H.J.R. 14

             1     

JOINT RESOLUTION ON CAREGIVING

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Rebecca Chavez-Houck

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Brian E. Shiozawa

             6     
             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:
             26          None
             27     


             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


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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