HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5453

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by  Senators Tanner, Kreidler, Kiskaddon, Stratton, Anderson, Johnson and Moore; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Modifying provisions relating to respite care projects.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lewis, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 16, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1984, the legislature authorized the Department of Social and Health Services to conduct up to three pilot projects, expiring on June 30, 1985, for demonstrating the effectiveness of providing respite care services for caretakers, such as family members and friends, who provide in-home care to elderly and disabled adults who would otherwise be institutionalized.

Providing periodic, brief breaks from the continuous and heavy demands of caring for their functionally disabled relatives and friends can deter not only burn-out for the caregiver, but premature nursing home placement and the potential for patient abuse.

Under current law, the caretakers, as well as the patients, are required to contribute on an ability to pay basis in the costs of the program.  Participating area agencies on aging were required to conduct cost benefit analyses of the respite care administration projects, and the department was required to survey public assistance recipients who avail themselves of these services.

A caregiver cannot receive more than 576 hours in more than 24 days of respite care services.

SUMMARY:

The provision of respite care services by the Department of Social and Health Services through area agencies on aging would be expanded state-wide until July 1, 1989.  The fiscal participation on a sliding-fee basis of the caretaker is eliminated.  The requirement of area agencies to make a cost benefit analysis of respite care services, and the requirement of the department to survey public assistance recipients who used these services are both eliminated.  The chapter is not to be construed as creating an entitlement, and is made subject to availability of funds.  Eligibility for respite care services is to be determined by the department by rule.  Respite care services must include appropriate services for persons caring for individuals with dementing illnesses.  The department is required to make a progress report before the 1989 legislative session to the legislature.

Fiscal Note:      Attached.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ralph Smith, Department of Social and Health Services; Sister Sharon Park, Senior Lobby and Frank Winslow, Alzheimer's Society of Washington.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The three pilot projects have demonstrated the value of providing respite care services, both in monetary savings and personal dignity.  An estimated 80 percent of disabled elderly depend on these caregivers to provide the help they need to remain in their homes.  Average monthly costs for respite services are approximately one-quarter of nursing home costs.  Most of these caregivers have significant physical and functional problems and reported stress, fatigue and emotional problems.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.