With goals to improve or maintain the quality of life for senior citizens in the Kawaihau district (Kapa’a) and to improve the seniors’ health and nutrition knowledge, two agencies have joined forces to offer a new program. Armed with a
With goals to improve or maintain the quality of life for senior citizens in
the Kawaihau district (Kapa’a) and to improve the seniors’ health and nutrition
knowledge, two agencies have joined forces to offer a new program.
Armed
with a grant from the Hawai’i Community Foundation, Kaua’i Economic Opportunity
Inc. (KEO) and the state Housing and Community Development Corporation of
Hawai’i are offering nutritious meals, nutrition and health education sessions,
recreational and leisure activities, and exercise instruction and strength and
flexibility training sessions.
Up to 25 seniors ages 55 and up can be
accommodated in the program, though it is likely no one would be turned away if
more than 25 showed up, said Cindy Duterte, director of the new health program
for KEO.
The program is offered at Hale Nana Kai O Kea, an elderly-housing
facility on the campus of Mahelona Hospital. But it is not limited to seniors
who live there, Duterte said. Any Kawaihau resident can take part in the
program, regardless of income, she said.
It is also likely that no senior
would be turned away in any case, even if they didn’t live in the Kawaihau
district, Duterte added.
To date, 17 seniors have enrolled in the program,
she said. Duterte anticipates the enrollment to increase, probably to 25 and
maybe above. The grant amount is for 25 participants.
The meals meet daily
recommended dietary allowances. Selections include roast turkey, mashed
potatoes, bread, vegetables, fruit and milk, and spaghetti with meat sauce,
vegetables, fruit and milk.
The grant allowed KEO to recently purchase
free-weights of three pounds or less for strength-training, large rubber bands
for resistance training for flexibility, a treadmill and an exercise
bike.
Staff Writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at [
HREF=”mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net”>pcurtis@pulitzer.net] or 245-3681 (ext.
224).
