Support needed for caregivers
I have been a social services and a caregiver for many years. As the years have gone by there has been significant changes in programs to assist the elderly and their family caregivers. Unpaid caregivers have little support or do not know who to turn to for support.
It is estimated that Hawaii has 52,000 unpaid caregivers caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Over 160,000 people in Hawaii are over 65 and over 29,000 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2025, this number is anticipated to grow to 35,000. Over the past 10 years, I have seen various government programs to assist the elderly disappear as well as major cut backs in funding for elder care issues.
I have come to understand the critical role family and friend caregivers play in the quality of life for a dependent loved one. I also know caregivers are in desperate need of support. Thankfully, the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act (S.56/ H.R.1474) would provide much-needed relief for our nation’s dementia caregivers. This legislation would provide grants to organizations to expand training and support services for families and unpaid caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Due to the urgency for the need of relief, I hope you’ll join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in asking Rep. Kai Kahele to cosponsor the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act.
Kristi Uehana
Hilo
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Unopened mail
Recently, we sent a property tax voucher and check to our Director of Finance Department in Hilo.
We did not see that the check had been cashed for quite some time, so after numerous calls, a clerk said she would look into it and she said the mailroom has had unopened mail for over three months due to COVID. She found the check and credited it to us that day.
On Oct. 28, the West Hawaii Today headline read “Roth: County needs tax to make ends meet.” No wonder the county needs more funding. Who is in charge? My goodness this is gross negligence on part of our Finance Department.
Donna ONeill
Kailua-Kona
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Hugo was Old Kona
Aloha Hugo. Good man. Very opinionated. Sometimes I agreed, sometimes not. But, Hugo was Old Kona, and loved our village.
I’ll never forget the friendly rivalry he, and Pat Dorian had. When Hugo came out from work, only to see people looking at the roof of his restaurant, where Dorian had Hugo’s car placed on it, in response to Hugo having had bumper stickers which read “Pat Dorian, is a transvestite.”
Ah, Old Kona, where have you gone?
Aloha, Ke Aku’a, Hugo. Rest In Peace
Roy Crytser
Holualoa
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West Hawaii Today
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Kailua-Kona, HI 96745