HB6,SD1,CD1 - Kupuna Care.doc

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2006

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

C.D. 1

H.B. NO.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO EXPAND KUPUNA CARE SERVICES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE SILVER LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. On July 1, 1999, the Executive Office on Aging

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launched its statewide long-term care program called Kupuna

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Care. Kupuna Care was developed in partnership with the county

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area agencies on aging to address the growing numbers of elders

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with long-term care needs.

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Services provided by Kupuna Care are intended to help meet

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the needs of older adults who cannot live at home without

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adequate help from family and/or formal services, and includes

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services such as adult day care, assisted transportation,

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attendant care, case management, chore, home delivered meals,

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homemaker, transportation, and personal care.

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Kupuna Care was designed to assist, not totally support,

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Hawaii's older adults live independently, safely, and healthy

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for as long as possible. U.S. citizens or legal aliens 60 years

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or older who are not receiving other comparable government

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assistance, who need help with activities of daily living

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(eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring, mobility)

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HB6,SD1,CD1 - Kupuna Care.doc

or because they have reduced mental capacity, and who are not

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residing in an institution, may qualify for the program.

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State funds cover the cost of services for those who cannot

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afford to pay. It offers a reduced rate for those who can

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afford to pay only a portion of the service. Voluntary

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donations to the service provider are welcomed for any service

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provided and are used to support the cost of care of additional

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clients.

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The purpose of this Act is to ensure that this worthwhile

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program continues to maintain the quality of life of Hawaii’s

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older adults and their family caregivers by appropriating funds

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to expand Kupuna Care services.

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SECTION 2. There is appropriated to the Executive Office

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on Aging $500,000 from the General Revenues to expand Kupuna

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Care services.

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SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

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