Supporting Hawaii's Family Caregivers - July 16

Aloha,

We learned this week that the Legislative Family Caregivers Working Group will be holding its first meeting at the State Capitol, Room 325 on Thursday, July 16 at 11 a.m.

This is a critical first step in the next phase of our coalition-led effort to pass a much-needed law supporting family caregivers in Hawaii. Please join our team of caregiver advocates attending this meeting – and we’ll provide you with an I Heart Caregivers t-shirt.

The Family Caregivers Working Group was established by SCR 107 to examine and assess the role of caregivers for patients released from hospitals. AARP Hawaii is part of a coalition seeking to pass legislation requiring hospitals to instruct family caregivers – at the time of discharge – in the tasks needed to care for loved ones at home.

No public testimony is being accepted for this briefing, but your attendance is important to send a message to legislators that we strongly support passage of the CARE Act in Hawaii. Across the country 17 state legislatures have already passed similar measures, and other states are adopting this important law. Hawaii is lagging behind, despite our rapidly aging population and the urgent need to support family caregivers.

Please RSVP to AARP Hawaii Communications Director Bruce Bottorff at bbottorff@aarp.org or 808-545-6006, and give him your t-shirt size.

Also, please read the posted stories of Hawaii’s family caregivers - and let us know if you or someone you know has a story to share.

Thank you – I hope to see you there!

Barbara Kim Stanton
State Director
AARP Hawaii