In-Home Care in Hawaii

Seniors looking for a slower pace of life may find that the laidback island living offered in Hawaii is a good choice. Warm temperatures and cooling breezes mean the weather lets seniors enjoy clean air and beautiful vistas throughout the year. With 19% of the state’s 1.4 million residents aged 65 and over, there are also plenty of services to help seniors age independently.

Hawaii has excellent healthcare access with facilities like Queen’s Medical Center providing specialist geriatric care. Seniors also have access to quality home care in the Aloha State. Those looking for non-medical assistance, such as help with activities of daily living, pay an average of $5,720 per month for in-home care. Home health care, which includes medical help such as skilled nursing, costs the same for Hawaiian seniors. 

This guide has further information about the cost of in-home care and other senior living options in Hawaii. We also include details about available financial assistance and low-cost resources for seniors aging in place.

The Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that the average cost of in-home care in Hawaii is $5,720 per month. This is $763 higher than the national average of $4,957. Hawaii is still more affordable than most other states with a Pacific coastline. At $5,720, in-home care costs in Alaska are equal to those in Hawaii. In Oregon, the price averages $6,006 per month, while in California prices rise to $6,101. Washington has the least affordable in-home care among Pacific states, with seniors there paying $6,547 per month.

The cost of care in Hawaii can vary depending on where you live. Honolulu’s costs average $5,720, equal to the state average. Kahului has more affordable care, with seniors paying $5,291. Other warm beachside locations are less affordable than Hawaii. In Southern California, costs in Los Angeles average $5,911 and seniors in San Diego pay $6,387 monthly.

Older adults in Hawaii have an array of senior care options to choose from to meet their needs and stay within their budgets. At $1,625 per month, adult day health care is an affordable choice that provides care during the day. Assisted living costs are also lower than in-home care at $5,375. Seniors who require medical care in the home pay $5,720 for home health care, the same as in-home care. Due to the high level of assistance provided, nursing home care is the most expensive option at $12,501 per month.

In Hawaii, Medicaid is known as Med-QUEST. It offers a range of benefits to participants, including long-term care provided in the home. This is known as Medicaid Fee-For-Service. To be eligible for long-term support, applicants must be either disabled or aged 65 and over and meet the financial eligibility criteria. They must also be certified as requiring these services for at least 30 consecutive days.

Med-QUEST covers all kinds of long-term services including nursing home care and some care provided in group living situations. It also provides care in the home, including personal care, home health care, chore services, transport and meal delivery. Every participant receives a custom care plan to ensure they get the services they need.

Consumer direction is part of the program, allowing participants to choose their own care providers. The program also allows family members, including spouses, to be paid for caregiving provided through the program.

Hawaiian residents can apply for Medicaid online at the KOLEA website or over the phone by calling Med-QUEST at 1-800-316-8005. Application forms can also be filled out online, printed and mailed or faxed to a local Med-QUEST Division Eligibility Office.

What Information You Will Need

In order to process your application, Med-QUEST must verify certain information. As part of your application, you may be asked to provide proof of:

• Identity
• Social Security Number
• Age
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Income and assets
• Current health insurance

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.