Alzheimer’s caregivers
need support
I have been in social services and a caregiver for many years. As the years have gone by there has been significant changes in programs to assist the elderly and their family caregivers. Unpaid caregivers have little support or do not know who to turn to for support.
It is estimated that Hawaii has 52,000 unpaid caregivers caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Over 160,000 people in Hawaii are over 65 and over 29,000 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. By 2025, this number is anticipated to grow to 35,000.
Over the past 10 years, I have seen various government programs to assist the elderly disappear as well as major cut backs in funding for elder care issues.
I have come to understand the critical role family and friend caregivers play in the quality of life for a dependent loved one. I also know caregivers are in desperate need of support. Thankfully, the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act (S.56/ H.R.1474) would provide much-needed relief for our nation’s dementia caregivers. This legislation would provide grants to organizations to expand training and support services for families and unpaid caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Due to the urgency for the need of relief, I hope you’ll join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in asking House Rep. Kai Kahele to cosponsor the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act.
Kristi Uehana
Hilo
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Mask mandates work
In response to Ms. Melendez’s Monday letter to the editor: A global study just showed masks reduce COVID cases by
53%. Your own God-given nose and mouth are thus not enough protection by themselves so please stop your disinformation, which just prolongs the pandemic and causes needless deaths.
Mask mandates work for the health and safety of our community.
Stan Chraminski
Kailua-Kona
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Too many plea deals
A Waimea man, Jesse Speetjens, faces “up to a year” in jail according to Tuesday’s West Hawaii Today. He killed a 42-year-old ultra endurance runner on the side of the road. Speetjens crossed over the centerline and struck the killed the woman.
This “deal” was reached through another plea bargain. Also a motion was made to expunge Speetjens’ conviction if he meets all the conditions of sentencing. Expunge means the conviction disappears from his record. Kind of like Speetjens “expunged” a 42-year-old woman from the world.
What’s it been, two weeks since the last outrageous “plea bargain?” These plea bargains seem to be coming fast and furious. Cases piling up so they gotta be cleared? Short-staffed (that’s always the excuse)? Small budget (another excuse)?
Dear Police Officers: It must be demoralizing, demeaning, and frustrating to put countless hours into investigations, interviews, and reports, just to have them “plea bargained” away. You have my sympathy.
R. Brogan
Kailua-Kona
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Letters policy
Letters to the editor should be 300 words or less and will be edited for style and grammar. Longer viewpoint guest columns may not exceed 800 words. Submit online at www.westhawaiitoday.com/?p=118321, via email to letters@westhawaiitoday.com or address them to:
Editor
West Hawaii Today
PO Box 789
Kailua-Kona, HI
