THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

169

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING TO WORK IN CONCERT WITH THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE, HAWAII BROADBAND HUI, AND AARP HAWAI‘I, TO DEVELOP A STANDARD TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR KUPUNA AND CAREGIVERS ON HOW TO SELECT AND PURCHASE APPROPRIATE BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY EQUIPMENT AND AUDIO-VISUAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS TABLETS, AND HOW TO OPERATE EQUIPMENT TO ACCESS TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

 

 

     WHEREAS, over seven million low-income seniors in America are enrolled in Medicaid for their health coverage; and

 

     WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has changed the way many people access health care, making online doctor visits a more common occurrence; and

 

     WHEREAS, telehealth and online doctor visits can increase access to health care for the most vulnerable populations, including those enrolled in Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries; and

 

     WHEREAS, technologies to increase access to care and health outcomes, especially for kupuna and residents in rural areas of the State, are limited due to lack of access to broadband internet or unfamiliarity with computers and advancing technologies; and

 

     WHEREAS, modern equipment such as tablets provide a simple interface tailored to high-risk and older patients by featuring brighter screens and larger icons; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Executive Office on Aging is the designated lead agency in the coordination of a statewide system of aging and caregiver support services in the State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Executive Office on Aging is urged to work in concert with the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, Hawaii Broadband Hui, and AARP Hawai‘i, to develop a standard training workshop for kupuna and caregivers on how to select and purchase appropriate broadband connectivity equipment and audio-visual equipment such as tablets, and how to operate equipment to access telehealth services; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that curriculum topics for the standard training workshop are requested to include:

 

     (1)  Establishing a reasonable budget related to broadband access; and

 

     (2)  Identifying reputable contractors in the area to install and maintain broadband equipment; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Executive Office on Aging, State Broadband Coordinator of the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, Co-conveners of the Hawaii Broadband Hui, and Executive Director of AARP Hawai‘i.

Report Title: 

Kupuna; Digital Literacy; Caregivers; Equipment; Telehealth Services; Training; Hawaii Executive Office on Aging; Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, Hawaii Broadband Hui, and AARP