The needs of our elderly, as great as they are today, are soon to expand dramatically, keeping pace with the growth of the senior population. By the year 2020, about one of every four in Hawai'i will be 65 and older, and these are people likely to live for many more years with increasing needs for medical and social support.

What's disturbing is that the safety net for seniors already shows weak spots that can only deteriorate further unless public and private agencies collaborate to strengthen it.

The Kupuna Caucus, a collective of lawmakers and leaders in the elder care community, is beginning to draw up a job list for the coming legislative session to do just that. Fortunately, it's clear to most of these officials that the solution will require a multipronged approach.

So far, the spotlight has been placed on a change in the Dependent Adult Protective Services law that would extend protection to more elderly and disabled people. Under the existing statute, the elderly are eligible for protective services only if they are impaired and dependent on others for care, or if they've been abused and are in danger of more abuse.

Proposed changes to the law, which would be less restrictive and extend protection to seniors who otherwise are in a vulnerable state, are necessary but don't represent any kind of magic bullet.

Elder abuse is part of a much larger spectrum of issues, ranging from providing financial literacy to empowering seniors against scammers, all the way to changes in the penal code to aid prosecution of those who abuse elders physically and emotionally.

Part of the problem also involves the limits of funds and staffing at the state Department of Human Services, the agency charged with executing the Adult Protective Services law. And to its credit, the department has done more than simply lobby for extra funding.

In a "white paper" compiled by the state agency, a comprehensive approach toward elder protections is described, including public education campaigns on personal safety and access to available services. The paper also outlines the need for specialized training of law enforcement to assist with criminal investigations to protect seniors.

Additionally, the state needs to do more to encourage the growth of the caregiving profession. It's good to hear that lawmakers are contemplating tax credits and other measures.

With looming demands as more baby boomers enter retirement age, the need for all of this will become apparent. Let's not wait for it to reach crisis stage.