Report Title:

Adult Day Health and Youth Day Care Center; Approp

Description:

Appropriates $350,000 for each FY for the Waipahu Community Adult Day Health Center and Youth Day Care Center.

 

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

457

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for the waipahu Community adult day health center and youth day care center PILOT PROJECT.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the long-term hospitalization of the frail and elderly and their institutionalization in nursing homes have contributed significantly to rising Medicaid costs. Additionally, individuals who are hospitalized and institutionalized suffer from a loss of independence and are at greater risk for developing disease and mental dysfunction than those who are able to remain in their homes. To address these problems, the State needs to provide the elderly and frail with health care services to prevent the development of serious, debilitating conditions and to facilitate and maximize independent living.

The establishment of an adult day health center would allow the elderly to obtain rehabilitation and wellness services in a noninstitutionalized, community setting. The departments of health and human services have supported the concept of an adult day health care center as an means to lower the costs of long-term care for the frail and elderly population and have indicated their willingness to examine ways of allowing those who are currently eligible and ineligible under the Medicaid program to qualify for adult day health services.

Adult day health care centers are a combination of health clinics and social service centers for the frail elderly or mentally and physically disabled adults age eighteen and older. The centers provide preventive medical care, transportation, dietary assistance, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social and recreational activities, psychological counseling, and health education programs. Participation is designed to prevent institutionalization of the elderly and disabled, allowing them to continue living productive and happy lives in their own communities. The centers provide needed respite from continuous care by the participant's family.

The Waipahu Community Adult Day Health Center and Youth Day Care Center began in March, 2002, and construction is expected to be completed by January, 2003. The center will offer a variety of rehabilitation and wellness services for adults and youth, and will include facilities for speech and physical therapy, medical examinations, social work services, and other activities. Landscaped grounds and gardens will allow for outdoor activities. Additionally, approximately one-fourth of the facilities will serve as a day care center, offering the opportunity for intergenerational activities that benefit both children and adults.

The Waipahu Community Adult Day Health Center and Youth Day Care Center is a pilot project of a combined adult wellness and intergenerational center that is the first of its kind in the State and perhaps the first in the western region of the United States. The Center will assist sixty elderly and frail adult clients. More than half will be of low to moderate income. The cost is projected to be $1,600 per month per client, compared to about $6,000 per month in a private nursing home. The Center will also serve as a youth day care facility that will offer the opportunity for intergenerational activities to benefit youth and adults. The Head Start Program will provide comprehensive preschool services at the Center for low-income children in the community. The project has the potential to become a state and national model for community-based solutions to the long-term care crisis.

The primary objectives of the Waipahu Community Adult Day Health Center and Youth Day Care Center are to restore or maintain optimal capacity for self-care to frail elderly persons and other physically or mentally impaired adults; and to delay or prevent inappropriate institutionalization. The program stresses partnering with the participant, the family, the physician, and the community to work towards maintaining personal independence. In some cases, individuals who are already institutionalized may be placed back in the community with the help of adult day care assistance and support services. Generally, participants attend from three to five days per week.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the operation of the Waipahu Community Adult Day Health Center and Youth Day Care Center pilot project for the period of two years.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $350,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the two-year operation of the Waipahu Community Adult Day Health Center and Youth Day Care Center pilot project.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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