AGING NETWORK
Hawaii’s Aging Network
The federal Older Americans Act (OAA) as amended in 2020, created a network of federal, state, and local agencies to plan and provide services that enable older adults to live independently in their homes and communities, and also to provide family caregiver support services; this infrastructure is known as the “Aging Network.”
- Administration for Community Living (ACL)
- The Administration for Community Living was created in order to achieve several important objectives: to reduce fragmentation that currently exists in federal programs addressing the community living service and support needs of both the aging and disability populations; to enhance access to quality health care and long-term services and supports for older adults and people with disabilities; to promote consistency in community living policy across other areas of the federal government; and to complement the community infrastructure as supported by both Medicaid and other federal programs, in order to better respond to the full spectrum of needs of seniors and persons with disabilities. (Federal Register Vol. 80, No 105, Tuesday June 2, 2015/Notices).
Federal Region 9- The Region 9 office of the Administration for Community Living, located in San Francisco, provides technical assistance to the Executive Office Aging.
State Unit on Aging (SUA)- Executive Office on Aging is designated as the State Unit on Aging in the State of Hawai’i. Executive Office on Aging serves as the lead advocate, planner, and facilitator relative to all aging and family caregiving issues in the State of Hawai’i.
Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs (PABEA)- Executive Office on Aging receives community input through the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs. The PABEA membership consists of older adult consumers, service providers, and others in the field of aging. The Governor, with the consent of the State Senate, appoints all members, except ex-officio members. Ex-officio members are selected from various state departments that work closely with EOA on matters pertaining to aging and family caregiving. The majority of the membership must be age 60 or older, and at least one member must be from each county.
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
- Each county in the State of Hawai’i has an Area Agency on Aging. Each AAA is responsible for planning, developing, and administration of services to older adults and family caregivers residing in their distinct geographic planning and service area.
Elderly Affairs Division (Honolulu) (808)768-7700 • elderlyaffairs.com- Hawai’i County Office of Aging (808)961-8626 Kona (808)323-4390 • hcoahawaii.org
- Maui County Office on Aging (808)270-7774 • mauicountyadrc.org
- Kaua’i Agency on Elderly Affairs (808)241-4470 • kauaiadrc.org
Providers
Each Area Agency on Aging contracts with service providers in their geographic area. Services contracted include: chore services, adult day care respite, homemaker/housekeeping services, assisted transportation, legal assistance, attendant care, case management, congregate meals, personal care assistance, transportation, home-delivered meals, and family caregiver services.
Older Adults and Caregivers
The federal and state funding for services is available to assist older adults and family caregivers regardless of income. However, due to limited funding, special considerations are given to those older adults and family caregivers who have the greatest economic and social needs, focusing particularly on low-income minority, limited English-speaking, and the disabled.