Hale Makua Implementing Visitor Restrictions

Hale Makua Health Services announced today that it will be limited visitors starting Monday, March 16, 2020 to both Hale Makua Kahului (472 Kaulana Street) and Hale Makua Wailuku (1540 Lower Main Street).

Home Health by Hale Makua continues to service its home-bound patients in need of skilled nursing and therapy services across Maui.

Adult Day Health by Hale Makua remains temporarily closed as the center is attached to the Kahului nursing home. Rehab by Hale Makua will temporarily halt providing outpatient occupational, physical and speech therapies as of Monday, March 16, 2020.

“During this COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic it is critical that healthcare providers caring for the most vulnerable population take every precaution possible to protect the health and safety of residents, clients, patients and employees,” Hale Makua executives announced.  “Hale Makua Health Services is making every effort to prevent this virus from entering its nursing and adult residential care homes,” leaders said today.

“In an abundance of caution for the safety of our kūpuna,” Hale Makua Health Services is requesting the public’s assistance in refraining from visiting Hale Makua unless visitation is needed for end-of-life situations or the mental well-being of a resident. Any visitors who meet this criteria will need to get prior approval from the nursing home Administrator prior to visiting. For individuals who have loved ones residing at Hale Makua, the organization encourages calling, emailing, texting, or video chatting during this time.

Hale Makua Health Services CEO, Wesley Lo said, “The CDC has done a careful review of the death rate in the elderly, especially those with dementia or chronic diseases. Experts recommend that we limit individuals from entering our building and make sure that sick employees stay home. Ensuring that we do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of all individuals in our care is our highest priority.”

There is a risk that people who appear healthy will enter nursing homes and infect residents. Hale Makua Health Services is following guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention for long-term care facilities, as well as the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, to discourage visitation and screening all individuals even before COVID-19 is identified in the community because of the ease of spread in a long-term care setting and the severity of illness that occurs in residents with COVID-19.

Hale Makua Health Services is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, established in 1946 to provide a home for elders who had no one to care for them or means to pay for care. It is one of Maui’s largest non-government employers with over 450 employees providing care for over 1,500 individuals on Maui annually. The organization’s continuum of healthcare programs include two nursing homes and rehab centers specializing in both in and out-patient physical, occupational and speech therapies; a home health care agency; an adult day health center; and an adult residential care home. For more information visit HaleMakua.org.