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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct 25, 2017 MinutesHarry Kim Mayor County of Hawaii OFFICE OF AGING Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1055 Kino'ole Street, Suite 101, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720-3872 Phone (808) 961-8600 • Fax (808) 961-8603 West Hawai'i Community Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740 Phone (808) 323-4390 • Fax (808) 323-4398 COMMITTEE ON AGING MEETING MINUTES OF October 25, 2017 C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D. Executive on Aging 1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 10:00 by Meizhu Lui, Chair. 2. INTRODUCTIONS: Member Present: Chair: Meizhu Lui, Vice -Chair Donna Payesko, Lito Asuncion, Judy Bell, Frankie Stapleton, George Ito, Steve Ono, Chris Ridley, Jim Cisler, Tamila Singleton, Leonor Corpuz Ex -Officio Present: J Yoshimoto, Legal, Corporation Counsel Guest: Shirley Ito EXCUSED: Teana Kaho'ohanohano, Earl Tanaka, Rowena Tiqui, Ruth Raza, Aaron Ueno, Timothy Kitagawa ABSENT: Neil Gyotoku OFFICE OF AGING STAFF: C. Kimo Alameda, Luana Ancheta-Kauwe 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 25, 2017, MEETING: It was moved by Chris Ridley and seconded by Judy Bell and the committee respectively to accept the minutes. 4. COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: Meizhu Lui mentioned the Area Plan, Elder Safety/Abuse. Update on the ADRC move and legislative agenda, mostly on the federal level. 5. POTENTIAL MOVE TO KUHIO PLAZA M. Lui mentioned that the move to the Prince Kuhio Shopping Plaza that the administration updates was in the newspaper before the cabinet; perhaps Mayor Harry Kim wants it that way. The Department of Finance is looking at Safeway, less Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. An Area Agency on Aging Committee on Aging Minutes of October 25, 2017 Page 2 rent, renovations would be less, by consolidating many departments such as Office of Aging, County Housing and other departments. C. Kimo Alameda request that OA(?) would be near to Longs Drug Store for better parking, better access to the pharmacy. Just remain positive, central location to other services such as Social Security Administration office including other retail. Concerns are parking and security. The renovations were too expensive. The latest is that the office will stay put and perhaps buy the building and not move. Possible relocate to Kamana Senior Housing, space there to build a new space. Kimo's preference is to stay put because things are working well in the ADRC and it is best to leave it alone. Also we have the storage space. Jim Cisler mentioned that the central location for government services is always good; however, he will avoid Hilo at all costs and the location needs to be a convenient and comfortable as possible. It needs to be better orientation to what the entire community is looking for. Wood is accessible in many facets. Steve Ono mentioned that the Kupuna programs are filled right now; long-term may be an expansion of those programs. Tamila Singleton, Social Security Administration office mentioned that there are pros and cons at the Prince Kuhio Plaza. M. Lui mentioned that writing a letter to the Mayor and the state that we would like to be a part of the process. The Committee are not given the opportunity to offer input. We should at least be given the opportunity to offer input and be part of the process. A motion was called by M. Lui; J. Cisler move and Frankie Stapleton seconded and to write the letter to the Mayor; requesting more information; reminding the Mayor of the committee's presence and to ask that he seek input from the advisory committee. The Mayor and the Committee on Aging members should be part of the process. Letter to the Mayor and copy to Kimo. Committee to review and vote in the next meeting. 7. EXECUTIVE REPORT — C. Kimo Alameda C. Kimo Alameda explains why it takes 3 -years to complete the Area Plan. It was drafted and conditionally approved but the State took 3 -years to finally approve the Area Plan. It is a 4 -year plan from October 1, 2015 — September 30, 2019. From the top down (goals) and from the bottom up (how to meet the goals and objectives) and following it. I have been looking at the objectives except the ones the State was suppose to look at for us. The Hawaii County Office of Aging has met all possible goals. Having the State involved in the intake process causes delay. The business model, we are not comfortable with it and already in crisis. The response should be more timely. The State is currently assessing the process and realizing that the process is not working - now the process to change -the -process. All Counties are not happy and the State is listening. Today, the 5th goal, optimizing the health and safety, and independence of Hawai'i's older adults; disaster prep and abuse. The ADRC (Aging & Disability Resource Center) is in the middle, DOH (Department of Health) and DHS (Department of Human Services) are not getting along. Focusing on supporting caregivers. They get "burn out". The Safe Haven Program (brochure attached) — elder abuse equivalent of a domestic abuse shelter. Kimo went to the State and they had issues with it. The Request for Proposal (RFP) went out. HOPE Services responded and felt that they could manage the property. Over age 60 and at risk. The individual can stay up to 60 -days. HOPE Services finds safe housing through their case management. Discussed issues related to care homes (licensed and unlicensed). Tamila Singleton brought up what the Social Security Administration office does is to look out for "financial abuse". Checking up on representative payees. C. Kimo Alameda mentioned homeless seniors (12%) of the population. Community Paramedicine Program through the Fire Department helps in this area. 8. ZEROING IN ON ONE GOAL: OPTIMIZING HEALTH AND SAFETY: Elder Abuse — update by Timothy Kitagawa, State Adult Protective Services — unavailable for give a report. Disaster Preparation — Judy Bell mentioned that there is an issue with water on the West side of the island. Two of the five wells has been repaired. The Office of Aging has a good database that can reach out to the frail for water needs. Kimo addressed this issue with the Hawaii County Nutrition Program who delivers the meals and also addressed to the Department of Water and all is well. The neighborhood groups are working to organize themselves. Private organizations are stepping up to fill in the gaps in loss of funding. Hurricanes and nuclear planning. 9. LEGISLATIVE UPDATES: Jim Cisler, PABEA Jim reported that he was tracking eight bills. Two of the bills became law and an one became a resolution. Additional appropriation for Kupuna Care. The University of Hawaii Center on Aging, additional funding for Long-term Care Ombudsman program. The committee submitted a letter in spet of position to 9. SAMS Data Base Update — Horace Farr 10. Community Voices Councils — Pauline Fukunaga Partners in Eldercare Councils (PiE) 12. Other — None. a. District Reports — Community Voices Councils 1. 2. 3. B. Agency Report(s): None. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 6. NEW BUSINESS 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 8. ADJOURNMENT Meizhu adjourned the meeting at Respectfully submitted, Minutes submitted by: Donna Payesko p.m.; seconded by