H.J.R. 14
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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution of the Legislature expresses support for the efforts of Utah's family
10 caregivers and for state policies and programs that address the needs of older,
11 vulnerable, or adults with a disability, and their caregivers.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . expresses support for the dedicated work of family caregivers statewide;
15 . recognizes caregiving for older, vulnerable adults as a vital and needed profession
16 today and in the future;
17 . expresses support for innovative and creative means to support family caregivers to
18 continue providing needed in-home support for older, vulnerable, or adults with a
19 disability; and
20 . expresses support for state policies and programs that address the needs of older,
21 vulnerable, or adults with a disability, and their caregivers, as well as agencies that
22 provide additional information and education on supporting older, vulnerable, or
23 adults with a disability in their homes through both family caregivers and paid
24 professional caregivers.
25 Special Clauses:
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28 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 WHEREAS, by 2040, the population of the state that is 85 years of age or older and
30 most likely to need caregiving assistance is projected to reach 128,771;
31 WHEREAS, almost all older adults who need assistance with activities of daily living
32 want to remain in their homes and communities;
33 WHEREAS, providing services and support to older adults in their homes and
34 communities is generally much less expensive than nursing home care;
35 WHEREAS, older adults who receive services from caregivers in their homes are much
36 less likely to need public assistance;
37 WHEREAS, almost three-fourths of older people living in the community who receive
38 personal assistance rely exclusively on unpaid caregivers for help;
39 WHEREAS, an estimated 382,000 adults in the state provide care to adult relatives or
40 friends, which equates to an estimated 365 million hours a year and an estimated value of $4.2
41 billion each year;
42 WHEREAS, nationally, 70% of people with Alzheimer's Disease or a related disorder
43 live at home and need assistance with activities of daily living; and
44 WHEREAS, to successfully address the surging population of older adults who have
45 significant needs for long-term services and support, the state should develop methods to both
46 encourage and support families to assist their aging relatives and develop ways to recruit and
47 retain a qualified, responsive in-home care workforce:
48 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
49 expresses support for the dedicated work of family caregivers statewide and recognizes
50 caregiving for older, vulnerable adults as a vital and needed profession today and in the future.
51 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature expresses support for innovative
52 and creative means to support family caregivers to continue providing needed in-home support
53 for older, vulnerable, or adults with a disability.
54 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature expresses support for state policies
55 and programs that address the needs of older, vulnerable, or adults with a disability and their
56 caregivers, as well as agencies that provide additional information and education on supporting
57 older, vulnerable adults, or adults with a disability, in their homes through both family
58 caregivers and paid professional caregivers.
59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages the review of state
60 policies and supports current state programs that address the needs of older adults and their
61 caregivers.
62 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
63 Department of Human Services and the Utah Department of Health.
Legislative Review Note
as of 1-13-14 2:58 PM