SB1194

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1194
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to caregiving.

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 cannot live at home without adequate help from family or formal services, and includes 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 cover United States citizens or legal aliens sixty years or older who are not receiving other comparable government assistance, who need help with activities of daily living (eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring, mobility) or because they have reduced mental capacity, and who are not residing in an institution. State funds cover the cost of services for those who cannot afford to pay. Kupuna care offers a reduced rate for those who can afford to pay only a portion of the service. Voluntary donations to the service provider are welcomed for any service provided and are used to support the cost of care of additional clients.

In addition to the services provided to the elderly, kupuna care also offers services for the family caregivers of their 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. For many family caregivers, their role as family caregiver arises as suddenly as the care recipient's health declines, leaving the family caregivers with an immediate need for services, but little preparation or education regarding who to contact for assistance or what services are available to them. In addition, the 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 to family caregivers to assist and educate them on and cope with their new role as a caregiver to a loved one.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure that this worthwhile program continues to maintain the quality of life of Hawaii's older adults and their family caregivers by:

(1) Appropriating funds to expand the program's in-home and access services for qualified care recipients; and

(2) Appropriating funds to expand services to family caregivers who often need assistance, education, and support to continue to care for their loved one at home.

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 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, to expand the kupuna care services program's in-home and access services to qualified care recipients and provide expanded services to family caregivers.

The sums 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, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________