SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 57

(By Senators Prezioso, Unger, McCabe, White, Minard, Dempsey,

Boley, Plymale, Snyder, Tomblin, Mr. President, Chafin, Love,
Ross, Kessler, Sharpe, Rowe, Fanning, Bowman, Jenkins, Oliverio,
Facemyer, Helmick, Weeks, McKenzie, Deem, Minear and Guills)
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the need for adult day care, congregate respite and in-home respite services for people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.

Whereas, For the purposes of this resolution, "adult day care" means a supervised, protective, congregate setting which provides personal care for dependent adults . "Congregate respite" means temporary, substitute support or living arrangements delivered in an adult day care or institutional setting to provide a brief period of relief or rest for caregivers. "In-home respite" means temporary, substitute support or living arrangements delivered in the home to provide a brief period of relief or rest for caregivers; and
Whereas, Alzheimer's disease is the fourth leading cause of death among American adults. The number one risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is age. One in 10 persons over age 65, and nearly half of those over age 85, have Alzheimer's disease and, increasingly, it is found in people in their forties and fifties. It is the third most expensive disease to treat in the United States, after heart disease and cancer; and
Whereas, West Virginia has the highest average age and highest percentage of Medicare recipients in the nation. The state's total population is expected to remain constant indefinitely, with its elderly population projected to grow by 60 percent during the next 25 years due to low in-migration and the tendency for older residents to remain in the state; and
Whereas, Currently 42,000 West Virginians have Alzheimer's disease and the first of 400,000 West Virginians will begin to turn 65 by 2011; and
Whereas, More than seven out of 10 people with Alzheimer's disease live at home. Family and friends provide almost 75 percent of home care with the remainder being paid care, which averages $12,500 per year and which cost families pay almost entirely out- of-pocket; and
Whereas, Lack of specialized services in West Virginia is a problem. Where Alzheimer's disease-specific services are available, they are often offered in private pay settings which many families cannot afford; and
Whereas, Adult day care services provide the person suffering from Alzheimer's disease opportunities to interact with others, usually in a community center or facility; and
Whereas, Appalachian tradition encourages keeping loved ones at home. Alzheimer's disease caregivers are often referred to as the hidden, or second, victims of Alzheimer's disease. Elderly people caring for their spouses are 63 percent more likely to die before their counterparts who are not caregivers. The family caregiver of the person with Alzheimer's disease is statistically more likely to suffer significant health complications as a result of ongoing long-term caregiver stress without necessary respite; and
Whereas, Respite care services are the most frequently requested service for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease. However, the ability to access respite care services in rural areas of West Virginia remains limited; and
Whereas, Respite care provides caregivers temporary relief from tasks associated with caregiving, and persons with Alzheimer's disease benefit from opportunities to socialize with others and live in the community longer; and
Whereas, Respite care services are mainly offered through community organizations or residential facilities; and
Whereas, The most common respite care services are in-home respite programs that offer a range of options, including companion services, personal care household assistance and skilled care services to meet specific needs; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the need for adult day care, congregate respite and in-home respite services for people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to determine the most efficient, cost- effective method of providing adult day care, congregate respite and in-home respite services to those with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2005, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.