Overall native Hawaiians have the highest mortality of any ethnic group in Hawaii (Braun et al 1997) and though native Hawaiians account for only 7% of the total older adults in Hawaii nevertheless they face very special problems that until recently have been difficult to address. Issues of cultural acceptability as well as accessibility added to the regular medical problems faced by any elderly population. This session will explore the work of the Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna (Good Health and Living for the Elderly) program initiated by Alu Like, Inc., and implemented by Ke Ola Mamo, a native Hawaiian clinic on the island of Oahu where approximately 74% of Hawaii's elderly population reside. The Kupuna program is committed to improving the life and health of the elderly native Hawaiians. It provides culturally sensitive services that include outreach, education, early detection clinics and screening programs. By working with the native Hawaiian communities and neighborhoods, partnerships are developed with existing health care services in a collaborative effort to improve access to health care, thus empowering the native Hawaiian elderly. This session will conclude by suggesting how the program can be strengthened and its principles applied to other indigenous elderly populations.
Learning Objectives: by the end of the session the participants will be able to identify key health problems facing native Hawaiian elderly. By the end of the session participants will be able to assess the applicability of the Kupuna Program to empower native Hawaiian elderly
Keywords: Elderly, Indigenous Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.