2016, 3-2-2016 Committee on Aging Minutes

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merge will take place between Hawaii County Office of Aging (HCOA) and the State Executive on Aging (EOA). Kimo is hopeful it will work out. OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICANS LUNCHEON Jim Cisler reported that the Older Americans event is meeting with EOA and gathering donors and sponsors. These will be people, businesses that service the older citizens. Kimo wants the event to be a sustaining and the focus of which is to recognize outstanding older American. Jim's involvement at the state level is helpful. The date is May 6, 2016, at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort. Looking at changing the process. Want to recognize all who are nominated as outstanding. If a person gets nominated at the County event they will be recognized. Then based in minimum criteria, names will be placed in a drawing one or more times based on the nomination criteria. More criteria, more chances in drawing. We will then pick one male and one female from the all the nominees to go to Honolulu. Interesting that the purpose originally was to acknowledge those who had served in military and not necessarily age -based. Want to shift focus away from getting more credit solely based on age. AGENCY AND DISTRICT REPORTS — None. LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES: PABEA (Jim Cisler) and AARP (Bob Masuda) Jim Cisler reported on legislative update. The big priority is the long-term care support services bill. The Senate version of the bill was deferred and the House version is alive but is not looking good. Probably not happening this session, but it will survive until next session. ► The public awareness campaign - legislative approval for $500K working on a solution to find where the need is for funding. ► Kupuna care increased funding and reflects additional use from last year and the needs of different counties. ► Jim encourages all to use the legislative process. It makes a difference in the process and is effective. Meizhu Lui asked what is the financing component of the bill? Is there a use of a small percentage of GET to long-term care? Not sure. Robert Masuda, AARP - Long term Care Act - the priority is about discharge planning and the requirement that a family member be identified and trained prior to discharge. Hospitals are concerned about the liability aspect and the impact on their processes they have in place. AARP is hopeful that might find a place of agreement because the issue is important. Our county has a different position. A suggestion is to invite AARP and hospital reps to present after legislative session to discuss where the issue is going. On March 10, 2016, AARP in Hilo is sponsoring the "I Love Caregivers' event at the Hilo Hawaiian from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. With regard to the legislative process, it was noted that if our committee is going to submit testimony it must go through the Mayor's office.