Home Care in Hawaii
As a picturesque tropical paradise with an abundance of natural beauty and cultural destinations, Hawaii is an island state that's long been an attraction for older adults. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 19% of the population in Hawaii, which is 2.5% higher than the national average. In addition to breathtaking geography and year-round warm weather, Hawaii offers seniors plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities and resources to live independently at home. Locals and tourists can enjoy everything from the USS Arizona Memorial to Mauna Kea.
Seniors and families can get a more detailed picture of how comfortable Hawaii might be to live by examining the state's SeniorScore. Hawaii earned an overall SeniorScore of 76, which is four points higher than the national average of 72. The state scored highest in the General Quality of Life category and lowest in the Health & Safety category. The scores for Finances and Recreation & Leisure are identical.
Further in this guide, more information is available about home care costs in Hawaii. Links to financial assistance options and free home care resources are also available.
Top Home Care Agencies in Hawaii
Home Instead Senior Care is a home care provider located in Honolulu, Hawaii at 1600 Kapiolani Blvd Ste 212. They provide home health care in addition to personal care services for senior clients. They can provide various personal services ...
Located at 1016 Hao St in Honolulu, Hawaii, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is an in-home care service provider offering personal care services and in-home medical services. They can provide memory care and CPR. They also can provide a variety ...
Located in Honolulu, Hawaii at 615 Piikoi Street, Suite 601, Bayada Home Health Care is a home care service provider that offers in-home personal care services in addition to in-home nursing services. Since 2014, they have been helping customers in ...
Located in Honolulu, HI at 1210 Artesian Street, Suite 201, Kokua Nurses Inc is a home healthcare provider that offers home health care as well as in-home personal care services. Since 1985, they have been serving clients throughout the Honolulu ...
Located in Honolulu, Hawaii at 680 Iwilei Road, Suite 660, Careresource Hawaii is a senior home healthcare provider offering home care services as well as in-home medical care. They have been providing care in Hawaii since 1986. They offer a ...
Located in Honolulu, HI at 2226 Liliha Street, Suite 505, St Francis Home Care Services is a home care provider offering home care services in addition to in-home health care. They have been in business in Hawaii for nearly 52 ...
Located in Honolulu, HI at 3375 Koapaka Street, Suite I-570, Prime Care Services Hawaii Inc is an in-home care provider that offers home health services along with home care. For nearly 24 years, they have been helping clients in the ...
Located at 2200 Main Street, Suite 660 in Wailuku, Hawaii, Bayada Home Health Care is an in-home care service provider offering in-home nursing services in addition to home care. Since 2013, they have been providing care to clients throughout the ...
Ohana Home Health is a home care provider located in Kalaheo, Hawaii at 2-2488 B Kaumualii Hwy. They provide in-home personal care along with home health services for senior clientele. Since 2013, they have been serving clients in the ...
Located at 4473 Pahe'e Street, Suite N in Lihue, HI, Stfrancis Home Care Services - Kauai is a in-home care company offering home care along with in-home nursing care. Since 1977, they have been serving customers throughout the Lihue area. ...
West Hawaii Home Health Services is a senior home health care provider located in Captain Cook, HI at 82-5899 Old Government Rd. They offer in-home medical services as well as in-home personal care services to seniors. Since 1996, they ...
Located in Wahiawa, Hawaii at 1008 California Avenue, Unit A101, Wahiawa General Hospital HHA is a home health care service provider offering personal home care services along with in-home health services. Since 1996, they have been helping seniors in the ...
Located in Wailuku, HI at 55 Maui Lani Pkwy, Kaiser Permanente Home Health Agency Maui is a home health care company offering in-home medical services and also in-home personal care services. They have been serving customers in Hawaii for nearly ...
Located in Honolulu, HI at 2828 Pa'a Street #2048, Kaiser Home Health Agency - Oahu is a senior in-home care service provider that offers in-home nursing and in-home personal care. They have been serving seniors in Hawaii for nearly 25 ...
Located at 67-1125 Mamalahoa Hwy in Kamuela, Hawaii, Kohala Home Health Care of North Hawa'ii Community Hospital is an in-home care service provider that offers personal home care and home healthcare. They have been serving clients in Kamuela for 28 ...
Castle Home Care is a home health care provider based in Kaneohe, HI at 46 001 Kamehameha Highway, Suite 212. They provide home care as well as home health services to senior clients. For nearly 30 years, they have ...
Hale Makua Home Health Services is a home healthcare service provider based in Wailuku, Hawaii at 1520 East Main St. They offer home care services along with in-home nursing care to senior clients. They have been in business in ...
Located in Hilo, HI at 45 Mohouli Street, Suite 201, Hilo Medical Center Home Care is a senior home care provider offering in-home nursing and also home care. Since 1969, they have been serving clients throughout the Hilo area. ...
The Cost of Home Care in Hawaii
Hawaii residents are used to paying more for most goods and services compared to the mainland, and home care is no exception. According to the Genworth 2019 Cost of Care Survey, in-home care costs an average of $5,100 per month, which is $810 more than the national average. Nonmedical personal services, including companionship and help with daily living activities, are included with this type of service. Home health care, which costs $5,220 per month, is slightly more expensive because it includes skilled nursing services.
The Cost of Home Care in Hawaii Compared to Nearby States
Compared to the mainland United States as a whole, home care in Hawaii is expensive at $5,100 per month. It is not, however, more expensive than the nearest states on the west coast. In California, seniors pay more for both in-home care and home health care. This is also true in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Home health care can cost up to $500 more per month in parts of the west coast than in Hawaii.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Hawaii | $5,100 | $5,220 |
The United States | $4,290 | $4,385 |
Oregon | $5,148 | $5,339 |
California | $5,335 | $5,339 |
Washington | $5,720 | $5,815 |
Alaska | $5,621 | $5,716 |
The Cost of Other Senior Care Options in Hawaii
Seniors in Hawaii have other options for care in addition to home care, including adult day care, assisted living and nursing home care. By a margin of more than $2,000, adult day care is the most affordable option at $1,582 per month. This service is delivered outside the home at community-based centers. The most expensive type of service is nursing home care, which costs $13,368 per month for a private room. Assisted living services cost an average of $4,375.
- In-Home Care: $5,100
- Home Health Care: $5,220
- Adult Day Care: $1,582
- Assisted Living Facility: $4,375
- Nursing Home Care: $13,368
The Cost of Home Care in Hawaii's Top Cities
Hawaii is a relatively small state, so there is only data available for two cities when it comes to the cost of home care. Oahu and Maui have the largest populations, so that is where data is available. Honolulu on Oahu has an average home care cost of $5,148 per month and an average home health care cost of $5,148 per month. Other cities on Oahu, such as Kailua and Kapolei, are likely to have similar costs. Home health care and home care in Kahului on Maui are also priced the same at $5,053.
| Cost of Home Care | Cost of Home Health Care |
Hawaii | $5,100 | $5,220 |
Honolulu | $5,148 | $5,148 |
Kahului | $5,053 | $5,053 |
Financial Assistance for Home Care in Hawaii
Med-QUEST
Low-income seniors in Hawaii can get help paying for home health services, emergency alert systems and some other home care equipment and services by signing up for the state's comprehensive Medicaid system. To qualify for Medicaid, residents aged 65 and over cannot earn more than $1,224 per month and must not have assets that exceed $2,000. Assets do not include a primary residence, furnishings or vehicles.
Contact Information
Seniors who want to receive benefits from Med-QUEST can apply online. There are also division offices throughout the state each with their own phone numbers.
Kupuna Care (KC)
This state-funded program is designed to give seniors the financial assistance they need to remain independent in their own homes. It's intended for older adults who don't qualify for other government assistance or private programs, such as those who earn too much for Medicaid but earn too little for private care. Kupuna Care services can include everything from assistance with daily activities to home-delivered meals and local transportation.
Contact Information
To learn more about eligibility or start an application, call the statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center at (808) 643-2372.
Chore Services Program
Seniors who are unable to keep their own homes in a safe and habitable condition can use the Chore Services Program to pay for assistants who can fulfill a wide range of homemaker responsibilities. Since the funds provided by this program are self-directed, seniors can hire their preferred helpers, including family members. Services provided can include housecleaning, laundering, shopping and meal preparation. To qualify seniors must be eligible for Medicaid and SSI.
Contact Information
More information and assistance is available from Hawaii's Department of Human Services at (855) 643-1643.
Community Living Program
The Community Living Program aims to keep Hawaii seniors out of nursing homes by funding equipment and services in their homes. The program can pay for companionship services, medical equipment, home modifications and personal care. As a self-directed program, eligible seniors can hire their own professionals or family members as they see fit. The beneficiary is responsible for adhering to a monthly budget and submitting the appropriate paperwork.
Contact Information
Seniors interested in the Community Living Program can contact their local office on aging or the statewide number at (808) 586-0100.
More Ways to Pay for Home Care
Since the programs mentioned above might not cover all the costs associated with home care, and not everyone may be eligible, alternative payment methods will often need to be explored. Some of these alternatives include out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance, and more. Read SeniorAdvice's Guide to Paying for Home Care to find out more about your payment and financing options.
Hawaii Home Care Rules and Regulations
In Hawaii, in-home care is provided by personal care service agencies and skilled care is provided by home health agencies. Licensure for home health agencies is provided by the state's Office of Health Care Assurance, and licensing is being considered for personal care agencies. The state legislature established licensing regulations when it passed Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 97. Individuals or agencies operating unlicensed home health agencies are subject to civil fines and/or imprisonment.
Scope of Care | The statute describes a home health agency as a public or private organization that provides indirect skilled nursing and other therapeutic services to patients in their own homes on a part-time or temporary basis. |
Care Plan Requirements | Home health agencies are responsible for creating and maintaining a treatment plan that's approved by a physician who cares for the patient. Professional caregivers are responsible for notifying the physician about changes in the patient's condition that may alter this plan. The plan must be entered into the patient's medical record. For nonmedical services, the home care provider must develop a service plan in coordination with the client or the client's representative. The service plan should be reviewed annually, and changes in the client's condition necessitating alternate care need to be put into the plan. |
Medication Management Requirements | Homemaker care workers are permitted to remind their clients to take their oral medication. Qualified home healthcare workers are allowed to administer medication as directed by the client's physician. |
Staff Screening Requirements | Each employee or volunteer of a home health care agency must pass a background check to ensure they have no criminal history of abuse, neglect, threatening harm against an adult or child. Administrators must also screen for any other offenses that bear a rational relationship to the employee's duties. |
Staff Training Requirements | Hawaii state law has training requirements for any person employed as a home health aide. The person must have passed a nurse aide course, or equivalent, in the community college system and gone through necessary supervision and training to successfully fulfill their duties. |
Medicaid Coverage | Low-income seniors can get help paying for homemaker and home health care services through the Med-QUEST system. Case managers are assigned to each beneficiary to determine which waiver programs can help a senior remain healthy and independent within their own homes. |
Reporting Abuse | All medical and nonmedical professionals providing care within a senior's home in Hawaii are required to report abuse to Adult Protective Services. Reports are accepted by phone. Emergencies should be directed to 911. |
Free Home Care Resources in Hawaii
Seniors in Hawaii have access to many programs and services that help older adults maintain their independence and safely age in place. Below, we've compiled a few of the most helpful resources:
Office of Veterans' Services
Hawaii's Office of Veterans' Services helps vets and their surviving spouses access benefits that can help pay for home care equipment and services. In addition to benefits assistance, the office offers counseling, advocacy, outreach and referrals to other helpful organizations. Representatives also help resolve disputes that vets may have with home care providers and other organizations.
Contact Information
Vets interested in benefits or other information can call the main office at (808) 433-0420.
Hawaii Meals on Wheels
There are several Meals on Wheels programs in Hawaii that serve homebound seniors who are unable to obtain or prepare their own meals. The Hawaii Meals on Wheels serves the largest population in the state on Oahu with help from the Elderly Affairs Division of Honolulu. Medicaid recipients can sign up for meal deliveries through their caseworker. One of the eligibility requirements is that seniors must be able to feed themselves or have a caregiver who can feed them available.
Contact Information
Seniors who want to apply for meal deliveries can call their local Elderly Affairs Office or Medicaid representative.
Section 504 Home Repair Program
Many seniors in Hawaii need to make repairs in order to keep their homes safe and accessible, and this USDA loan program can help. Older adults aged 62 and over who are low income may be eligible for a grant, meaning no repayment is required. Grants have a total limit of $7,500, and the money must be repaid if the home is sold within three years. The maximum loan amount is $20,000 and can be repaid over 20 years.
Contact Information
Applicants for loans or grants call the USDA Hawaii and Western Pacific office at (808) 933-8301.
Executive Office on Aging
This office coordinates a wide range of aging and caregiver support services to seniors, families and professionals throughout the Hawaiian islands. The programs provided by the Office of Aging include health insurance assistance, health aging, in-home services and family caregiver support. More information about current developments and future plans for the office in the Hawaii State Plan on Aging.
Contact Information
The main Executive Aging Office is located in Honolulu and can be contacted at (808) 586-0100. There are also local offices in Hawaii, Maui and Kauai.
Hawaii Homestead Exemption
Hawaii's homestead exemption laws reduce the assessed value of properties throughout the state for tax purposes. The amount of this exemption depends on the county where the home is located. On Oahu, seniors aged 65 and over who own the home they live in can get an exemption of up to $140,000. On Kauai, the exemption is $180,000 for adults aged 60 to 70 and $200,000 for those aged over 70. Maui has an exemption of $200,000 with no age requirement. Seniors can use these tax savings to help pay for home care.
Contact Information
Seniors can find the tax exemption for their location by contacting their county's website or calling Hawaii's Tax Services Department at (808) 587-4242.