ISLAND VOICES
New effort needed in care for the elderly
By Ruth Dias Willenborg
Director at Assisted Living Options Hawaii, a nonprofit organization
Recent articles about Medicare premium increases on the elderly as well as non-elderly disabled emphasize the impact of medical care costs on these groups. But they also emphasize what the state and federal governments, as well as families, are facing in attempting to solve increased costs for the frail, elderly and disabled. Many wealthy have come forth to say they are willing to carry a greater load of Medicare costs.
Hawai'i, with its fastest growth rate of those reaching ages 60 to 65, also has a rapid increase of the frailest over age 85. The system now in place, with its many adult residential care homes, foster care, assisted living, along with family care-giving, is in dire need of additional help.
Through the efforts of many, some progress has been made, with much more needed. But for each step forward, the public still resists the efforts of those dedicated individuals who are working to solve these major problems.
Examples of good plans were the Care Plus plan that was vetoed, as well as a pharmaceutical plan based on the Maine model that didn't win executive approval.
There is much more happening. Sagewatch sponsored a recent conference on abuse and fraud. Yesterday another conference was held on the uninsured healthcare problem. This past Saturday there was enormous interest in a forum held at the Capitol auditorium regarding those who are growing older in condos and the problems they and their associations face.
Hopefully, there will be more good legislation developed out of such events.
But to be successful, it will take the interest and the support of those in our community who may not be able to participate in these efforts physically, but who can lend their support by educating themselves about the problems at hand.
We all prefer to "age in place," being able to stay in our residence, whether it is our single-family home, apartment or other living arrangement that has become home to us. Please join those in the community who are trying to make this possible by listening and advocating, if you cannot join in other ways. Our community will benefit, and you will be glad you did.
