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When senior citizens exercised in Wallace Roig's class at Waipahu District Park, they always left with a smile, his wife, Saiwun, recalls. But in 1999 he was paralyzed by a stroke and could no longer teach the class. The new Waipahu Community Adult Day Health Care Center and Youth Day Care Center was dedicated yesterday and includes a room honoring Roig. The center aims to continue his legacy of keeping the community's seniors active. Health Care for All will operate the adult day health care program at the Hikimoe Street facility, and Oahu Head Start will also use the 6,000-square-foot building for its preschool. For four hours a day, five days a week, seniors will participate in physical therapy activities like games and crafts and learn to stay independent at the Waipahu Adult Day Health Care Center. The center may provide transportation and lunch. The program costs $65 a day for seniors with Medicaid, and $75 for those without. "Our goal is to provide assistance for daily living so the elderly can enjoy life and be cared for," said volunteer director Raubane Kirimaua. "It's almost like baby-sitting for older people, but we care for their medical needs." The program will help adults continue to live at home instead of at a long-term care home, which can be expensive, he said. The center plans to open next month to 10 seniors. When the programs finds more funds to pay staff and operating costs, it hopes to help 80 seniors a day. The $3 million, air-conditioned building includes a large multipurpose room, kitchen, shower, administrative offices and large rooms for the preschool. The building was constructed and furnished with $2.7 million from the city and a $245,000 grant from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, said Sen. Cal Kawamoto (D, Waipahu). The state is leasing the property for $1 for 39 years, he said. Other community organizations can rent the buildings in the evenings and on weekends. Oahu Head Start offers preschool programs to the community at a low cost. Director Roland Gella said they are happy to be in the large room next to the senior program. He hopes families can take advantage of both programs by sending the children to the preschool and older adults to the senior program. Mercedes Devera, who attended yesterday's dedication, worked in other care homes and has seen seniors' needs ignored by their families. She said she hopes the community will take advantage of the senior program. "Your mom took care of you when you were young. It's your turn to take care of her." Families interested in the Waipahu Adult Day Health Care Center should call 595-3038. Copyright
© 2002 Global Action on Aging |
