Kupuna Care is funded by the State of Hawaii to provide services such as transportation, attendant care, case management, home-delivered meals, homemaker, and personal care services. To qualify, someone must not be able to do one or more activities of daily living (ADLs) or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Clients are asked for a voluntary contribution. Call (808) 768-7700 for more information.

The State Identification Office at 465 South King Street, Room 102, phone (808) 587-3111, issues picture identification cards. For more information go to: Hawaii.gov ID Cards.

The Elderly Affairs Division contracts with Catholic Charities Hawaii, (808) 595-0077, and the Honolulu Gerontology Program, (808) 543-8405, to provide names of "respite caregivers."

Also see our Family Caregiving Guide for more information and resources.

Abuse may be physical, psychological, financial, or sexual. The State of Hawaii Adult Protective Service (APS) office on Oahu, (808) 832-5115, has the authority to help and intervene in cases of abuse, whether suspected or actual. Any person making the report may remain anonymous. Any person who is neglected by others or exhibits signs of self-neglect should also be reported to APS.

The pass is called a Disabled Persons Parking Permit. Applications are available at any satellite city hall or the Customer Services Department, Honolulu Municipal Building 650 S. King Street, 1st floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. A doctor must confirm your disability. You may also download the form from Disability and Communication Access Board.

TheHandi-Van is a public transit service for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the City's bus service, TheBus. Effective October 14, 2009, individuals applying for TheHandi-Van paratransit service will no longer be required to submit long, paper applications. Instead, you must schedule an in-person interview with a Mobility Coordinator at TheHandi-Van Eligibility Center. Call 808-538-0033 for an appointment. The Center is located in the First Insurance Center at 1100 Ward Avenue, Suite 835, in Honolulu. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
What Information Do I Need at my In-Person Interview?
In-Person Interview Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The best place for current information on rental housing options for seniors is the Housing Assistance Program, Catholic Charities Hawaii (808) 595-0077.

A list of housing projects on Oahu that serve the elderly is also available in the Find Services section of this website.

Any satellite city hall office has applications. You may also call (808) 848-4444 or go to The Bus online for more information.

Senior Centers are located at the Kaneohe Community Center (233-7317), Kapahulu Senior Center (737-1748), Lanakila Multipurpose Senior Center (847-1322), Makua Alii Senior Center (973-7258), Moiliili Community Center (955-1555), and Waikiki Community Center (923-1802). The Department of Parks and Recreation, City and County of Honolulu, coordinates several senior clubs located around Oahu. Call (808) 973-7258 for the location of one nearest you or go online to City and County of Honolulu Parks.

Meals are served in many group dining locations by Lanakila Meals on Wheels. Call (808) 531-0555 for information and applications. Meals delivered to homebound persons can also be arranged at Lanakila Meals on Wheels and Hawaii Meals on Wheels (808) 988-6747.

Call or visit onlin the Rehabilitation Loan Section, City and County of Honolulu (808) 768-7076 for information and an application. They grant low interest loans to qualifying persons for home repairs and modifications to accommodate disabled persons (ramps, bathroom and doorway modifications, etc.).

The AARP Tax-Aide program offers several sites on Oahu where qualified volunteers assist with the preparation of federal and state tax returns at no charge. Call our helpline at (808) 768-7700 for a convenient site or go to AARP taxaide.

Residential care options vary greatly in cost. Refer to the Residential Options for Hawaii’s Seniors guidebook for an overview about different options in Hawaii. Care home placement should also be discussed with your relative's physician.

Information about placement can also be learned from the Adult Intake Unit of the Department of Human Services (808) 832-5115.

The Department of Health Office of Healthcare Assurance is responsible for licensing assisted living facilites, adult residential care homes (ARCH) and expanded ARCHs. Call (808) 692-7400 to learn about these facilities and their locations or visit the OHCA website.

You may also call our Helpline (808) 768-7700 for more assistance.

The answer depends on his physical and mental condition. Please call our telephone helpline (808) 768-7700 to describe your situation and ask for assistance. Most senior centers require participants to be independent. For those who need assistance and/or supervision, an adult day care center may be more appropriate.

Services for parents or any elder persons living in another state can be arranged through the area agency on aging (AAA) in their area. Their specific AAA can be ascertained via the Eldercare Locator through their toll-free number (1-800-677-1116). Eldercare Locator is a service of the Administration on Aging of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is important to keep in mind that the elder may not be as willing to accept services as you would like them to be. Discussing how these services will keep them independent may be a good way to introduce the subject.

To see if you are eligible for welfare, food stamps (now called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and Medicaid, please call the Public Assistance Information line at 643-1643 or visit these websites for more information:
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Med-Quest Division Contact Information

Original Medicare does not cover dental services. Some Medicare Advantage plans may provide some dental coverage, however this is usually very limited. Medicaid does not normally cover dental services either, except under certain circumstances.

Medicare is a Federal health insurance plan available to seniors 65 years and older and certain persons with disabilities. It does not pay for all medical costs. Beneficiaries are generally responsible for deductibles, copays, premiums and non-covered services. Medicare has the following parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance); Part B (Medical Insurance); Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans like an HMO or PPO); Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage).

Medicaid is a State-administered health insurance program for persons with certain disabilities/medical conditions and persons 65 years and older who have very low incomes and limited assets. It is funded by both the federal and state governments.

Hawaii's Medicaid program for individuals who are age 65 and over, or certified blind or disabled is called QUEST Expanded Access (QExA). QExA is a managed care program created by the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS). This means Medicaid healthcare services are provided to clients through their health plan, not Medicaid fee-for-service. For all other individuals, coverage is provided under a managed care program called Hawaii QUEST, commonly known as QUEST.

Medicare generally provides medical coverage only. This includes visits to a doctor and stays in the hospital. Medicare will only cover short-term, in-home care following hospitalization, and when ordered by a doctor. Medicare does not cover custodial services, which are non-medical care services such as housekeeping, meal preparation and ongoing assistance with personal care.

Medicare does not cover care homes. Medicare will cover a limited number of days for stays in a skilled nursing facility, normally following hospitalization. It does not cover long term stays in a skilled nursing facility. If client requires ongoing skilled nursing care and cannot afford to pay, client should apply for Medicaid long term care coverage.

Medicare Savings Programs are a group of programs that help Medicare beneficiaries pay some of their out-of-pocket Medicare costs, such as premiums (Medicare Part A and/or Part B) and co-insurance amounts.

There are three Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that a Medicare-eligible person may qualify for depending on their financial resources:

1. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB);
2. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB); and
3. Qualified Individual (QI).

Who qualifies? Medicare-eligible individuals who meet certain income and asset requirements set by law. These requirements change every year, so call Hawaii's Sage PLUS program at 808-586-7299 or the Honolulu Elderly Affairs Division at 808-768-7700 for more assistance.