KUPUNA CAUCUS BILLS TO PROTECT, SUPPORT HAWAIʻI'S SENIORS

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 1868, SB 2338 - Lowers the age a person can be exempt from jury duty from 80 years of age to 75.

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.

Kupuna Caucus Package Report.

Read more at: Crimes against elderly on Oahu Triple Hawaii News Now, State Executive Office on Aging