Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 95 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to officially acknowledge the contribution of family caregivers and to make the support of family caregivers a state objective.

The Alzheimer's Association, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, ILWU Local 142, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure. One individual provided comments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the intent of the measure and submitted comments.

Your Committees find that family caregivers provide services that are invaluable to their families and to the State as a whole. Institutional long-term care is expensive and costly, but can often be avoided or delayed when caregiving is provided by the family. However, caring for an elderly or disabled family member is often physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. Your Committees find that the recognition and support of family caregivers is a worthy state objective.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 95 and recommend its adoption.