Did you know that life expectancy in Hawaii is the highest in the nation? Women, on average, are living to 82.6 and men are living to 76.6. Many of the residents of Hawaii who are aging, have led active lives and people who are moving to the island to retire here, are also coming in relative good health to enjoy their later years being active on the island.
In fact, recently, LUVA Real Estate has been receiving quite a few inquiries from would-be retiring residents asking questions about moving to the island, what kind of senior services are offered, how can they help our island community through volunteerism and if they bring their elderly parents, are there care facilities and care providers available for them.
Silver Tsunami
First, let’s take a look at the numbers from a benchmark study completed by Hawaii County in 2015. From 2010 to 2040, the elderly population of the State of Hawaii is expected to grow by 73%. The projected growth of the older population will present challenges to Federal policy makers and programs, but locally, challenges will include elderly housing, transportation, recreation, education, health and nutrition services, among others. The population over the age of 60 in Hawai’i County is expected to TRIPLE from 2000 to 2030 to almost 80,000 older adults. With the advent of a more active aging population, services will be needed to help residents in their late 70’s and early 80’s.
Currently, Hawaii County is the only Area Agency on Aging in the state to have a building dedicated to the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center (ADRC) concept of a One-Stop Shop/No Wrong Door for senior services. Some of the programs at the East Hawaii site include services for senior case management, adult protective services, Aloha Independent Living, coordinated services for the elderly, senior training and employment program and the Hawaii County nutrition program just to name a few. West Hawaii’s Office of Aging also has an ADRC component which is housed in West Hawaii’s Civic Center with other important senior services, i.e elderly activities and coordinated services for the elderly. The Office on Aging created a plan for how the County would assist local seniors that expired in October 2019 and should be updated this year.
Assisted Living Facilities And Apartments
The Regency at Hualalai is the most well regarded facility in West Hawaii. Located right near Kailua Village, residents enjoy many amenities and close proximity to the “downtown” core for the Village Stroll, music at the Hulihee Palace, parades, and activities they can attend with their families or with others who live at the Regency.
There are a few elderly apartments located in West Hawaii, with the Hualalai Elderly III apartments on Hualalai Road, situated close to the middle of Kailua Kona.
The Hawaii Community Caregiver Network just updated their resource services this month and will email you a pdf of all the resources available on Hawaii Island including recreation services, nutrition programs, veterans services, and a county permamedicine program for seniors and their parents AND services for caregivers, as well.
Finding Community
Finding others to connect with on this island is one of the most important aspects of living and thriving well in Hawaii. Volunteering, joining clubs and keeping active will make your years here more meaningful and fun. Here are a variety of senior clubs you may be interested in checking out.
Captain Cook Senior Club — 328-2097, Edythe Maeda, [email protected] Meets Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at Yano Hall in Captain Cook.
Honaunau Senior Club — 960-4871, Pam Hinch, [email protected] Meets Thursdays at 9 a.m. at the Painted Church.
Kohala Senior Club — 889-6502 (cell) or 889-0383 (home), Faye Yates, [email protected] Meets Mondays at 9 a.m. at Kohala Intergenerational Center.
Waikoloa Senior Club — 883-2424, Stephanie Stearns, [email protected] Meets 3rd Mondays at 9 a.m. at Waikoloa Village Association Community Room. See the Waikoloa Senior Center web page, for information about Senior Club meetings and events, and van transport to Kona and Waimea.
Hawaii Island Resources
Caring.com is a leading senior care resource for family caregivers seeking information and support as they care for aging parents, spouses and other loved ones. They offer a Senior Care and Assisted Living Guide (https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/hawaii) Caring.com offers links to connect with solutions to help pay for senior living https://www.caring.com/senior-living/assisted-living/how-to-pay/
Another way to finance a home in Hawaii is to speak to a local mortgage professional about reverse mortgage programs that allow you to use the equity in your home if you are aged 62 or older to help make a move to Hawaii sooner. LUVA Real Estate can provide a list of financial institutions that you can speak with.
Retiring to Hawaii takes time to do the research and develop a plan, but many homeowners on the mainland have been dreaming of making this move for years. If you are ready, please contact us today and we can provide homes on the market that fit your goals!