HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 87

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Irvin Harrison

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING SPECIAL RESPECT FOR NATIVE AMERICAN ELDERS IN THE DELIVERY OF LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES TO AGING PERSONS.

     WHEREAS, all of New Mexico's various cultural populations honor and respect their elders; and

     WHEREAS, Native Americans in particular honor their seniors, looking to them to provide the teachings through which the strength of the people is passed from generation to generation; and

     WHEREAS, as elders need increased care, services may be provided to them in both institutional and home-based settings; and

     WHEREAS, the human services department, through the medicaid program, the department of health, through its long- term care and restorative services division, and the state agency on aging all provide services statewide, including on lands of Native American nations, tribes and pueblos; and

     WHEREAS, regardless of who is paying for services, care must always be provided with the utmost respect for a person's condition and cultural preferences; and

     WHEREAS, the proposed aging and long-term care department will include a separate office of Indian elder affairs;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that long-term care services, whether provided under medicaid or other state programs, be designed and provided with cultural considerations specific to Native American populations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that to the degree possible, services be provided by Native Americans qualified and trained in personal care who speak the language of the care recipient; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the respective departments each take into consideration differences, including cost differences, between services provided in urban and rural environments and especially those various factors affecting delivery of services in rural areas; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state agency on aging, the human services department and the department of health.