SCR 13-SUPPORTING SENIOR CAREGIVERS  3:05:22 PM CO-CHAIR HERRON announced that the first order of business would be CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 13(HSS), Supporting senior caregivers and encouraging the Department of Health and Social Services to provide additional education on the effects of aging and the importance of senior caregivers. 3:06:01 PM SENATOR CON BUNDE, Alaska State Legislature, expressed his desire to draw attention to the escalating senior demographics in Alaska. He pointed out that Alaska had the fastest growing senior population in the U.S. and was projected to grow by 150 percent in the next 20 years. He directed attention to the increased need for senior caregiving, and predicted that 25 percent of all seniors would need some level of daily assistance. He noted that the longer a senior can take care of themselves at home, the less of an impact it would have on the public systems. He stated that SCR 13 was supported by Department of Health and Social Services, AARP, and Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska. 3:08:04 PM REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to page 2, line 15, and asked if "recognizes senior caregiving as a profession" indicated that this would become a profession permitted by occupational licensing. He asked if there were criteria for this. 3:08:34 PM TREVOR FULTON, Staff to Senator Con Bunde, Alaska State Legislature, in response to Representative Seaton, stated that, as a resolution, this had no weight to change statute, and would not place any profession under licensing organization. He explained that the resolution was to draw attention to the importance of the profession. 3:09:15 PM CO-CHAIR KELLER asked if it was possible to resolve not to get older. 3:09:49 PM KEVIN TURKINGTON, President, Senior Care of Alaska, stated that he was testifying in support of SCR 13. [Due to technical difficulties, much of the testimony was difficult to hear clearly.] He stated his support for SCR 13. He read [page 2, lines 12 - 13], and pointed out the financial impact of seniors providing for themselves. 3:14:42 PM ANGELA SALERNO, Systems Developer, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, Department of Health and Social Services, stated that the administration supported SCR 13. She pointed out the value of senior caregivers and voiced appreciation for their service. 3:15:42 PM MARIANNE MILLS, President, AgeNet, Alaska's Association of Senior Service Provider Agencies, stated her support of SCR 13. She acknowledged the hard work of unpaid family caregivers, which was valued at $140 million. She directed attention to the care and support of family members in providing for seniors. She pointed out that SCR 13 heightened the awareness of aging issues and the need for planning ahead. 3:17:19 PM MARIE DARLIN, AARP Capital City Task Force, stated that AARP was in full support of SCR 13. She confirmed the changing demographics that would require an increased role for family care givers. She emphasized that SCR 13 was a necessary part of the health care plan. 3:19:09 PM DENISE DANIELLO, Executive Director, Alaska Commission on Aging, Department of Health and Social Services, explained that the Commission advocated on behalf of older Alaskans and she explained some of its programs. She stated support for SCR 13. She pointed out that Alaska was a maturing state, with a quickly growing senior population that had resided here for many years. She noted that seniors were living longer. She mentioned the importance of family caregivers. She referenced the Senior Snapshot, contained in the FY 2009 Annual Report, which was available on line. 3:23:47 PM REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked if the Alaska Commission on Aging would supply the additional education that was mentioned in SCR 13. MS. DANIELLO replied that a goal of the state plan for senior services was for increased education. REPRESENTATIVE T. WILSON asked why a resolution was necessary. MS. DANIELLO offered her belief that SCR 13 did not authorize the educational campaign. She deferred to Senator Bunde for his reasons to the resolution, but she pointed out that it had heightened awareness toward the aging population. 3:25:12 PM REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA encouraged people to go to the meetings of the Alaska Commission on Aging. MS. DANIELLO, in response to Representative Cissna, said that the commission met quarterly, and that there was currently an educational series on senior community forums. She pointed out that family support was necessary for senior care, but that family dynamics were changing, with more divorce and fewer children. She stressed the importance of supporting family caregivers. 3:27:05 PM CO-CHAIR HERRON closed public testimony. 3:27:17 PM SENATOR BUNDE, in response to Representative T. Wilson, explained that SCR 13 offered encouragement for family caregivers, even though it lacked enforcement. 3:27:36 PM CO-CHAIR KELLER moved to report CS SCR 13 (HSS) out of committee with individual recommendations. There being no objection, CS SCR 13 (HSS) was reported from the House Health and Social Services Standing Committee.