HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0748.005 2004-2006
LINDA LINGLE PAT SASAKI
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GOVERNOR OF HAWAII 4~',ceae ~ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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CHITOME L. FUKINO, M.D. B Telephone
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH ( (808) 588-moo
Fax
STATE OF HAWAII (80) 5ee-0185
EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING
NO. 1 CAPITOL DISTRICT
250 SOUTH HOTEL STREET, SUITE 406
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813-2831
TESTIMONY TO THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
Councilman Stacy Higa, Chairperson
Testimony Supporting Resolution: RES 285-06 - Relating to the One Stop Aging
and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
April 19, 20006
9:00 a.m.
Individual Testimony of
Patricia Sasaki,
Executive Director,
Executive Office on Aging
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of Resolution: RES 285-06 - Relating
to the One Stop Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). This resolution
authorizes the lease of the Sun Sun Lau restaurant building to Hawaii County Office of
Aging to establish and operate the State's first ADRC.
The ADRC is part of a national effort to establish a single-entry, one-stop service that
will help people make informed decisions about long term services and options. In a
collaborative effort under the U.S. Health and Human Services, the Administration on
Aging (AoA) and the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services have awarded 43
ADRC grants throughout the U.S including Hawaii. Each grantee has received $800,000
for a three year period to initiate and operate the ADRC in its respective community.
The goal of the ADRC program is to empower individuals to make informed choices and
to streamline access to long term support which includes in-home care, community based
programs and institutional services such as nursing homes and other programs that are
designed to help the elderly and individuals with disabilities including the younger
population. In many communities, long term support services are administered by
multiple agencies, and have complex, fragmented, and often duplicative intake,
assessment, and eligibility functions. It is often difficult and confusing for consumers to
access information and navigate the long term care system. A single, coordinated system
of information and access for all persons seeking long term care support will minimize
this confusion, enhance individual choice and support informed decision making.
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The Executive Office on Aging (EOA) serves as the lead agency for Hawaii's ADRC
program and provides the project oversight. It is collaborating with the Hawaii County
Office of Aging and Honolulu's Elderly Affairs Division to launch this project in their
respective counties. Hawaii County Office of Aging will be establishing the first ADRC
site in Hilo. The former Sun Sun Lau restaurant is the proposed site for the Hawaii
County Office of Aging to begin operating the ADRC services. It is an ideal site that is
centrally located, and accessible with ample parking. There is sufficient space to lease to
other long term care service providers and programs such as the State Department of
Human Services' Medicaid unit and Center of Independent Living which can co-locate
on the same property. This truly can become a one-stop shop for consumers to drop in
and obtain assistance by trained staff. The ADRC services will also be accessible by
telephone, websites and other telecommunication methods.
We are very excited and supportive of the Hawaii County's initiative to be the first pilot
ADRC site for the State of Hawaii. Hawaii County's success will serve as the prototype
for future ADRC sites for all county and communities.
Thank you very much for this opportunity to testify in support of this resolution.