THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

114

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the university of hawaii system to examine the feasibility of re-establishing the advanced certificate in gerontology program, to create a research education and mentorship program to support research on aging, and to build capacity to meet the aging-related work force needs of the state.

 

 


     WHEREAS, a profound demographic change is taking place in most countries, with a large proportion of the population living longer; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's population is aging faster than the national average; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii residents have the longest life expectancy in the nation; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, by 2023, twenty percent of Hawaii's projected population of 1.4 million will be 65 years of age or older; and

 

     WHEREAS, as the number of elderly citizens in Hawaii increases, so will the need for more caregivers and a highly skilled caregiver work force; and

 

     WHEREAS, the current shortage of appropriately trained and educated caregivers at all skill levels will only worsen in the years ahead; and

 

     WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii System is key to helping prepare students and professionals for careers in caring for and assisting Hawaii's aging population; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the University of Hawaii System is requested to:

 

     (1)  Examine the feasibility of re-establishing the Advanced Certificate in Gerontology Program to help prepare students and professionals for aging-related careers;

 

     (2)  Establish a Research Education and Mentorship Program within the Center on Aging to support professors who are conducting aging-related research; and

 

     (3)  Explore ways to build greater capacity at the community college level in developing and training direct care paraprofessionals, professional caregivers, and family caregivers to meet the needs of the increasing aging population in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the University of Hawaii System is requested to report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii Center On Aging, and the Executive Office on Aging.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

University of Hawaii; Center on Aging