By Andrea Wernli, Executive Director Hawaii Island Adult Day Care, Inc.
Even with all the good adult day care does for Hawaii Island, day care programs are under financial pressure. Government payments are much lower than what it really costs to provide care. For instance, Medicaid pays only $80 to $110 per person each day for adult day care in Hawaii, which does not cover wages or the 40% rising costs over the last 10 years which makes it hard to find and keep good staff.
Government contracts that cover the full costs of programs would not just keep current programs running. They would also: — Allow providers to offer competitive wages and retain trained staff; — Expand services to underserved rural communities; — Reduce hospitalizations and emergency room visits through preventive care; — Support family caregivers, reducing burnout and workforce dropouts; — Keep health care dollars circulating locally on Hawaii Island.