Memory Care in Hawaii
Alzheimer's and other dementias are becoming a public health crisis in Hawaii, accounting for approximately 480 deaths annually. The number of seniors with Alzheimer's is projected to grow by 20.7% between 2020 and 2025, and the disease is currently the 6th leading cause of death in Hawaii, according to the Alzheimer's Association. For seniors with a dementia diagnosis, memory care may be a long-term option for care that provides more assistance than traditional assisted living without round-the-clock care — and associated costs — offered in nursing homes.
Memory care facilities often offer secured grounds or wings to prevent wandering and train staff in various de-escalation and communication techniques designed for those with cognitive impairments. Modified activities help stimulate the memory and meet the needs of seniors according to their current ability level. Memory care typically costs about 25% more than standard assisted living. In Hawaii, the average cost of memory care is $5,469, which is $405 more than the national average, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey.
This guide offers information about memory care in Hawaii, including average costs, financial assistance programs that may be available and free resources for seniors and their caregivers.
SeniorAdvice's Guide to Memory Care in Hawaii
Hawaii is a state that has lots to recommend it for seniors, earning a SeniorScore of 76. The national average score is just 72. Scoring is based on more than 100 variables, broken down into four, easy-to-understand categories that directly impact seniors. For example, Hawaii scores highest in the General Quality of Life category with a whopping 85. Its lowest-scoring category is Health and Safety, but at 59, even that number is fairly high compared to many other states.
Several factors contribute to the very high General Quality of Life score for Hawaii, including exceptional year-round weather. This Pacific state averages about 47 inches of rainfall per year, and temperatures rarely drop below 67 degrees Fahrenheit or go above 82. The very mild climate means seniors can spend most of the year enjoying the miles of beaches and greenery on one of Hawaii's developed or largely untouched islands. With 67 golf courses, lots of tours and cultural attractions and plenty to see and do, life in Hawaii is like a year-round vacation.
Hawaii scores lowest in Health and Safety at 59, but many of the metrics that go into this score are surprisingly high. For example, average life expectancy is 2.7 years longer in Hawaii at 81.3 than the national average of 78.6. Many Medicare-registered physicians and access to local hospitals make this state a top choice for many retirees seeking a tropical weather pattern and lots of outdoor adventures.
Top Memory Care Communities in Hawaii
Maunalani Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is located in the Waialae-Kahala area of Honolulu, Hawaii. It is a 100 bed nursing home facility. The facility is in a generally upper class area, with a median per-family income of $78,882. ...
Situated within the Whitmore Village area of Wahiawa, Hawaii, Wahiawa General Hospital is a 93 unit skilled nursing facility. With an average family income of $53,401, the community is in a generally middle class area. It has a ...
Ka Punawai Ola is a 120 room senior care facility located in the Makakilo City neighborhood of Kapolei, Hawaii. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with around 40,000 poeple living in the 96707 zip code. With a median ...
Ann Pearl Rehabilitation and Healthcare is a 104 bed nursing facility. It is located in the Heeia neighborhood of Kaneohe, Hawaii. With an average per-household income of $90,519, the facility is in a predominantly wealthier area. It ...
Life Care Center of Hilo is located at 944 West Kawailani St in Hilo, Hawaii. It is a 252 bed senior housing facility. With an average household income of $53,729, the community is in a predominantly middle class ...
Situated in the Palolo neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii, Palolo Chinese Home is a 61 room senior housing facility. With a median per-family income of $78,882, the community is in a largely upper class area. It has a dense ...
Situated in the Punaluu area of the city, Oceanside Hawaii Assisted Living is a senior housing facility serving Hauula, Hawaii. The surrounding area is sparsely populated, with roughly 7,000 individuals living in the 96717 zip code. With an ...
Hawaii Kai is a senior housing community situated near the Hawaii Kai area of Honolulu, Hawaii. With an average per-household income of $79,571, the facility is in a primarily upscale area. It is densely populated, with around 31,000 ...
15 Craigside is a 11 unit senior housing community situated within the Liliha-Kapalama neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaii. The encompassing area has a dense population, with roughly 56,000 individuals residing in the 96817 zip code. With a median household ...
Located near by the Waihee-Waiehu neighborhood of Wailuku, Hawaii, Hale Makua Health Services is a 90 room nursing home facility. The surrounding area is heavily populated, with around 31,000 poeple living in the zip code of 96793. It ...
Kauai Care Center is a 53 unit senior care community situated around the Pakala Village neighborhood of Waimea, Hawaii. The encompassing area is sparsely populated, with about 3,000 residents in the 96796 zip code. With an average household ...
Located nearby the Wainaku area of Hilo, Hawaii, Hale Anuenue Restorative Care is a 120 unit senior housing community. The neighboring area is heavily populated, with around 47,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 96720. With a ...
Life Care Center of Kona is a 94 room senior care community located in the Kahaluu-Keauhou neighborhood of Kailua Kona, Hawaii. The community is in a generally middle class area, with a median household income of $64,253. It ...
Situated within the Downtown neighborhood, The Plaza at Punchbowl is a senior housing community in Honolulu, Hawaii. The encompassing area is heavily populated, with about 46,000 poeple living in the zip code of 96822. It is a mostly ...
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Care Center is a 44 bed senior care community situated nearby the Heeia neighborhood of Kaneohe, Hawaii. The surrounding area is densely populated, with approximately 55,000 people residing in the 96744 zip code. It ...
Regency at Puakea is a senior care community located in the Puhi neighborhood of Lihue, Hawaii. The neighboring area has a medium-density population, with approximately 16,000 individuals residing in the zip code of 96766. With an average family ...
Hale Makua Health Services is a 254 room nursing home facility. It is located at 472 Kaulana St in Kahului, Hawaii. The community is in a primarily middle income area, with an average per-household income of $57,566. ...
Situated in the Downtown neighborhood, The Plaza at Moanalua is a senior housing community in Honolulu, Hawaii. With an average per-household income of $67,978, the facility is in a mostly middle income area. It is heavily populated, with ...
Located in the Waipio Acres neighborhood, The Plaza at Mililani is a senior care facility in Mililani, Hawaii. The community is in a largely well-to-do area, with an average per-household income of $92,471. With approximately 55,000 people residing ...
KAL?KAUA GARDENS is Oahu's premier senior living community. Just steps from the heart of Waikiki, Kal?kaua Gardens offers a one-of-a-kind senior living experience. Carefully designed spaces for seniors who desire to embrace a vibrant and healthy lifestyle with countless opportunities ...
The Cost of Memory Care in Hawaii
Memory care is a specific type of long-term residential care available for seniors who have Alzheimer's or another dementia that may impact their ability to live alone. These facilities often provide specially trained staff, games and activities designed to stimulate the memory and progressive care for those with increasing assistance needs. While memory care is often considered another form of assisted living, costs typically run 20 to 30% higher due to the increased care needs for these residents. The numbers used in this guide are derived by taking assisted living averages collected by Genworth's Cost of Care Survey and adding 25% to those costs.
Hawaii is one of the more affordable options for those seeking memory care along the Pacific coast. While the national average is just $5,064, all coastal states are more expensive than the $5,469 monthly average for Hawaii. Oregon and California are the most comparable at $5,624 and $5,625, respectively. Alaska costs an average of $7,500, or $2,031 more than in Hawaii.
- Hawaii: $5,469
- U.S. Average: $5,064
- Alaska: $7,500
- California: $5,625
- Washington: $6,875
- Oregon: $5,624
The Cost of Memory Care in Hawaii's Top Cities
While many of the islands that make up Hawaii are densely populated, there are only two cities with available cost data — Honolulu and Kahului. Honolulu, the state's largest city located on Oahu, is also the most expensive option for memory care in the state with costs averaging $5,625 per month. Kahului, the major city and travel hub on Maui, is also home to several memory care facilities, and the cost of care in this region is a more moderate $5,375 per month, which is significantly closer to the national average of $5,064.
- Honolulu: $5,625
- Kahului: $5,375
Senior Care Cost Comparison in Hawaii
Residential care, which includes room and board along with various assistive services, is typically the most expensive form of senior care, with nursing homes at the top end of the spectrum. In general, the level and duration of care offered plays a major role in the total cost. At $5,469 per month, memory care is less than half the cost of nursing home care in Hawaii, which averages $11,650. It is more expensive than traditional assisted living by an average of $1,094 per month, but the extra care level is often directly related to the increased pricing.
More affordable options such as in-home health care or home health care might save a senior between $249 and $369 per month, but room and board is not included. While the direct care costs are lower for in-home options, the total cost is substantially higher. For seniors with a primary caregiver available to offer assistance outside of working hours, adult day care might be an option and is certainly the most affordable care type at $1,582 per month.
- Memory Care: $5,469
- Assisted Living: $4,375
- In-Home Care: $5,100
- Home Health Care: $5,220
- Adult Day Care: $1,582
- Nursing Home Care: $11,650
Financial Assistance for Memory Care in Hawaii
QUEST Integration Program
Address: 801 Dillingham Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone Number: (855) 643-1643
Website: http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/mqd/
Hawaii's Medicaid program, known as Med-Quest, administers several programs designed to provide long-term care and support to the elderly and adults with disabilities. The Quest Integration Program offers coverage for residential care at a memory care facility or in a wing dedicated to seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia inside a larger assisted living facility. Eligible participants must meet income and asset guidelines to qualify, along with age or functional requirements. As a Medicaid entitlement program, there are no waiting lists prior to obtaining service. The Quest Integration Program doesn't include room and board costs for seniors who move into a memory care facility.
VA Aid & Attendance Benefit
Address: 459 Patterson Road, East Wing, Room 2A100C, Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone Number: (800) 698-2411
Website: https://www.va.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound/
Hawaii veterans who have stayed in service for long enough to qualify may apply for the Aid & Attendance benefit to help pay for additional supportive services. This benefit is a direct financial addition to an existing pension with no restrictions on how the money is spent. Veterans and family members who qualify for the benefit can use it for room and board expenses in addition to any assisted living services offered in a memory care facility. To qualify, applicants must be at least 65 years old or have a recognized disability and have a diagnosed need for help with the activities of daily living such as eating, bathing and dressing. When determining the benefit amount, seniors living in a memory care facility can deduct the cost of residential care from their income to maximize the amount of the benefit. The maximum annual benefit is $27,194 per year.
Hawaii Memory Care Rules and Regulations
Memory care facilities in Hawaii are regulated by the Hawaii Department of Health's Office of Health Care Assurance (OHCA). The OHCA licenses both assisted living facilities (ALFs) and adult residential care homes (ARCHs). ALFs typically offer memory care in a specific wing of a larger facility, while ARCHs have two types of licensing for facilities that house fewer than five seniors and those that house six or more. Hawaii doesn't have regulations specific to memory care services offered in ALFs or ARCHs.
Every two years, the Department of Health performs inspections to ensure all facilities continue to meet licensing requirements. Unscheduled inspections may take place at any time in response to a complaint.
Scope of Care | Residential care facilities must offer bedrooms that measure at least 220 square feet and include a full bathroom. Apartments must have a kitchen with a refrigerator, sink and cooking space. There are no specific rules about memory care facilities, though patients in these wings may benefit from features such as enclosed outdoor spaces and circular hallways. In general, all residential facilities must also provide meals, access to medical care, transportation and appropriate social opportunities and activities. |
Care Plans | Hawaii memory care facilities must perform a full needs assessment for each incoming resident. A medical professional employed at the facility must conduct the assessment, which is used to create a comprehensive care plan that details assistive needs and any other move-in details such as apartment preparations. |
Medication Management | In an ALF, residents may self-administer medications with some assistance, typically under the delegation of a registered nurse. In ARCHs, residents who are capable may self-administer most medications, though direct care staff may also assist under the direction of an RN, particularly with injectable medications. |
Staffing | Hawaii has no state regulations that dictate staffing levels in an ALF or ARCH. While there is no specific minimum staff-to-resident ratio, all facilities must employ enough staff 24/7 to meet the needs of all residents. Licensed nursing staff must be part of the care team and available seven days a week. All staff must be trained to administer CPR and first aid to senior residents and must complete at least six hours of annual in-service training in addition to an original orientation. |
Medicaid Coverage | Med-Quest, Hawaii’s Medicaid program, covers memory care services provided in an ALF or ARCH through the Quest Integration Program. Quest Integration is an entitlement program available to all eligible seniors in Hawaii. While the program pays for memory care services, room and board are specifically excluded. |
Reporting Abuse | For suspected abuse or neglect of a resident in an ALF or ARCH, Hawaii residents can contact the office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman by calling 1-808-586-7268. |
Free Memory Care Resources in Hawaii
Circle of Care for Dementia
Administered by Catholic Charities of Hawaii, the Circle of Care for Dementia is a program funded by a federal grant that offers various services and assistance to seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's and their family and caregivers. The program offers training and educational resources designed to assist caregivers in providing help to an aging relative or loved one with dementia. Additional programs are expected to be added over time.
Alzheimer's Association - Aloha Chapter
In addition to local and national advocacy efforts, the Alzheimer's Association offers various supports to both seniors with dementia and their caregivers. The 24/7 Helpline is always available at 1-800-272-3900, and the website contains a large library of resources for those interested in learning more about caring for someone with dementia. There are no limitations on who can use these services.
Hawaii Alzheimer's Disease Initiative
The University of Hawaii Center on Aging operates the Hawaii Alzheimer's Disease Initiative which works with seniors, caregivers and health care providers to improve the quality of care available throughout the state. In addition to a library of videos designed to educate caregivers about potential problems and treatments for seniors with dementia, HADI also has various professional resources and care coordination tools available. This program is offered on a referral basis.
Hawaii Agencies
Department of Human Services
Phone: (855) 643-1643
Website: https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/
In Hawaii, the Department of Human Services manages referrals and placement in adult foster homes, including those designed for seniors with dementia. These facilities are generally only available to low-income seniors who meet functional guidelines for foster care housing.
Area Agencies on Aging in Hawaii
Local Area Agencies on Aging act as referral and information centers for seniors seeking assistance with various issues from housing to medical care. These offices may provide Medicare counseling, case management services, and assistance in enrolling in available public programs. They may also provide information about any available private assistance.
Veteran Affairs Offices in Hawaii
Seniors who served in the armed forces and their family members may qualify for financial benefits that can pay for some or all of the expenses associated with residential memory care. A local Veteran Affairs office can help determine what benefits are available to applicants and the amount of the benefit. The Aid & Attendance benefit provides direct financial assistance that can be spent at the senior's discretion, including on room and board expenses related to memory care.
Social Security Offices in Hawaii
Hawaii's Social Security offices provide information about retirement benefit amounts, how to start receiving benefits, signing up for Medicare and other information. For seniors with a disability, Social Security offices are also the best place to get information about eligibility and assistance filling out applications.