Honolulu City and County's Resource for Aging, Disability and Caregiving

KUPUNA CAREGIVER Program Information:

• Caregiver must be employed at least 30 hours a week.  Per the Executive Office on Aging, self-employment will not qualify as employment for the purpose of this program.
• The care recipient must be 60 years or older and have impairments in conducting activities of daily living (ADL) and/or instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).
• The benefit is limited to $70 a day paid directly to a City and County of Honolulu contracted service provider. 

• Caregivers call the Senior Helpline and are screened for eligibility.
• Caregiver and Care Recipient are assessed in the home by Elderly Affairs Division staff.
• Eligible Caregivers are prioritized.
• Prioritized Caregivers choose from the providers that are contracted with the Elderly Affairs Division.
• Elderly Affairs Division authorizes services and refers Caregivers to contracted provider.
• Once capacity is met, a waitlist will be kept.  Waitlist will be ordered by level of caregiver burden and senior's needs.

• What is Adult Day Care?    The service provides supervision in a safe & comfortable environment, meals/snacks, and on-site activities for physical strengthening, mental stimulation, socialization and recreation.  Each provider has different operation hours from morning to evening which typically range from 9 to 11 hours.  Some providers may also assist with personal care/bathing, toileting, and/or incontinence, usually for an additional fee or through a higher daily rate.
• Can this program cover my existing Adult Day Care service?    It is possible.  However, information on existing supports are collected as part of the assessment and will be considered when prioritizing need of participants.  Generally, a care-recipient currently receiving services and support from various sources will have less over-all burden on a caregiver than one who is not receiving services and/or is the only source of support. 
• Does a doctor need to assess the care recipient?    If accepted and referred to a contracted provider, the participant will need to follow the specific requirements of the provider, which normally includes medical clearance from the participant's primary care physician and TB clearance to participate in the Adult Day Care program.
• Who are the contracted Adult Day Care providers?    Contracted providers include: Palolo Chinese Home Adult Day Care, Live Well in Iwilei, Windward Senior Day Care (Kailua), Salvation Army Adult Day Care & Day Health (Downtown/Liliha), Franciscan Care (Ewa & Manoa), Central Union Adult Day Care & Day Health (Makiki), Kilohana Senior Enrichment Center (Hawaii Kai), Hale Hauoli (Aiea/Newtown), and Seagull Schools Adult Day Care (Kapolei).  
• Why is only Adult Day Care being provided?    The administrative costs for contracting several providers of different services is not feasible for the limited amount of funding and the short period of time. Adult Day Care services provides the most benefit to a working caregiver who normally cares for an elder during the evenings and weekends.  The benefit limit of $70 per day would also cover all or most of the daily cost of this service.  The supervision, meals, activities, socialization, and exercise provided with the service is also beneficial to the care recipients who would otherwise be isolated at home with no stimulation or support and at risk of self-harm.
• What happens if the service costs more than $70 per day?  If the provider's daily rate is over the $70 per day benefit, the participant and caregiver will be responsible to pay the provider directly for the difference.    Other costs, such as application fees, incontinence care or toileting assistance, personal care/bathing, early drop-off/late-pick-up, extra meal, excursion fees, etcetera, will also be the responsibility of the participant and caregiver.  Based on anticipated usage, providers may require pre-payment of these fees.
• What about Adult Day Health services?  Adult Day Health, which offers a higher level of care than Adult Day Care, will also be made available through this pilot program. 

Elderly Affairs Division's Quick Links:

• Senior Information & Assistance Handbook
• Senior Housing Information for Oahu

Do you provide services to elders or persons with disabilities?  Would you like to be listed in our online database?

• Click Here, if you are interested in being added to our Database of Service Providers

ABOUT Our Services We help people find assistance for aging, disability and caregiving, such as with Nutrition, Housing, Transportation, and Financing. Learn more about our services. If you can't find what you are looking for on our website, call the Helpline at 808-768-7700. Visit About Us to learn more about the Elderly Affairs Division. Check out our Calendar of Events. Assess My Needs Use this tool to find out what you need.

About the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division The Elderly Affairs Division (EAD), a division of the Department of Community Services of the city and county of Honolulu, is your local Area Agency on Aging Its purpose is to plan, support and advocate for programs to promote the well-being of Oahu's older adults and caregivers and to address and respond to the priority needs of all seniors. Please read our Area Plan on Aging to learn more about EAD.

FIND Services and Products Search our directory to find services and products in the community. Publications and brochures , including the Senior Information & Assistance Handbook, Family Caregiver Guide, and Oahu Housing Guide.

APPLY for Government Assistance Determine eligibility and learn how to apply for assistance programs.

• Click here to read the ADRC Hawaii Database Policies and Procedures and how to apply.
• Click here to download an application form.