In September 2017, Kula No Nā Po‘e Hawai‘i (KULA) initiated the Papakōlea Kūpuna Community Care Network (KCCN) Project, creating a one-stop shop for kūpuna and their caregivers. The purpose of KCCN is to serve Papakōlea kūpuna and their caregivers through the establishment and operation of a community health care network. To date, 95 kūpuna and caregivers, received programmatic services, through participation in a huaka‘i (excursion), workshops, or receipt of direct health care services.
In Spring 2018, Papakōlea homesteaders received Health Surveys and a Home Environmental Scan in the mail. “The Health Survey will be used to re-assess current health care needs of our kūpuna,” stated Adrienne Dillard, LSW, MSW. “Data gathered from the Survey will be used to create interventions, and assemble a CARE Team of staff, medical specialists, students, and/or volunteers, that will provide direct health care services in community. Every respondent that returns their completed documents will receive a modest gift card.”
Data received from the first survey in 2009, drove the development of in-home supportive care from medical professionals, nursing and social work students for kūpuna and their 'ohana. In addition, new community health and wellness programs such as PILI Ohana, Partners in Care, and Hula for Hypertension were also developed and operating today.
“Recently, we have seen a significant increase of kūpuna with Dementia, and want to identify other individuals in community that could benefit from resources we are creating. As we approach our 86th year of homesteading in Papakōlea, the Environmental Scan will help us identify housing and safety issues that would inhibit access to healthcare or emergency services,” continued Dillard.
For more information about KULA or the Papakōlea Kūpuna Community Care Network, contact Ms. Puni Kekauoha, Project Manager, or Mrs. Mahealani Austin, Project Coordinator, at 808.520.8997, e-mail kula.kupuna@gmail.com
KCCN is supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Native Americans, Social and Economic Development Strategies Program. Program partners include: UH Department of Native Hawaiian Health, UH Department of Geriatric Medicine, UH School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, Center on Aging, Kapi‘olani Community College, Islander Institute, Hawai‘i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, Nā Lomilomi o Papakōlea, and Papakōlea Community Development Corporation.
