SB4,HD1,CD1 - Eldercare Workforce Development.doc

THE SENATE

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HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D.1

STATE OF HAWAII

C.D. 1

S.B. NO.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LONG-TERM CARE RESOURCE

INITIATIVE AT KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO TRAIN AND

EDUCATE HAWAII’S ELDERCARE WORKFORCE.

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

SECTION 1. The Silver Legislature finds that family

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caregivers have a complex responsibility but consistently report

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that they are not prepared for these roles. This lack of

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training occurs throughout the caregiving experience, but is

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most apparent when care recipients are discharged from hospitals

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or short-term nursing home stays after an illness or accident.

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Formal instruction is often sporadic and inadequate. Families

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are expected to perform skilled nursing care, but without the

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training that professionals must receive.

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Family caregiver needs for information and training change

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throughout the course of their loved one’s illness. They must

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have opportunities to learn new skills as they become necessary,

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access new resources, and learn about care options as the

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situation changes. Families also need honest information about

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the financial, social, and health-related consequences of

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various arrangements for care, and they must share in the

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decision-making about care arrangements.

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Hawaii’s long-term care workforce shortages and its impact

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will become increasingly difficult on families as the aging

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population increases. The demand for services for individuals

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needing long-term care will outpace the supply of care workers

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and will worsen if not addressed.

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SB4,HD1,CD1 - Eldercare Workforce Development.doc

Therefore, the Silver Legislature believes that family

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caregivers must have appropriate, timely, and ongoing education

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and training in order to successfully meet their caregiving

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responsibilities. Additionally, family caregivers and their

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loved ones must be assured of an affordable, well qualified, and

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sustainable eldercare workforce.

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The purpose of this Act is to develop at Kapiolani

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Community College a training and education program for Hawaii’s

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eldercare workforce.

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SECTION 2. There is established at Kapiolani Community

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College a Long-term Care Resource Program Initiative that will

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be responsible for:

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(1)

Expanding the quality and quantity of community- and

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home-based long-term care para-professional caregivers;

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(2)

Improving the support and training of family caregivers;

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(3)

Harnessing the productivity of the elderly in becoming a

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healthcare resource for themselves and the community.

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The Initiative will serve as a statewide model for the

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other community college campuses on each island to establish

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similar programs.

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SECTION 3. There is appropriated $300,000 from the General

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Revenues to Kapiolani Community College to implement this Act.

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SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

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