. The objective was to develop a long-range plan to provide water for homes, commercial businesses and farmers in the Ka’u to South Kona region.

The plan is now available on the County of Hawaii website at: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/k2skwmp/info.htm .

Hard copies of the report will also be available at Pahala, Naalehu, and Kealakekua Public Libraries and at the Ocean View Community Association Center.

Townscape, Inc. wishes to thank everyone who contributed to this plan. We would also like to thank those who participated in the development of this plan, attended public meetings, and/or provided suggestions and help.

If you have any questions regarding the report, please contact Hilarie Keehne at 536-6999, ext. 103 or via email at hilariekeehne@townscapeinc.com .

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Back by popular demand! High-quality free mulch is now available at the new public pick-up area adjacent to the Kealakehe Transfer Station. The access to the new mulch pick-up area is directly across the street from the transfer station chutes. Residents may self-load mulch at the site from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week. Bring a pitchfork and help yourself.

Plenty of free mulch is also available at the Hilo Transfer Station which is open 7 days a week, 7:00am-5:00pm. The green waste pick-up and drop-off area is just past the entrance to the transfer station chutes on the right-hand side of the road.

The County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management sponsors the free mulch program. At this time, loading assistance for small vehicles is available only at the Hilo location and fees range from $10-$40 depending on vehicle size.

If you want to arrange for a large truckload to be delivered to your residence, business, or farm, from either the Hilo or Kona green waste processing sites, please call the Big Island Recycling representative at (808) 306-1876 to make those arrangements.

For more information about this program, please contact the County’s Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942.

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Compost tumblers rapidly break down greenwaste into useable compost for your lawn or garden.

Learn how to build your own compost tumbler from materials readily accessible islandwide. Class sponsored by Recycle Hawai`i at Kea`au Recycling & Reuse Center. Class fee: $10.

When: Saturday, Sept 25th –4pm-6pm.

For more information or to sign up for class, contact Recycle Hawai`i at 969-2012.

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Healthy and Hapai Events in October

Malama A Ho'opili Pono, a Department of Health initiative for mother and child health, will be holding the- East Side's 3rd Annual Healthy & Hapai/WIC's Breastfeeding Challenge on Saturday, October 2, 2004 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Maternal & Child Health/Family Health Agencies interested in reserving a booth, please call Haunani at 974-4291.

Malama A Ho'opili Pono will also hold a Healthy & Hapai Health Fair - Ka'u on Oct 30, 2004 (Halloween Saturday) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Na'alehu Community Center & Park. The event will feature fun, music, costume contests and much more. Maternal Child & Health Agencies interested in reserving a booth, call 939-2437 and ask for Pat or Sandy Lei.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

Where/Location: Napoopoo Road at Route 11.

What: Repaint white island and "STOP AHDEAD".

Where/Location: Napoopoo Road from Middle Keei Road to Pu’uhonua Road.

What: Repaint edge of pavement lines.

Where/Location: Walua Road at Kuakini Highway.

What: Layout intersection markings and thermoplastic centerlines.

Where/Location: Walua Road at Kuakini Highway.

What: Install thermoplastic edge of pavement lines and white island lines.

Where/ Location: Kaahumanu Place.

What: Adjust and repaint handicap stalls.

No projects scheduled.

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To reduce chance of injury from an inflating air bag, you should keep a distance of about one foot between the tip of your nose and the steering wheel. If necessary, adjust seat or use a cushion to increase this distance from the steering wheel.

In addition, children's car seats should always be in the back seat. The car seat should either face backward for children under 20 pounds or forward for children 20 pounds or more or who reach the age of one. For older kids riding in the front, set the front seat back as far as it will go to avoid injury from an inflating passenger side air bag.

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Motorists are advised of the following lane closures and work locations as contractors continue work on installing a conduit system for Sandwich Isles Communications in the Kaumana area.

From Monday, September 27th through Friday, October 1st, Willocks Construction will be boring and trenching in the following areas:

• Along Kaumana Drive between Chong Street and Akala Road – Lane Closures

The work will start at 8:00 am and continue until 3:30 pm, weather permitting. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes (Waianuenue Avenue/Akolea Road or Puainako Extension) to avoid traffic delays/congestion and allow for extra travel time.

Contractors are in their 13th week of work and estimate this project to be completed in November 2004.

Questions can be referred to Chuck Eckman (Resident Engineer), Mid State Consultants, at 640-9509.

Mahalo for your patience and cooperation.

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Kalaniana’ole Avenue between the Bay Clinic and Kea’a Street will be closed for Keaukaha-bound traffic on a 24-hour basis until further notice to allow for much- needed rehabilitation work on the County of Hawai’i sewer line.

Please note that Hamakua-bound traffic will remain open along Kalaniana’ole Avenue and local traffic both ways up to the Bay Clinic will be allowed.

Keaukaha-bound motorists will be detoured through Kamehameha Street and Silva Street while construction improvements are in progress. Please use caution when traveling through the area.

For additional information, please contact Isemoto Contracting Co., Ltd. at 935-3102 or the County of Hawai’i Wastewater Division at 961-8338.

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We encourage everyone to use web-based calendar links. Please add your own events to the respective calendars so others can get the word and not conflict with your plans.

County of Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl
State of Hawaii: http://www.state.hi.us/calendars.htm
Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau: http://calendar.gohawaii.com/
Hawaii.com: http://www.hawaii.com/live/
Alternative-Hawaii: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/calendar.htm
Kamuela.com: http://kamuela.com/calendar/default.asp
Hawaii Nonprofit Community Events (HCF): http://www.hcf-hawaii.org/hcf/hcfg/comcal.jsp
Hawaii Public Radio: http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/psa.htm
Hawaii Theatre Network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hawaiitheatre
UH at Hilo Theatre Events: http://performingarts.net/Theatre/seasoncalendar/calendar.pl
Waikoloa Village: http://www.waikoloa.org/WVCalendar.html
Public School (click on your school): http://doe.k12.hi.us/calendars0203/index.htm
Hilo Downtown Improvement: Go to www.downtownhilo.com (click on Hilo Activity Guide, and follow directions on how to submit an event.) For information call Alice Moon at 933-9772.
Prince Kuhio Plaza: http://www.princekuhioplaza.com/html/Events.asp

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