Kupuna Caucus & Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place meeting - September 4

The Kupuna Caucus and the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place will meet at 2:00pm on Friday, August 7, 2009 in state capitol conference room 229 to receive reports and updates on:٠Tax Preparation Services, ٠Kupuna Care and Preservation of the Safety Net, ٠Health Aging Partnerships, ٠Aging Disability Resource Center, ٠Senior Centers, ٠Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, ٠Website Posting of Care Settings, ٠Home for Life Task Force, ٠Paid Family Leave, ٠Funeral Trusts, ٠Long Term Care Commission, ٠Center on Aging at the University of Hawaii, ٠Leahi Hospital Master Plan, ٠Certified Nurses Aide Continuing Education, ٠Home Care Agency Licensing, ٠Adequate Medicaid Reimbursements, ٠St. Francis Staying Healthy at Home, ٠Quest Expanded, ٠Fall Prevention, ٠Federal Health Care Reform, ٠Integrating Care Homes in the Community, ٠Implementation of Adult Protective Services (Vulnerable Adults) Law,and ٠2010 legislation. The public is welcome.

Persons who wish to submit testimony or who have questions are asked to contact Senator Les Ihara's office at 586-6250. A copy of the JLCAIP notice can be found at:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/hearingnotices/HEARING_JLCAIP_09-04-09_INFO_.HTM

August 24 Meeting: Stay Healthy at Home

Click here to listen.

Notes from August Luncheon:

Jacob Silva: St. Francis “Staying Healthy At Home”

Staying Healthy at Home is a health and wellness program designed for healthy seniors as well as for seniors and individuals living with a chronic condition who enjoy their independence but may require assistance with daily activities. As an alternative to assisted living facilities and nursing homes, it acts as a one-call center for all the services you may need.

The annual membership fee of $600 per person, $900 per couple includes home safety evaluation, health screenings, weekly follow-ups, chronic disease management, pharmacist medication reviews, initial consultation for estate planning, invitations to educational seminars, volunteers to assist with errands and light housekeeping.

Other services such as yard service, transportation, adult day services, personal medical alert systems, bathing & personal services are available on a fee-for-service basis.

If a member is no longer able to stay at home, a social worker will help find an appropriate placement.

August 24 Program: Stay Healthy At Home

“The Graying of Hawaii” DVDs will be available again at the luncheon meeting. They are free.

MONDAY, August 24, 2009

11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Miyama Main Hall, Harris United Methodist Church
Nuuanu Ave. and South Vineyard Blvd.

Ample parking - driveway off Nuuanu Ave.

AGENDA:

11:30 Luncheon: Spinach Lasagna, by Karen Yim-Camarillo, Salad, Drinks, Dessert by Eloise, $5.00 Donation

11:45 Welcome: Introductions and Remarks, Larry Geller, President

12:00 Program: Jacob Silva, St. Francis Healthcare System, “Stay Healthy At Home,” an alternative for families contemplating use of long-term care facilities? Silva has 18 years of clinical and managerial experience in the military and private sectors in California and Hawaii. Since June 2006, he has served as nursing supervisor of St. Francis Home Care Services. He also worked at Kaiser Permanente and Tripler Army Medical Center. He continues to serve as an Army Nurse in the U.S. Army Reserves.

12:45 Questions and Answers

12:50 Announcements

1: 00 Adjourn

Small Victories!

by Tony Lenzer

The 2009 Legislative Session was a disastrous one for Hawaii’s elders, their families, disabled persons, and other vulnerable populations. The Legislature did not approve, or the Governor vetoed, legislation containing funding for many critical services. Nonetheless, four important bills were saved, either through Legislative overrides at the Special Session convened on July 15, or by the Governor allowing a bill to become law without her signature. However, the Governor has said she will not release any funds required by the bills.

House Bill 982: Establishes a new data collection system for family leave, and appropriates $10,000 from the disability benefits special fund for this purpose. Today, over one-fourth of Hawaii’s households have someone caring for a physically or mentally impaired older person. Over half of these caregivers are employed, and many indicate that their work is affected by caregiving responsibilities. Such data —from both the public and private sectors—is critical if Hawaii is to develop a 21st century family leave system.

House Bill 1504: Creates the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan to provide universal health care in Hawaii. Current estimates are that 10% of our population lack health insurance coverage. However, the percent of those under age 65 who lack coverage is much higher, possibly 25% or more. These include the growing number of part-time workers, as well as others not covered under Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act. Uninsured people strain Hawaii’s health resources, and sick people represent a loss of productivity for Hawaii’s employers and the State. Given the serious Congressional disagreements about financing, as well as the structure of such reforms, Hawaii would be well advised to move ahead with its own planning and later adjusted to fit whatever national reform legislation is enacted.

House Bill 1379: Creates a process for a patient to direct his or her end-of-life treatment via a standardized physician orders form. The form is signed by the patient (or surrogate) and the patient’s physician, and all healthcare providers (including EMS Personnel and ER physicians) are required to comply with properly executed and signed forms. This instrument provides clear and immediate direction for healthcare providers, especially for patients who do not have an advance directive, or whose advanced directive is not available when end-of-life medical decisions must be made.

Senate Bill 415: Requires the Department of Health to license home care agencies. These agencies provide personal care and homemaker assistance to disabled persons and frail elders, and respite care for family members. Demand has increased due largely to the number of disabled and frail elders. At present, anyone can open a home care agency simply by getting a General Excise Tax license. There are no criminal history checks, training requirements, or ethical standards required. Home care agencies, like other health providers, should meet minimal standards and be licensed.

Kupuna Caucus & Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place meeting: August 7

The Kupuna Caucus and the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place will meet at 2:00pm on Friday, August 7, 2009 in state capitol conference room 229 to receive reports and updates on:٠Kupuna Care and Preservation of the Safety Net, ٠Health Aging Partnerships, ٠Aging Disability Resource Center, ٠Senior Centers, ٠Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, ٠Website Posting of Care Settings, ٠Home for Life Task Force, ٠Paid Family Leave, ٠Funeral Trusts, ٠Long Term Care Commission, ٠Center on Aging at the University of Hawaii, ٠Leahi Hospital Master Plan, ٠Certified Nurses Aide Continuing Education, ٠Home Care Agency Licensing, ٠Adequate Medicaid Reimbursements, ٠St. Francis Staying Healthy at Home, ٠Quest Expanded, ٠Fall Prevention, and ٠2010 legislation. The public is welcome.

Persons who wish to submit testimony or who have questions are asked to contact Senator Les Ihara's office at 586-6250. A copy of the JLCAIP notice can be found at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/hearingnotices/JLCAIP_08-07-09_INFO_.htm