By Staff Reports
(Maui)– Older adults and paid and unpaid caregivers are asked to complete an online survey, the County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Services (DHHS) announced. The results of the two surveys will be used to help guide future County, State and Federal funding through the Maui County Office on Aging four-year plan.
The surveys may be taken online at www.mauicountyADRC.org; paper copies of the surveys are also available through the Maui County Office on Aging (MCOA), ph. 270-7349 or 270-7755. Online and completed paper surveys will be accepted through April 11, 2015; all survey responses are anonymous.
The Maui County Office on Aging asks older adults and caregivers, both paid and unpaid, to complete an online or paper survey to assess needs and funding priorities for programs. Photo courtesy: County of Maui
The two surveys are targeting two main groups:
Older Adults- individuals age 55 years and older living in Maui County (current residents including part-time residents)
Caregivers- individuals who are helping another with various activities such as bathing, cooking, cleaning, laundry, rides to doctor appointments, translation, bill payments, etc. The three types of caregivers who should complete the surveys are:
- An unpaid caregiver for an adult age 60 and older;
- An unpaid caregiver for an individual age 18+ with a disability; or
- A guardian of a younger person (can be a grandparent/relative raising grandchildren, hanai, or other arrangement)
For all three caregiver categories, individuals do not need to be blood-related. A caregiver often lives with, or nearby, but some caregivers live far away and can offer assistance via telephone or computer.
Respondents are asked to only complete one survey per corresponding status/role, with a maximum of two surveys if a person is both an older adult and a caregiver.
The results of the survey data will be reported in the four-year plan produced by MCOA later this year, which will outline how MCOA intends to meet identified goals and activities with the funding it receives. The plan is shaped by demographic information, community needs assessment (focus groups and surveys) and growing trends experienced by the communities on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The plan also addresses issues as described in the Older Americans Act with regard to assisting those who are the most in need, socially and financially.
To meet increased needs of the growing demographic of older individuals in Maui County, the Office on Aging provide a number of programs including Kupuna Care and Title III support services, as well as new ones like safe discharge from hospital settings, participant-directed community care, medication management support and health promotion programs (Better Choices, Better Health and EnhanceFitness). MCOA expects to also offer Veterans Directed home and community based services in the near future.
For questions about the two surveys, the area plan and/or the Office on Aging, please call ph. 270-7349.