HI SCR26

Establishes a Hawaii State Fall Prevention and Early Detection Task Force to develop a statewide approach to reducing falls among older adults, noting that one-third of seniors fall annually and falls are the leading cause of fatal injuries, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits among Hawaii's elderly.

Task Force membership consists of 4 members appointed by the Governor, 4 by the Senate President, 4 by the House Speaker, and 9 ex-officio members including the Medical Director of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Dean of Geriatric Medicine, Director of Health, Director of Executive Office on Aging, and county representatives on aging.

Director of Executive Office on Aging designated as Task Force Chair; members must have backgrounds in elderly services, geriatric medicine, health care, insurance, business, or be advocates/consumers of elderly care services.

Task Force to convene before August 15, 2011, and submit an interim report to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2012 Regular Session and a final report with proposed legislation by twenty days prior to the 2013 Regular Session.

Task Force directed to investigate fall injury dangers, examine fiscal impacts on medical system, recommend prevention programs and interventions, enhance public awareness, review availability of fall prevention services, and expand the role of medical professionals in screening and referring seniors to fall prevention programs.