National ADRC Overview

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is a one-stop source for long term care information and services for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers who need help in caring for a family member or loved ones. 

Sponsored by the U.S. Administration on Aging and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the National ADRC program was initiated in 2003 to improve access to long term care information so that consumers can learn about different care options and make informed decisions for a loved one who is elderly and/or disabled.   The ADRC helps those planning for their future long term care needs by offering an extensive library of articles, publications and website links with the latest news, services, products, assistive technology and public programs. 

Today, over forty-seven states including Hawai'i are engaged in establishing ADRCs in their communities.  For more information about ADRC sites in other states, visit the national ADRC website.

Hawai'i ADRC

In 2005, the ADRC project was awarded to the State of Hawai'i, Executive Office on Aging in partnership with the Hawai'i County Office of Aging of the Big Island, and the City and County of Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division on O'ahu.  These two counties served as the original ADRC pilot sites.

The Hawai'i County ADRC model is a physical site.  With additional funding support from Hawai'i County, the former Sun Sun Lau restaurant in Hilo was completely renovated to co-locate  Hawai'i County Office of Aging and other aging and disability agencies onsite.  Today, the Hilo site is opened to the public for information and assistance on a wide range of services such as adult day care, transportation, Medicaid assistance, legal aid, respite care and other programs in the community for elders and people with disabilities.

The Honolulu ADRC pilot site is a virtual model in which a comprehensive resource website was developed by the City and County of Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division in conjunction with Kaua'i County Agency of Elderly Affairs.  Additional state funding expanded the website to include all four counties.  In addition to this online access, consumers can contact any local ADRC site operated by the county area agencies on aging by phone or in-person for further assistance. 

Additional ADRC sites will include the Hamakua district of the Big Island, and the rural communities of Wai'anae, Hau'ula and North Shore on O'ahu.  Maui County Office on Aging and Kaua'i County Agency on Elderly Affairs are sponsoring agencies for the ADRC in their respective counties.  

The ADRC is a collaborative project funded in part by the U.S. Administration on Aging, and Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, State of Hawai'i, the Counties of Kaua'i, Maui, Hawai'i, and the City and County of Honolulu.
 

The ADRC project team includes staff from the Executive Office on Aging, Department of Health, University of Hawai'i, and the four counties Area Agencies on Aging.   Furthermore, the project is supported by consumers and community groups who provide public input and feedback on the Hawai'i ADRC development.  The State ADRC Advisory Board is comprised of representatives from aging and disability service agencies, health and long term care associations, university, community colleges and consumer advocacy groups. 

Hawai'i State ADRC Advisory Board

Sylvia Yuen, University of Hawai'i Center on the Family (Board Chair)
Sharon Ogawa, Hawai'i Long Term Care Association (Vice-Chair)
Barbara Kim Stanton, AARP Hawai'i
Elizabeth Meahl, Alu Like
Elizabeth Stevenson, Alzheimer’s Association- Aloha Chapter
Cheryl Mizusawa, Hawai'i Centers for Independent Living
Patty Johnson, Department of Human Services, MedQuest Division
David Frey, Dept of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division
Curtis Inouye, Dept of Health, Developmental Disabilities Division
Waynette Cabral, Developmental Disabilities Council
Coral Andrews, HealthCare Association of Hawai'i
Judy Paik, Disability Communications Access Board
Leon Richards, Kapi'olani Community College
Cullen Hayashida, Kapi'olani Community College
Rose Nakamura, Project Dana
Jon Masuoka, University of Hawai'i, School of Social Work
Kealoha Takahashi, Kaua'i County Agency of Elderly Affairs
Karen Miyake, City and County of Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division
Alan Parker, Hawai'i County Office of Aging
Deborah Arendale, Maui County Office on Aging
Noemi Pendleton, Executive Office on Aging