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Hawaii has a strong tradition of family caregiving. Family caregivers are family members, friends, and neighbors who provide unpaid assistance to those over the age of 60 (older adults) or grandparents raising their grandchildren. Recently, however, caregiving of family elders has become more than an act of love and familial responsibility. Due to a shortage of care providers for Hawaii’s elderly, family caregiving has become a critical component of our health and long-term care system.
By 2020, more than one in four individuals in Hawaii is expected to be an older adult. As the State’s population ages, many more families will be providing higher levels of long-term care to frail and disabled older adults at home. Family caregivers provide great economic value to our community, and it is the intent of the State of Hawaii to support and encourage them. Family caregiving delays institutionalization and allows our elders to remain in their homes.
Many family caregivers face added burdens in caring for their loved ones while fulfilling other family and workplace responsibilities. A continued effort to create comprehensive public policies to strengthen support for family caregivers is essential as the population ages. The State can build on and encourage the strong tradition of family caregiving in Hawaii by developing a plan for the future that includes research, development of best practices, and measurement of intended outcomes.

Family caregiving has always been a universal experience of all ethnicities, lifestyles, and income levels. Recently, however, caregiving of family elders has become more than an act of love and familial responsibility. Due to a shortage of care providers in Hawaii, family caregiving has become a critical element of our health and long-term care system. By 2020, more than one in four individuals is expected to be sixty years old or older. The need for personal care assistance due to physical, sensory, cognitive, and self-care disabilities increases with age. As Hawaii’s population ages, many more families will be providing higher levels of long-term care to frail and disabled older adults at home. A comprehensive public policy to strengthen support for family caregivers is essential.

Legislative Mandate
Your Joint Legislative Committee (JLCFC) was created by Senate Bill No. 3253, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1, which was enacted as Act 285, Session Laws of Hawaii (SLH) 2006. The JLCFC members are: Senator Les Ihara, Jr. and Representative Marilyn B. Lee, Co-Chairs; Senators Rosalyn Baker, Suzanne Chun Oakland, and Gordon Trimble; and Representatives Josh Green, M.D., and Alex Sonson. Former Representatives Dennis A. Arakaki and Anne V. Stevens have also served on the JLCFC.