Senate Concurrent Resolution 561

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH AN AD HOC COMMITTEE TO STUDY ISSUES RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE; TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMITTEE TO TAKE TESTIMONY AND DEVELOP A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the population of the state that is 85 years or older and most likely to need caregiving assistance is projected to reach 95,000 in 2032 (67% increase than 2012); and

WHEREAS, almost all older 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 adults in their homes and communities is generally much less expensive than nursing home care; and

WHEREAS, older adults who receive services from caregivers in their homes are much less likely to need public assistance; 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, an estimated 826,000 adults in the state provide care to adult relatives or friends, which equals to an estimated 540 million hours a year and an estimated value of $5.2 Billion each year; and

WHEREAS, nationally 70% of the people with Alzheimer's Disease or a related disorder live at home and need assistance with activities of daily living; and

WHEREAS, older persons living with many chronic health conditions and mental illness issues rely on caregivers for support; 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 assist their aging relatives and develop ways to recruit and retain a qualified, responsive in-home care workforce; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That:

(1) There is hereby established an Ad Hoc Committee to Study Issues Relating to Family Caregiving and Long-Term Care Support and Services (committee):

(2) The Committee shall consist of 13 members as follows:

(a) One (1) representative from the Alzheimer’s Association;

(b) One (1) representative from the Mississippi Department of Mental Health;

(d) One (1) representative from Mississippi Rehabilitation Services, Aging and Adult Services;

(e) One (1) representative from The American Cancer Society;

(f) One (1) representative from The Mississippi Epilepsy Foundation;

(g) One (1) representative from The ARC of Mississippi;

(h) Senate Chairman of Public Health and Welfare Committee;

(i) House Chairman of Public Health and Human Services Committee;

(j) A member of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(k) A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(l) A member appointed by the Governor.

(3) The Chairman of the Committee shall be the Governor's appointee, who shall call the first meeting of the Committee and shall organize for business. The legislative members of the Committee shall be nonvoting members. The Committee shall meet once a month beginning May 2014.

(4) The Committee is directed and authorized to identify policies, resources and programs available for family caregivers and encourage additional innovative and creative means to support family caregivers to continue to provide needed in-home support for older adults.

(5) The Committee is authorized and directed to receive testimony on the need for family caregivers, including designation of caregivers, training, respite services, medical leave policies, delegation of tasks to nonmedical aides, and other policies.

(6) The Committee is authorized and directed to compile an inventory of the resources available to family caregivers.

(7) The Committee shall develop and issue its report to the Legislature by December 1, 2014, with recommendations for legislative action to support family caregivers.

(8) The Committee is authorized to apply for and expend grant funding to defray the expenses of meeting and developing its report.

(9) Upon the submission of its report the Committee shall be dissolved.