Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

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 Executive Office on Aging, the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Kokua Council, and one individual submitted testimony in support of this measure.

As the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs testified, our public policies and budgetary priorities need to keep up with our increasingly aging population and the consequential need for more community based services. As one family caregiver noted, appreciation for the heavy burden of caring for a loved one is welcome, however the recognition falls short of providing the practical assistance that is truly needed. This measure encourages the Legislature to make it an objective to support family caregivers to the extent possible in serving the long-term care needs of the State's aging population.

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.