Report Title:

Long-Term Care and Wellness Networks

Description:

Creates 2 elder wellness demonstration projects, for a 2-year period, to support continued independent living for elders in their own homes. Appropriates $200,000 in FY 2003-2004 and FY 2004-2005.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

711

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to long-term care and elder wellness.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that long-term care is expensive, but that home- and community-based long-term care services are much more affordable and allow elders to remain living independently in their own homes for a longer period of time while contributing and participating in community life. The purpose of this Act is to create two elder wellness demonstration projects, for a two-year period, to support continued independent living for elders in their own homes.

SECTION 2. There is established in the executive office on aging, department of health, two elder wellness network demonstration projects, for a two-year period, that shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements:

(1) Identification of two or more experienced nonprofit organizations whose skills and missions demonstrate the ability and willingness to administer an elder wellness demonstration program involving a minimum of fifty individuals over the age of sixty years;

(2) Incorporate the following goals:

(A) To develop an affordable and replicable supportive model elder wellness network program designed to support continued independent living in existing residential homes and apartments;

(B) To extend the time in which elders can continue to live at home;

(C) To actively engage participants in the network in communicating, supporting, and assisting each other;

(D) To explore innovative methods of engaging and tracking elder volunteer contributions, such as so-called volunteer credit banking;

(E) To develop a model that complements existing long-term care services provided by insurance and state programs;

(F) To actively engage the participants in providing feedback on the future design of such programs; and

(G) To partner with the University of Hawaii and other higher education institutions to create meaningful learning, training, and research associated with the program; and

(3) Development of a communications network among participants that includes regular contacts to check on wellness status and instrumental activities of daily living and provides basic case management services that may include:

(A) Reminders to take medications;

(B) Hot meals;

(C) Nutrition counseling;

(D) Surrogate shopping and companion shopping;

(E) Short trip transportation needs;

(F) Assistance with bathing;

(G) Laundry;

(H) Day care and respite for caregivers;

(I) Housecleaning;

(J) Minor home repairs and maintenance;

(K) Recreation group outings;

(L) Enrichment classes;

(M) Technology purchases for audio, visual, and other communications needs;

(N) Document inventory, copying, storage in safe place;

(O) Holiday companionship;

(P) Contacts with other health and social service providers;

(Q) Exercise opportunities;

(R) Pet companionship; and

(S) Volunteer opportunities.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for two elder wellness network demonstration projects.

SECTION 4. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office on aging, department of health, for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2005, except that sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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