HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

62

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS AND RECOGNIZING THEIR ROLE IN MAINTAINING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF HAWAII'S FRAIL AND VULNERABLE POPULATION.

 

 


WHEREAS, Hawaii is faced with enormous problems related to the delivery of long-term care services to its rapidly growing elderly and disabled population.  Those eighty-five years of age and older are in the fastest growing age group among Hawaii's elderly and they are also at the greatest risk of developing physical frailty and financial vulnerability and requiring hospitalization and long-term care services; and

 

WHEREAS, community-based caregivers administering adult residential care homes and adult foster homes provide a much needed service within Hawaii's acute and long-term care delivery systems to Hawaii's Medicaid program and to families throughout the State; and

 

WHEREAS, adult residential care homes and adult foster homes have long served as a non-institutional and less costly alternative, but many caregivers are now struggling to care for residents with much more complex health issues and personal care needs; and

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii has an acute shortage of nursing home beds, which has resulted in increased placement of nursing home level residents in extended care adult residential care homes and adult foster homes; and

 

WHEREAS, while small homes provide a community-based residential setting for frail seniors and are increasingly encouraged to accommodate residents with higher level of care needs, these small residential homes' ability to provide an optimal quality of care and life for the frail elderly will become increasingly important; and

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of the important role of adult residential care homes and adult foster homes, the Hawaii State Legislature passed Act 6, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008,  designating the first Saturday of November as "Caregiver Recognition Day"; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature is encouraged to continue to support and work in concert with caregivers to advance caregivers' initiatives and promote recognition and appreciation of their role as partners in the long-term care continuum for Hawaii's frail and vulnerable population; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governor, the Director of Human Services, and the Director of Health.

Report Title: 

Caregivers