Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center on Friday invited the public to tour its renovated facility and learn about new programs for kupuna.
Hale Anuenue in Hilo is a home away from home for residents in need of long-term care, subacute services, respite care and physical therapy and rehabilitation.
For the first time since 2018, Hale Anuenue is offering outpatient care and rehabilitation services for past residents and anyone else eligible for care.
After joining the staff in April, Executive Director Donna Okinaka has been working to revitalize the rehabilitation department and restart the outpatient care program.
“We want the community to know that even after discharge, we can still offer rehab for outpatient care. We can continue to serve the community,” Okinaka said. “Everyone is a prospective client as long as they are eligible, and we’re so excited to grow this service.”
Rehabilitation is a critical component of care plans, so Hale Anuenue has revamped the programs to help residents attain their maximum potential and restore abilities for independent living.
A team of physical, occupational and speech therapists evaluates the needs of each resident and designs an outcome-oriented treatment program.
One new piece of technology at Hale Anuenue to help residents improve mobility is the anti-gravity treadmill, which enables kupuna to walk without the pressure from weight.
New activities and programming also have been introduced to residents living at Hale Anuenue long-term and short-term, so there are more opportunities for socialization, fun and creativity.
“We’ve started hosting bingo two to three times a week. Residents can tap into their creativity with painting and pottery, and we have revamped our gardening group and give residents a chance to work in our outdoor garden area,” Okinaka said. “Everything changed with COVID, so it was important for us to focus on these activities as a way to help residents in their healing.”
The resident rooms are semiprivate but large, and each wing includes a gathering space for activities. Residents also are encouraged to eat together in the dining room.
Outside the facility, three open lanai lobbies allow residents to enjoy the outdoors while spending time alone or with friends and loved ones. One of them includes a koi pond where residents can meditate by feeding the fish.
“I love seeing them do karaoke. Some of our residents have the most beautiful voices,” said social services employee Chaz Hughes. “They also love it when the dogs come for pet therapy. Some of them have to leave their pets at home, so it’s an awesome program.”
There currently are 84 people staying at Hale Anuenue, although the center can house about 120. Okinaka hopes that the open house helps remind the community about their services and availability for kupuna in Hawaii County.
“Our goal is to provide quality care to our short-term residents and to make sure they can improve and go back into the community if they wish,” Okinaka said. “For long-term care, we want to make sure we provide a safe environment for them to adjust to this transition in their lives and give them the support they need.”
More information about the long-term care, rehabilitation, subacute care and respite care options can be found on the website at lcca.com/locations/hi/hale-anuenue.
Those interested in learning more about the outpatient program can call (808) 961-6644.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.