Lawmakers
propose measures to fight crime, improve well-being of elderly population
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Measures to
protect the safety of seniors and sustain the ability of frail elderly to age
in their homes with support services are the top priorities of the House-Senate
package of bills submitted this session by the Kupuna Caucus.
The
Kupuna Caucus consists of 54 House and Senate members and a broad range of
community organizations, government agencies and individuals concerned about
the well-being of seniors in our communities.
"These
measures are aimed at meeting the increased needs of our seniors, who this year
comprise fully one-fifth of our state population. We're also concerned about a
seeming increase in crimes against senior citizens, the most vulnerable members
in our community," said Rep. Gregg Takayama (Pearl City, Waimalu, Pacific
Palisades), House co-convener of the Kupuna Caucus.
“Our package, while continuing to support
programs to keep our kupuna healthy and aging in their own homes, also aims at
helping our most vulnerable – caring for those with dementia, supporting the
Long-Term Care Ombudsman serving 15,000 elders in long term care facilities,
and stiffening penalties for those who would attack or exploit our seniors,”
said Senator Sharon Y. Moriwaki (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, McCully,
Mo‘ili‘ili), Senate co-convener of the Kupuna Caucus.
Kupuna
Caucus measures:
HB 1874, SB 2334 - Increases
penalties for violent and financial crimes against elderly. Standardizes
definition of elderly as age 60.
HB 1873, SB 2340 - Establishes
outreach program to inform medical professionals that care planning services
for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is a covered benefit under
Medicare.
HB 1865, SB 2339 - Requires Health
Deptment to establish an Alzheimer's disease and related dementias training
program for care workers who deal with patients and clients.
HB 1866, SB 2335 - Requests
$550,000 to continue the Health Aging Partnership program to improve the health
and well-being of kupuna.
HB 1867, SB 2342 - Requests $2
million to continue implementation of the Kupuna Caregivers program to assist
working family caregivers.
HB 1869, SB 2341 - Allows a
disability parking permit for persons with a disability that requires special
accommodations to enter and exit their vehicle but does not impair the ability
to walk.
HB 1870, SB 2336 - Requires the
30-day lapse or termination notices for long-term care policies to be sent by
certified mail or commercial delivery service instead of first-class
mail.
HB 1872, SB 2337 - Requests funds
for the office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for 6 full-time specialists; two
each on Oahu and Hawaii and one each on Kauai and Maui.
HB 1871, SB 2333 - Requests
$100,000 to update the five-year comprehensive long-term care plan issued in
2012.
Read more at: Crimes against elderly on
Oahu Triple Hawaii
News Now,
State Executive Office on
Aging
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