Currently, she said, her office only provides congregate participants with traditional services.
“The Office on Aging plans to look for a venue to have this new service available as soon as possible in order to accommodate older adults who are unable to function at home without supportive services,” she added.
Mondala said they have respite services that offer temporary, substitute support for elderly persons.
These, she added, provide a brief period of relief or rest for caregivers so they won’t be stressed out.
“This is done on a regular but staggered basis every Saturday or Sunday,” she said, adding that her office is also in charge of looking for a temporary reliever and giving incentives to caregivers.
Since nursing homes and adult day care services are not available in the CNMI, Mondala said the senior citizens are staying with their families or are living alone.
But under the ombudsman program, the Aging Office staff members conduct regular visits to the homes of the elders to ensure that their health, safety, welfare and rights are protected.
The state plan prepared by Mondala, Aging Office program coordinator Walter Manglona and Roselle Teregeyo was approved by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on July 7, 2011.
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin L.O. Faisao said the plan was developed in accordance with applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements.
Mondala said they have consulted with and gathered inputs from the congregates and other support groups while drafting the state plan.
She said the plan will provide direction for the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system of home and community-based services that allow senior citizens and older persons with physical disabilities to continue to live in their homes and community.
“The islands take pride in their elderly staying with their families despite their old age as they become the source of wisdom and are role models to perpetuate the island culture for the younger generation,” she added.
Mondala said the state plan includes a provision regarding emergency preparedness in view of natural or man-made disaster and health emergencies.
In addressing the needs of the CNMI’s aging population, she said their office has set goals and objective that are aligned with the Administration on Aging program.
The goals include empowering the manamko’ and their families “to make informed decisions about existing health and long-term care options and enable the senior citizens to remain in their own homes and community with high quality life.”
