HB2195 HD1

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2195
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. On July 1, 1999, the executive office on aging launched its statewide long-term care program called kupuna care. Kupuna care was developed in partnership with the county area agencies on aging to address the growing numbers of elders with long-term care needs.

Services provided by kupuna care are intended to help meet the needs of older adults who can live at home with adequate help from family or formal services including services such as adult day care, respite care, assisted transportation, attendant care, case management, chore, home delivered meals, homemaker, transportation, and personal care.

Kupuna care was designed to assist, not totally support, Hawaii's older adults to live independently, safely, and healthy for as long as possible. The care may be provided to United States citizens or legal aliens 60 years or older, not receiving other comparable government assistance and not residing in an institution, who need help with activities of daily living (eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring, and mobility). State funds cover the cost of services for those who cannot afford to pay. Voluntary contributions to the service provider are used to support the cost of care of additional clients.

In addition to the services provided to the elderly, kupuna care also assists the family caregivers of its elderly clients. As Hawaii's population ages, many more families will be providing higher levels of long-term care to frail and disabled older adults at home. An individual's role as family caregiver arises as suddenly as the care recipient's health declines, leaving family caregivers with an immediate need for services, but little preparation or education regarding who to contact for assistance or what services are available. In addition, family caregivers may not know who is capable or qualified to provide them with the services that they or the care recipients need. Family caregivers themselves need support services, including respite services and training, education, and counseling in areas such as caregiving and dealing with end-of-life issues. Kupuna care wants to expand its services and assist and educate family caregivers and help them cope with their role as caregivers to loved ones.

The purpose of this Act is to enable the kupuna care program to help maintain the quality of life of Hawaii's older adults and their family caregivers by increasing program funding.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the kupuna care program administered by the executive office on aging.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.