Your editorial on the lax inspection and enforcement for care homes is well-timed, as the Legislature will soon be in session (“Lack of oversight hurts elder care,” Star-Advertiser, Our View, Nov. 20).

However, attention to the growing “silver tsunami” will probably be more tinkering around the edges, rather than a solution.

The care homes in Hawaii serve a critical function; shutting them down or fining will only make the situation worse. Hospitals must discharge patients when they move to a lower level of care than acute to avoid suffering financial loss, and families who work have almost no recourse without some kind of paid family leave to help them at home. Care homes need to be inspected, but in a way that encourages and educates the owners and staff.

Paid family leave and a system of affordable and safe long-term care have failed over and over again in our Legislature. Let us hope that someone starts taking the situation in hand and stops kicking the long-term can down the road.

Marilyn B. Lee

Mililani

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