Bruce Bottorff

At the state legislature this year, AARP Hawaii is advocating for a 10 percent increase in funding for Kupuna Care to address the needs of the state's aging population. Kupuna Care is a state-funded, county administered program that provides home and community based services for older adults who need assistance at home.

Hawaii’s population is aging, and family caregivers are under growing pressure to help their loved ones live independently at home. In 2015 a number of elder advocacy groups joined AARP Hawaii is urging legislators to pass Senate Bill 296, which would help caregivers perform after-care tasks such as medication management and wound care when a patient comes home from the hospital.

During the holiday season and throughout the year, AARP is working in communities across the state to ensure that Hawaii residents have choice, control, and independence through every stage of their lives.

November marks National Family Caregivers Month, a time to recognize the 42 million Americans, including 247,000 family caregivers in Hawaii, who help care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones so they can remain at home – as opposed to costly institutions. In Hawaii, family caregivers provide unpaid care valued at a staggering $1.9 billion annually.

AARP Hawaii presents a free event designed to help residents of all ages improve their health and explore their Real Possibilities. Registration is now open for the event to be held at Ala Moana Hotel on Wednesday, November 14 (9 a.m. – noon).

A survey of older adults on Oahu ranks affordable home health care and housing among the greatest needs facing residents of the City and County of Honolulu as its population ages. The 2014 AARP Livable Communities Survey in Honolulu, Hawaii of Adults Age 45+ identifies the needs of older residents as well as gaps in community features and services.

AARP Hawaii and the Hawaii Occupational Therapy Association are sponsoring a free CarFit event in partnership with AAA Hawaii at Kaimuki High School on Saturday, November 1 (8 a.m. – noon). The event is designed to give older drivers a comprehensive check of how well they ‘fit’ their vehicle. It takes about 20 minutes to complete the checklist. The event is free and open to the public but registration is requested - call 545-6007.

AARP Hawaii sponsored a live, televised debate with leading candidates in the general election for governor on Tuesday, October 7. The debate featured Republican candidates Duke Aiona, Democrat David Ige, and Independent Mufi Hannemann.

AARP national President Jeannine English delivered the keynote presentation at the Hawaii Pacific Gerontological Society Conference on September 29, where she met with Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and donated a check to Honolulu’s Age-Friendly City initiative.

On this year’s general election ballot, Hawaii voters will consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would extend the mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 70 to 80 years of age. AARP Hawaii is urging a YES vote on this ballot measure.