HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	21
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Urging THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH and DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO work together to DEVELOP A standardizeD, UNIFORM, INDUSTRY-FRIENDLY policy to protect the elderly without compromising resident care, and that encourages more people to become ADULT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME OR ADULT FOSTER HOME OPERATORS.

     WHEREAS, adult residential care home (ARCH) and adult foster home (AFH) operators provide an invaluable service to the greater community; and

     WHEREAS, ARCH and AFH operators save taxpayers substantial sums of money that would otherwise be expended for the care of the elderly and disabled if they were to become wards of the State; and

     WHEREAS, many operators are beset by tough challenges such as the high cost of liability insurance that threaten their continued existence; and

     WHEREAS, caring for ARCH and AFH operators' clients is a profession that is becoming increasingly necessary in the face of Hawaii's ever-expanding elderly population; and

     WHEREAS, with the rising cost of living in Hawaii it has become increasingly common for multiple family members in a home to hold down several jobs leaving little time for the 24-hour care of an aging relative, increasing the need for ARCH and AFH facilities; and

     WHEREAS, many of the large assisted-living facilities are well beyond the financial reach of some families who need assistance with a loved one; and

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that by the year 2020, one in four persons in this state will be over the age of 60, illustrating the critical need for ARCH and AFH operators; and

     WHEREAS, ARCH and AFH operators provide for all aspects of a person's needs from scheduling of doctor's appointments or physical therapy programs to providing social interaction with those residents who no longer have family near to them to visit; and

     WHEREAS, there are situations where the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) are involved in licensure, inspection, and enforcement of ARCHs and AFHs; and

     WHEREAS, an ARCH or AFH that cares for chronically ill residents needing skilled nursing care will be subject to DOH's medical-based guidelines and DHS's policies based on a social services point of view; and

     WHEREAS, subjecting ARCH and AFH facilities to two sets of rules and policies causes confusion, which may negatively influence a resident's care, and cause frustration to employees in jobs that are inherently stressful; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that DOH and DHS are urged to work together to develop a standardized, uniform, industry-friendly policy to protect the elderly without compromising resident care, and that encourages more people to become ARCH or AFH operators; and

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

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Adult Residential Care Homes; Adult Foster Homes; DOH / DHS Standardized Policy