21 Assisted Living Communities in Honolulu, Hawaii

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,750 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 21 Assisted Living Communities in Honolulu and several in surrounding areas.

• Assisted living: $5,750
• Nursing home semiprivate room: $11,072
• In-home care: $4,862
• Adult day health services: $1,733

Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey for 2018 notes that the median cost of assisted living services in the urban Honolulu area is around $5,750 per month. That’s quite a bit above the national average of $4,000 a month, but only slightly above the Hawaii state average of $5,500.

Seniors who are willing to settle in an assisted living facility on another island can take advantage of the $4,300 per month average cost in the Kahului area or the $4,500 average monthly cost elsewhere in the state. A move to another island could save seniors in assisted living communities as much as $17,400 per year.

How much long-term care costs for any senior depends on a variety of factors including their health and what types of services they require. Assisted living, which typically allows for some help with various daily activities, doesn’t offer the same level of care as nursing home services. But it’s also not nearly as expensive. In urban Honolulu, assisted living costs are, on average, 48 percent less than the costs associated with nursing home care in a semiprivate room. Assisted living costs in Honolulu are also only around $888 more than in-home care. Since assisted living expenses cover things such as meals, social activities and accommodations, this option can actually be cheaper than care in one’s home. When seniors pay for assistance in their homes, they also typically have to cover the cost of home maintenance, rent or mortgages and expenses related to transportation, social outings and food. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

• Assisted living: $5,750

• Homemaker services: $4,751

• Home health aide: $5,339

• Adult day health: $1,733

• Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $11,072

 

Hawaii’s Medicaid program is administered under the Med-QUEST Division of the state’s Department of Human Services. Honolulu seniors older than 65 can qualify for Medicaid services if they have an income of $1,198 or less per month. The Med-QUEST site doesn’t publish exact income and other requirements for Hawaii Medicaid due to the complex and changing nature of these requirements. Instead, individuals are encouraged to complete an online pre-assessment to determine potential eligibility or to just apply; the online application includes an assessment of eligibility.

Hawaii Medicaid covers a variety of health and wellness services, either as the primary payer or as secondary to Medicare (for adults age 65 and older who qualify). That includes home and community-based services such as assisted living services, home-delivered meals, moving assistance, nonmedical transportation, respite care and home maintenance. Individuals who are considering moving to an assisted living facility may wish to apply for these benefits through Med-QUEST.

Honolulu seniors can apply for coverage online.

Kupuna Care

Hawaii also offers a state assistance program for individuals who are not eligible for coverage under Medicaid plans or waivers. Kapuna Care provides funding to assist individuals in remaining in their own homes even when they may need some support. Eligibility requirements include being 60 years of age or older and not being eligible for assistance via Medicaid. That means this program may be available to people in Honolulu who have income that is above the federal poverty guidelines for Hawaii, which is the cutoff for Medicaid eligibility in the state.

Kapuna Care covers benefits such as adult day care, respite care, assistance with activities of daily living, homemaker services, home modifications and recreational activities. The county Area Agencies on Aging administer the program, and individuals can apply for benefits through those offices.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

The ADRC offers assistance for seniors who are seeking a variety of services. The agency provides some financial aid or help navigating the various forms of support available throughout the Honolulu area. Individuals who are interested in working with the agency to understand their options or seek help with assisted living services can call 808-768-7700. Seniors and their family members can also navigate the ADRC website for more information on assistance and to make an application. This would be a good place to start for seniors or family members who simply aren’t sure what options are available to them, and it’s a great place to turn when seniors are told they are not eligible for Medicaid programs to help cover the cost of assisted living and related services.

Each of the counties in Hawaii offers an Office on Aging where seniors can seek expert advice about benefits, assisted living options or other matters. Executive Office on Aging
No.1 Capitol District
250 South Hotel Street, Suite 406, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-2831
(808) 586-0100 Honolulu County
Elderly Affairs Division
925 Dillingham Blvd., Suite 200, Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
(808) 768-7700

The offices of Veterans Affairs help veterans access all the benefits afforded to them, including those related to assisted living.

Office of Veterans’ Services
459 Patterson Road
E-Wing, Room 1-A103, Honolulu, HI 96819-1522
(808) 433-0420

OAHU (Diamond Head) Office of Veterans’ Services
459 Patterson Road
E-Wing, Room 1-A103, Honolulu, HI 96819-1522
(808) 433-0420

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.