About the City & County of Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division
The Elderly Affairs Division (EAD) has been the designated Area Agency on Aging for Oahu since 1973. Created by the Older Americans Act of 1965, it is one of 600 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide.
Its mission is to develop a comprehensive and coordinated system of services to assist older persons in leading independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
Honolulu County
Our Services
The Division coordinates advocacy efforts on behalf of older adults, encourages partnerships to improve and expand services, and contracts with agencies to provide services to older adults and caregivers. Please see below for our available services.
- Caregiver Respite, Support, and Education
- Case Management
- Health Promotion
- Home Delivered and Congregate Meals
- Homemaker and Attendant Care
- Housing Information and Assistance
- Legal Information and Assistance
- Personal Care
- Senior Centers
- Transportation
The Elderly Affairs Division also has an Information and Assistance Unit which offers the following:
- Elderly Affairs Helpline (808-768-7700)
- Telephone consultation, information, and referral to services
- Assessments of frail and homebound elders
- Speakers, event exhibits, publications, website
- Volunteer opportunities for active seniors (RSVP Program)
Supporting a Diverse and Evolving Aging Population
Advances in healthcare and differing lifestyles have made the frail and elderly a more diverse group. Many people in their 50s are developing chronic conditions requiring ongoing care, while some in their 80s and 90s remain independent but face dementia or social isolation. Today’s older adults span multiple generations, each with unique values, adding complexity to Hawaii’s aging population.
The Aging Network, a collection of groups and providers supporting older adults, now needs more collaboration and innovation. As aging impacts everyone, understanding the process helps improve care and prevent crises.
Whether you’re a grandchild caring for grandparents, a working adult managing parents’ health, or simply a neighbor, knowing how to handle dementia, recognize isolation or exploitation, or navigating the healthcare system can significantly impact your loved ones and community.
Our Mission
Our mission as the Aging Network is to develop and support opportunities that enable older adults to live to their fullest capacity in their homes and communities.
As a result of the Older Americans Act passed by Congress in 1965, a social and nutrition services program for America’s older adults was established. In addition, State and Area Offices on Aging were established and a nationwide “Aging Network” was created to assist older adults to meet their physical, social, mental health, and other needs and to maintain their well-being and independence.
The Elderly Affairs Division (EAD) of the Department of Community Services is the Area Agency on Aging for the City and County of Honolulu. It shall proactively advocate, plan, coordinate linkages with other agencies, share information, monitor and evaluate programs and services, to lead to the development or enhancement of comprehensive community based systems. Systems shall be designed to assist older persons in leading independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities as long as possible.
Age-Friendly Honolulu
Striving to promote active aging, intergenerational connection, and social inclusion.
Each year, Age-Friendly Honolulu staff meets with City Department representatives to learn about their department’s current age-friendly initiatives.
Along with identifying new and current Strategies and Actions, this year staff gathered new insights, including the sustainability of programs, barriers and key factors for success, and categorized each action to its corresponding age-friendly domain.
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you! Please fill out this contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you.
Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP)
The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), sponsored by the Honolulu County Elderly Affairs Division and administered by AmeriCorps Seniors, connects adults 55 and older with volunteer opportunities that match their interests.
RSVP supports the needs of the community while honoring Honolulu’s cultural diversity and aloha spirit.