Report Title:

Geriatric Research; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates $500,000 to the Hawaii Geriatric Research and Training Center at Kula Hospital.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

476

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO PLAN AND DEVELOP THE HAWAII GERIATRIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTER AT KULA HOSPITAL.

.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a collaborative public-private effort is needed for the development of the Hawaii Geriatric Research and Training Center at Kula hospital. The Geriatric Center is concerned with biomedical, psychological, and sociological aspects of the aging patient. The center will be engaged in collaborative research, training, rehabilitation, and care on the site of Kula hospital. The major objective of the center is to limit, and when possible, prevent the disabilities which so often accompany aging. The center's research interests include nutrition and aging, environmental innovations to support more home care, holistic and alternative care programs, age-related carbohydrate intolerance, geriatric psychology, androgens and prostate enlargement, and age and obesity determinants of hypertension.

In addition to research development, funding is necessary to develop the center as a training site for both professional and lay home care givers. Professional groups will include medical residents and geriatricians, nurse practitioners in geriatrics, as well as licensed nurses and nurse assistants serving in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, public health facilities, and in hospitals throughout Hawaii. Home caregiver training will include lay persons who are attempting to keep their family members and loved ones in a home setting by acquiring the skills and understanding to do so with minimal financial, physical, and emotional strain.

Development of the rehabilitation research and training component of the center will focus on occupational, physical, speech, and psycho-social functions and now they can be improved to permit the maximum amount of independence of movement and highest quality of life.

No construction needs to be done since adequate work and housing facilities already exist on the grounds of Kula hospital.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, to fund the planning and development of the Hawaii Geriatric Research and Training Center at Kula hospital, specifically the:

(1) Design of successful public-private collaboration in Hawaii geriatric research and training based upon review of successful models;

(2) Exploration of Pacific Rim interest in collaboration and funding;

(3) Development and planning of a five-year geriatric research program;

(4) Development and planning of three-year professional and lay training programs;

(5) Development and planning of three-year geriatric rehabilitation programs;

(6) Development of plans to address native Hawaiian aging issues;

(7) Identification of technical requirements such as teleconferencing and telemedicine;

(8) Development of private and governmental funding alternatives and opportunities to support geriatric research and training in Hawaii; and

(9) Report to the legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2002.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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