PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Tammy Mori Brownfield
tammy.m.brownfield@kp.org
Nursing and physical therapy for homebound members to enhance quality of life in our communities.
HONOLULU — Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii has announced the launch of its Kaiser Permanente Home Health agency on Hawaii Island. The agency will bring nursing and physical therapy to homebound members on Hawaii Island.
Kaiser Permanente Home Health is designed for members who use an assistive device such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair, or who have a health condition that makes it difficult to leave home and are receiving care that can only be safely performed under the supervision of a skilled nurse or therapist. What initially started as a soft launch with a team of 1 nurse and 1 physical therapist at the end of April 2024 has quickly grown to a team of 6 health care professionals, with plans to continue expanding to meet members’ needs.
Kaiser Permanente Home Health agencies currently serve on Oahu and Maui. Kahu Danny Akaka Jr. led a traditional Hawaiian blessing of the Hawaii Island Home Health agency on Friday, July 12, 2024, for the home health team and the leadership team that supports their work.
“I want to extend my appreciation to Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii for its continued work to expand services and increase access to health care across our state,” said Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke. “Providing access to care, especially in our most rural areas, continues to be a priority to the governor and myself and we applaud Kaiser Permanente for extending its care beyond the walls of a health care facility and bringing exceptional care to the homes of our kamaaina.”
"Having skilled health care professionals care for our homebound residents significantly enhances the quality of life in our community," said Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth. "It is particularly meaningful when those providing these services are from Hawaii Island. This is why we are committed to partnering to further develop our workforce pipeline, ensuring that our local residents receive care from individuals who understand and share the roots and values of our island home.”
“This small but mighty team extends to all corners of Hawaii Island and will provide care to our members who need home care services. This team has demonstrated that they are willing to not only go the extra mile, but the extra 50 miles,” shared Ed Chan, MHA, RD, FACHE, market president for Kaiser Permanente in Hawaii. “We would also like to thank Kohala Home Health Care and Bayada Home Health for their partnership over the years and continued collaboration as we work together to provide these much-needed services to the people of Hawaii Island.”
“On any given day, there might be a nurse in Hilo providing wound care, a physical therapist in Waimea helping a member do mobility exercises following a joint replacement surgery, and a nurse in Kona helping a member manage a chronic condition such as diabetes,” said John Yang, MD, president and medical director, Hawaii Permanente Medical Group. “Removing the barrier of travel will have a life-changing impact for so many vulnerable members, in particular our kupuna and those who are homebound.”
“Home Health is a core and vital service in the health care system. Our Hawaii Island members and their families will now have expanded access to these services." said Angel Vargas, vice president, Kaiser Permanente Care at Home. “Our mission is to bring our patients home and allow them to safely remain at home. We strive to provide exceptional experience through safe, affordable, and highly reliable care.”
Kaiser Permanente has 3 locations on Hawaii Island: Kona Medical Office, Hilo Clinic, and Waimea Clinic, which together serve approximately 31,000 members.