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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFY 2026 (Agency on Elderly Affairs) AGENCY ON ELDERLY AFFAIRS FY 2026 BUDGET AND OPERATIONS SYNOPSIS Emily Ishida Executive on Aging 1 Department: ELDERLY AFFAIRS Fund: GENERAL FUND 1. FY 2025 to FY 2026 BUDGET COMPARSION FY 2025 FY 2026 $ + / - % + / - Salary and Wages 735,105 690,794 -44,311 -6.0% Benefits 784,696 775,190 -9,506 -1.2% Utilities 0 0 0 0.0% Vehicle/Equip, Lease 1 1 0 0.0% Operations 573,816 1,411,581 837,765 146.0% 2,093,618 2,877,566 783,948 37.4% 35% 38% 0% 0%27% FY 2025 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 24% 27% 0%0% 49% FY 2026 Operating Budget Salary and Wages Benefits Utilities Vehicle/Equip, Lease Operations 2 2. MAJOR CHANGES AND/OR VARIANCES IN OPERATIONS BUDGET For FY26 the increase in operations of $837,765 is primarily due to supporting the efforts in addressing Kupuna Care’s two core programs: home delivered meals and in-home services that provide older adults with access to quality home and community-based services that are person- centered which allow them to live at home. It also includes supporting caregivers from preventing burnout as they work and provide care for their loved ones. The funds also address the RSVP volunteer mileage as well as the EnhanceFitness programs. The decrease in salaries and benefits are associated with changes in personnel. To ensure we are adequately positioned to meet future obligations, we have made a strategic decision to increase the allocation of our Other Post-Employment Benefits account across the board. This will provide for flexibility in addressing any potential increases. This increase is offset in the overall decrease in benefits. 3. OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES Our primary operational challenge has been funding to ensure our most vulnerable population is provided access to the basic core community-based services including home delivered meals and in-home services (comprised of homemaker, personal care, respite, chore and assisted transportation). There has been a steady increase in the number of elderly in need of these services and a substantial decrease in funding sources from both the federal and state in the past fiscal year. Currently there are 193 consumers receiving home delivered meals, with a waitlist of 48, and 97 consumers receiving in-home services and 83 on the waitlist. The proposed budget item would provide more opportunities for our elderly consumers to receive home delivered meals and in-home services and eliminate our current waitlists. The increase in demand for these core services can be attributed to the aging population living longer, with less family support, and includes the fact that we have switched to a new home delivered meals provider. This transition has increased the quality of meals and service provided to consumers. We recognize the importance of continuing to provide services to meet the needs of the consumers and keep the waitlist for these essential services at a minimum. Providing proper nutrition services and in-home services to this vulnerable population is crucial for maintaining adequate health including preventing malnutrition and managing chronic conditions. Volunteers are reimbursed with the average cost per month at $2,200, and $26,400 annually. There has been a consistent increase in volunteers requesting mileage, with the average 3,284 miles requested per month. Fuel prices have been increasing over the years, along with rising costs associated with transportation. There are four in-person EnhanceFitness classes that are offered throughout the island as well as one virtual. The unit rate to recruit and retain the current pool of instructors, including the Master Trainer, increased from $50 to $75. All group fitness certified instructors along with the Master Trainer are contracted by the Agency on Elderly Affairs, however, there continues to be a shortage of instructors available. There will be another training in April to recruit new instructors and continue promotion of the program. The Healthy Aging Programs have not received state funding since 2019, and therefore we are grateful for the continued support received to sustain this evidence-based program as it continues to improve the physical and psychological functioning in 3 older adults and helps to prevent functional decline. 4. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM FY 2024 Operational highlights in FY25 include AmeriCorps Seniors members of RSVP, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. 45 governmental and nonprofit agencies enjoy the benefits of having Kauai RSVP volunteers doing a variety of activities for their organizations. During the current fiscal year, July 2024 -December 2024, 169 volunteers served 9,195 hours valued at $307,849. Kauai RSVP volunteers are integral in providing services in the community. 12 RSVP volunteers are involved in the AARP Tax-Aide Program, from February to April, they prepare Federal and State tax returns, in Kekaha, Kaumakani, Hanapepe, Kalaheo, Koloa, Lihue and Kapa’a. In 2025, they estimate that they will prepare returns for 600 individuals and families. Other programs that benefit from a large presence of Kauai RSVP volunteers include the Hanapepe Library (23), the Hawaii Food Bank (30), the Kauai Independent Food Bank (28) and the National Tropical and Botanical Gardens (24). With a focus on ‘Healthy Futures’ many volunteers participate in food preparation, packaging and delivering of fresh fruit, vegetables and food to people in need in our community. As older adults continue to face unique challenges due to age-related health conditions, it is crucial to ensure they are adequately equipped to handle emergencies in case of future health crises and recognize the significance of staying connected. We continue to enable and support older adults to access more resources and services digitally by continuing our partnership with Kupuna Connections where elderly receive personal support with devices and technology. A variety of classes are offered island-wide with an array of topics including password protection, scams, access to telehealth/healthcare, and other digital services. Approximately 348 kupuna attended these sessions with several participants being over 90 years of age. For a variety of reasons many older adults lack connected devices and internet access which can lead to loneliness and social isolation. Enabling older adults to access more resources leads to increased independence, autonomy, and improved cognitive health.