Hawaii needs the CARE Act
I’m a strong supporter of proposed legislation that would assist family caregivers who make it possible for their loved ones to live more independently at home. The CARE Act would notify family caregivers when their family members are discharged from the hospital, and require hospitals to instruct them in the medical tasks needed to care safely for them at home. This commonsense law has already been passed in 18 states. Hawaii, with the highest percentage of older residents 85-plus in the country, cannot afford to fall behind.
At the state Legislature this fall, a Legislative Family Caregivers Working Group has been meeting monthly to examine the role family caregivers play in current discharge practices across the state. I urge members of this working group to bring this important measure to the full Legislature for action when the 2016 session begins.
This is an issue whose time has come in Hawaii, and the model legislation calls for no new appropriation of state funds. As the care provided at home becomes increasingly complex, we should be doing everything possible to support family caregivers, who help delay or prevent more costly institutional care.
Chalintorn Burian
Productive aging consultant
Paauilo-Mauka