Elder Caregiving Study Response Form

Local League Name

Date of Local League Board Meeting

Date

Number of members participating in consensus meetings

Total membership in your League

Name of person reporting on behalf of your League

First NameLast Name

Phone number of reporting member named above

Area CodePhone Number

E-mail of reporting member

example@example.com

Methods used to solicit members’ views

Unit meetingsGeneral meetingOther

Introduction

Consensus is member agreement reached after study and discussion. It is not a simple majority, nor is it necessarily unanimity; rather it is the overall sense of the group as expressed through the exchange of ideas and opinions. Consensus is not a vote or a poll. However, a show of hands may be used to determine the sense of the group. Local League boards will submit a single consensus statement to LWVWA that captures the responses to the consensus questions from members.

While the responses to the consensus questions are the basis for League positions, consensus may arise from the discussion questions as well. Noting major issues raised by the discussion questions is optional but can be helpful to the process. Do record comments related to the consensus questions. This information will be used to draft a LWVWA position or positions.

Topic 1: Elders

Demographic projections indicate that Washington state is part of a long-term global and national trend in the increase of elders as a proportion of the population. This trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. (Pages 8-13 of the report.)

Discussion Question 1: Given projections about increases in the number of elders requiring caregiving, what are your concerns about future caregiving needs? Type comments below.

Consensus Question 1: Should the League support enhancements and increased funding for home and community-based services and systems to keep elders in their homes as long as possible? Type comments below.

Topic 1: Indicate local League rating below.

High priorityLow priorityNot a priorityNo consensus

Topic 2: Information and Planning

Elders and their families often find themselves needing to explore alternatives and develop caregiving plans during crisis. (Pages 3-5, 8-11, 24-30 of the report.)

Discussion Question 2: How important are public and private efforts to educate Washington state residents about the need to prepare for their later years including early retirement planning and savings, preventive medicine, fall prevention, and long-term care insurance? Type comments below.

Consensus Question 2a: Should the League support state and local outreach efforts to connect individuals and families with information and referrals regarding elder caregiving services and assistance? Type comments below.

Topic 2a: Indicate local League rating below.

High priorityLow priorityNot a priorityNo consensus

Consensus Question 2b: To what extent should the League support state and local planning/legislation for healthy aging, including coordination across government programs, partnerships with business, and appropriate community infrastructure, (e.g., accessible transportation, housing, health care, and nutrition)? Type comments below.

Topic 2b: Indicate local League rating below.

High priorityLow priorityNot a priorityNo consensus

Topic 3: Family Caregivers

Washington is a national leader in prioritizing home-based care for elders. The state estimates it saved nearly $5 billion from 1999-2020 by focusing on home-based care rather than nursing homes. Unpaid caregivers provide 80% of the care needed by family members and friends which is equivalent to $17 billion if this care were paid for. (Pages 15-17, 22-24 of the report.)

Discussion Question 3: What is your experience with caregiving for a vulnerable elder or elders? Type comments below.

Consensus Question 3a: Should the League support funding for programs such as family leave, tax credits and respite care for family caregivers who care for elders in their own homes? Type comments below.

Topic 3a: Indicate local League rating below.

High priorityLow priorityNot a priorityNo consensus

Consensus Question 3b: How important is it that the League support efforts to improve access to affordable, readily available and culturally appropriate respite care for elders and family caregivers? Type comments below.

Topic 3b: Indicate local League rating below.

High priorityLow priorityNot a priorityNo consensus

Topic 4: Paid Caregivers

Inadequate numbers of professional (paid) caregivers to meet current and projected elder caregiving needs is a serious challenge expected to worsen over the next few years and decades as the population ages. Estimates are that by 2030, the ratio of elders 75 and over to people 25-54 years will be 1:4; by 2040, the ratio will be 1:3. (Pages 6-7, 8, 18-21 of the report.)

Consensus Question 4a: How concerned are you about improving working conditions, wages, benefits, and stability of employment for paid caregivers? Type comments below.

Topic 4a: Indicate local League rating below.

Highly concernedModerately concernedNot concernedNo consensus

Consensus Question 4b: How important is it to reduce barriers to caregiver recruitment and retention including lack of readily available training and certification, transportation, affordable housing and child care? Type comments below.

Topic 4b: Indicate local League rating below.

Highly importantSomewhat importantNot importantNo consensus

Consensus Question 4c: Should the League support innovative approaches to caregiver education and training including a career ladder that extends from high school through professional degrees? Type comments below.

Topic 4c: Indicate local League rating below.

High priorityLow priorityNot a priorityNo consensus

Topic 5: Affordability of Care

Affordability of care is of particular concern to working-class and middle-income elders and their families. (Pages 23-27 of the report.)

Discussion Question 5: Washington’s emphasis on home-based care for vulnerable elders has been accompanied by Medicaid Estate Recovery and community spousal resource allowances that are less generous than federal requirements. To what extent should Washington state be concerned about the effects of these policies on intergenerational poverty reduction? Type comments below.

Consensus Question 5: Should the League support aligning Washington’s Medicaid Estate Recovery and community spousal resource allowances with those required by Federal Medicaid law and regulations? Type comments below.

Topic 5: Indicate local League rating below.

High priorityLow priorityNot a priorityNo consensus

Elder Caregiving Study Response Form

Introduction

Discussion and Consensus Questions