Non‑Discrimination Policy
Kupuna Caregivers Program Helps Pay for Support Services
Posted January 10, 2018
Recently the State of Hawaii launched the landmark Kupuna Caregivers Program to help working caregivers pay for support services, like Adult Day Health by Hale Makua and respite care in our nursing homes or Adult Residential Care Home, for older adults.
Working caregivers who pay for services to support their kupuna may be eligible for financial help of up to $70 per day to cover the cost of adult day care, chore services, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, personal care, respite, or transportation. The Hawaii Executive Office on Aging (EOA) is launching the state’s Kupuna Caregivers Program which was signed into law earlier this year by Gov. David Ige to help Hawaii's working caregivers.
“The landmark initiative is a first step in recognizing the significant contributions and sacrifices of Hawaii's working caregiversas they celebrate and honor their kupuna,” said Gov. David Ige. “Support for our caregivers is critically needed as Hawaii’s population is aging more rapidly than the national average and our seniors live longer than seniors in any other state."
Qualified caregivers who apply for the program may receive up to $70 per day in services (subject to the availability of funds and paid directly to contracted service providers, not the caregiver). To be eligible, the following criteria must be met:
- The caregiver must be employed at least 30 hours a week by one or more employers.
- The caregiver must provide direct care to a care recipient who is a US citizen or a qualified alien, 60 years of age or older, and not covered by any comparable government or private home and community-based care service.
- The care recipient cannot reside in a long-term care facility and must have impairments of at least two activities of daily living or two instrumental activities of daily living or one activity of daily living and one instrumental activity of daily living or substantive cognitive impairment requiring substantial.
“We are hopeful that this program will provide working caregivers with the opportunity to continue working and with peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are safe and are receiving services and supports that maximize their independence and quality of life," said Terri Byers, director of the Hawaii Executive Office on Aging. "EOA is looking forward to analyzing the data we collect during this first six-month pilot period to evaluate demand for services, provider capacity, and how effective the program is in helping caregivers retain employment and ease financial burden."
Interested caregivers should contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) as soon as possible to apply for the program. Program funding is limited to a total of $600,000 available until June 30, 2018 unless a subsequent appropriation is made by the Hawaii State Legislature. Applying for the program includes employment verification, assessment of the care recipient, and a caregiver burden assessment. For further information or to apply, call the ADRC statewide phone number (808) 270-7774, ADRC TTY line (808) 643-0899, or go to https://www.mauicountyadrc.org.