Assisted Living in Hawaii

Renown for its balmy weather, beautiful beaches and the Aloha friendliness of its kama’aina (residents), the Hawaiian lifestyle is the envy of many.

Each of the state’s major islands offers a different way of life from the leisurely small-town ways of Kaua’i, Lana’i and Moloka’i to the hustle and bustle of life in a major urban metropolis on O’ahu to the exciting and entertaining life on Maui and the rural country vastness of the Big Island of Hawaii.

As the Melting Pot of the Pacific, Hawaii is a mix of many cultures. This mixture of Hawaiian and primarily Asian cultures creates a strong community sense of o’hana (family) and a respect of the kupuna (elders). According to the 2009 U.S. Census, 14.5% of the state’s population is over the age of 65. And with an aging population comes many options for assisted living in Hawaii.

Assisted Living in Hawaii Defined

The State of Hawaii defines an Assisted Living Facility as a combination of housing, healthcare services and personalized supportive services designed to respond to individual needs and promote choice, responsibility, independence, privacy, dignity and individuality. These facilities offer private apartments with common areas such as an activities room, dining room and laundry room.

The most available type of assisted living facility in Hawaii is an adult residential care home. There are two types of care homes:

• An Adult Residential Care Home provides 24-hour living accommodations with a non-relative providing care for seniors who need assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, protection and routine healthcare services.
• An Expanded Adult Residential Care Home provides professional health services that are usually offered in an intermediate or skilled nursing facility.

The most populous island of O’ahu has over 400 licensed Adult Residential Care Homes. These care homes provide care for five or less seniors in private family homes located within the neighborhoods throughout the community. There are a few large homes that provide accommodations for six or more residents. Some residential care homes are able to care for residents with special conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

Cost of Assisted Living in Hawaii

The cost of living in Hawaii is generally higher than the United States Mainland. Similarly, the cost of assisted living in Hawaii is higher than the national average. According to Genworth Financial’s Cost of Care 2011 survey, the median cost for a private room in a Hawaii assisted living facility is $45,900 per year. The cost of care in Adult Residential Care Homes varies greatly depending upon the home’s amenities and the level of care provided.

Here is a list of the average monthly rates* broken down by city for a one-bedroom, single-occupancy apartment in a Hawaii assisted living facility:

*Genworth Financial 2011 Cost of Care Survey.

The cost of assisted living in Hawaii is generally paid by seniors and their families. Medicaid may offer some assistance with these costs. In addition, the cost of personal items such as clothing, prescriptions, doctor visits and personal hygiene items remain the responsibility of the senior and their family.

Regulation of Assisted Living in Hawaii

The regulation, licensing and monitoring of Hawaii assisted living facilities statewide falls to the Hawaii State Department of Health. Each type of facility must comply with comprehensive regulations that cover:

• Building and physical requirements
• Site inspections
• Minimum qualifications for staff including criminal history checks and continuing training
• Admission and discharge policies
• Services provided
• Service standards
• Resident service plans

A care or service plan is required for each resident to ensure that the care given satisfies each resident’s individual needs.

Complaints about the care of seniors in assisted living facilities and adult residential care homes are investigated and resolved by the Hawaii Long-Term Care Ombudsman, a program of the state’s Executive Office on Aging. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman also advocates on behalf of assisted living residents.

Find Assisted Living in Hawaii

You can find Hawaii Assisted Living on O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i and the Island of Hawaii.

Written by senior housing writer Karen Tom.