REFERENCE TITLE: recognizing Arizona caregivers |
State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-first Legislature Second Regular Session 2014
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HCR 2039 |
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Introduced by Representatives Brophy McGee, Lesko, Orr, Robson: Alston, Carter, Coleman, Fann, Goodale, Mach, McCune Davis, Meyer, Senator McComish (with permission of Committee on Rules)
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A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
recognizing the important work of caregivers in arizona.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Whereas, the population of the State of Arizona over eighty-five years of age is projected to reach 287,000 in 2032; and
Whereas, nationally, 70% of people with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder live at home and need assistance with activities of daily living; and
Whereas, countless other vulnerable or disabled adults rely on the care and assistance of unpaid caregivers to help them with daily activities; and
Whereas, almost three-fourths of older people living in the community who received personal assistance relied exclusively on unpaid caregivers for help; and
Whereas, almost all older, vulnerable or disabled adults who need assistance with activities of daily living want to remain in their homes and communities; and
Whereas, providing services and supports to older, vulnerable or disabled adults in their homes and communities is generally much less expensive than nursing home care; and
Whereas, older, vulnerable or disabled adults who receive cost‑effective services in their homes are much less likely to need public assistance; and
Whereas, in 2009 an estimated 855,000 adults in Arizona provided care to adult relatives or friends, which equates to an estimated 818 million hours and an estimated value of $9.4 billion each year; and
Whereas, to successfully address the surging population of older adults who have significant needs for long-term services and supports, the state must develop methods to both encourage and support families to support their aging relatives and develop ways to recruit and retain a qualified, responsive in-home care workforce.
Therefore
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
1. That the Members of the Legislature support the dedicated work of family caregivers statewide and recognize caregiving for older, vulnerable or disabled adults as a vital and needed profession today and in the future.
2. That the Members of the Legislature support innovative and creative means to support family caregivers to continue to provide needed in-home support for older, vulnerable or disabled adults.
3. That the Members of the Legislature express support for state policies and programs that address the needs of older, vulnerable or disabled adults and their caregivers as well as agencies that provide additional information and education on supporting older, vulnerable or disabled adults in their homes through both family caregivers and paid professional caregivers.