Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 9, 1 September 1989 — Lunalilo Home renovates for better care of kupuna [ARTICLE]

Lunalilo Home renovates for better care of kupuna

Now underway at Lunalilo Home, a residence for elderly Hawaiians, is a long-overdue two-year renovation program that will refurbish all the living quarters in the 50-year old building. The renovation of the first floor is expected to be complete by the end of October, and at that time the adult care home will accept additional residents, says new general manager Gregg Meyer, who was hired in June. Lunalilo Home was established in 1874 asaresidential home for aged Hawaiians by King William Charles Lunalilo and funded by his estate. Onee located in downtown Honolulu, it moved in 1885 to the slopes of Punchbowl, then to its current loeation in 1927 in what is now Hawaii-Kai.

Lunalilo Home now houses 40 residents aged 55 to 102. During the renovation period, Meyer was careful to explain, the home is taking steps to minimize inconveniences to current residents. After renovation is complete, it will be able to house up to 55. Applications are now being accepted for new residents, Meyer said. Applicants must meet these criteria: • residents must be Hawaiian, • residents must be ambulatory, that is, able to move themselves around. Meyer said residents who are self-powered in a wheelchair and who ean get in and out of the chair on their own are accepted. (There is an elevator and staircase in the two-story building.) • residents must be continent. To apply, write Lunalilo Home at 501 Kekauluohi St. Honolulu, HI 96825, or eall 3951000 for an admission form. The applicant and his or her family must fill out the form, and submit it with a medical examination report. The director of nursing and general manager will review the forms to determine the applicant's physical and mental condition. The cost to residents for room and board and complete services provided is $1,400 per month. Services include: • semi-private bedrooms (there are a few wards) • bathing assistance if needed • daily laundry and linen service • dressing assistance • three meals a day plus snacks • daily health monitoring, and supervision of medication • a RN director of nursing, two other RNs and and one LPN on staff • a staff physician on-eall 24 hours a day • a dispensary assistant • 12 attendants on staff round the eloek