Family caregivers steer through the treacherous learning curve

MOST family caregivers report they are not prepared for some of the responsibilities they face in caring for an older relative, according to a survey by Opinion Research Corporation. Our recent seminars for family caregivers demonstrated that many of them are eager to learn faster.

The survey showed that one-fifth of Americans are now providing unpaid care to an adult relative or friend. Two-thirds of them have been providing care for a year or more, including a quarter of them for more than four years. There were 150 family caregivers registered for our three "Elder Care Decisions and Resources" seminars. Their hunger for information, guidance and support was an inspiration.

Our opening presentation covered difficult decisions a caregiver must make, options and resources for care at or outside the home and the importance of caregiver support and relief.

Senior housing project going downtown

Santa Maria Planning Commissioners say they're excited about a downtown project that would bring a senior assisted-living home to the heart of the city. The commission voted 4-0 Wednesday night to allow the Sun family to develop the project at 117 N. Broadway. The commission's newest member, Adrian Andrade, who was appointed Tuesday night by Councilwoman Hilda Zacarias, abstained from the vote. The applicants are proposing extensive remodeling in their building to create the assisted-living facility on the second floor while keeping the existing furniture store on the ground floor. Though commissioners said they are pleased to see an additional opportunity for seniors to live in the downtown area, Commissioner Lawnae Hunter insisted a condition of approval be added to require some sort of open space for the residents.

Developers dreaming of helping seniors

A few dozen low-income seniors, with fixed incomes vulnerable to escalating rents and mortgages, will soon have another housing option thanks to a tax-credit-assisted project that is coming to market in Wahiawa.
The affordable rental complex, California Avenue Apartments, will hardly satisfy pent-up demand in that market, as its 42 units are just a drop in the bucket compared to the estimated 17,000 or so apartments the state estimates are needed to ease the shortfall in Hawaii's affordable housing.
The developers, a Honolulu partnership named California Dreaming, will host an open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the site at 220 California Avenue. Applicants must be age 62 and above, with annual incomes ranging from $24,950 to $28,500. The three-story complex will feature a garden and senior community center as well as a coin-operated laundry on every floor.

Long-term care bill clears Senate

A bill that offers people choices in long-term care easily passed the Senate Thursday, but with only about half the state dollars the original measure called for.Senate File 89, sponsored by the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee, passed the Senate on a 22-6 roll-call vote and now goes to the House.The original bill requested about $7 million in general fund dollars. The bill now allocates about $3.5 million in state money."I would have liked to have had more money, but the Appropriations Committee did a responsible job," said Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, the committee chairman.
He said he expects to be back in the budget session next year to seek increased reimbursement to the people who work in the home- and community-based waiver program for Medicaid recipients.The committee bill included $1.4 million in general fund money for one year and $1.5 million in federal funds for this program.