The findings of a recent Columbia University study—that Hawai‘i is a high-risk state for a family caregiver shortage—should come as no surprise to the estimated 154,000 family caregivers who reside here.
AARP estimates that Hawai‘i’s family caregivers put in 144 million hours of unpaid care a year to loved ones in Hawai‘i. If they were paid, the value of what they do for others would be $2.6 billion.
Without family caregivers, our long-term care system in Hawai‘i would collapse; we wouldn’t be able to take care of our kūpuna.
The study looked at demographics. Hawai‘i’s older population is increasing faster than other states. As more of our population ages, there will be fewer younger residents who can take care of kūpuna who need care.
The study also looked at the need for workers who can provide paid services in-home and the availability of nursing home or adult residential care home services.
Family caregivers, especially those who live in rural areas, know those services are in short supply. There are not enough workers now and the need will grow unless we can increase the paid caregiving workforce.
The cost of living and the cost of caregiving are other factors. Caregiving isn’t cheap. Family caregivers spend about $7,200 of their own money on average—about 26% of their income—on out-of-pocket caregiving expenses. Add in Hawai‘i’s high cost of living and that some caregivers may retire early or quit work to care for loved ones, the financial sacrifices family caregivers make can be overwhelming.
The Hawai‘i Legislature has taken some steps to increase Medicaid payments for companies providing paid caregiving services. But other policies that can help, like paid family leave and a tax credit for family caregivers, were not passed.
If you’re a family caregiver, know that you are not alone.
Help is available and AARP is advocating for you. If we all make our voices heard, there are too many of us for lawmakers to continue to ignore. Hawai‘i must do better for family caregivers and avert the crisis that is clearly ahead of us.
Join us in fighting for caregivers through the state legislature by contacting Advocacy Director Audrey Suga-Nakagawa at hiaaarp@aarp.org.
AARP HAWAI‘I (nonprofit)
1001 Bishop St., Ste. 625, Honolulu, HI 96813
866-295-7282 | hiaarp@aarp.org | aarp.org/hi
facebook.com/aarphawaii
Resources for Family Caregivers:
Aarp.org/caregiving
AARP Caregiver Support Group on Facebook:
facebook.com/groups/aarpfamilycaregivers/
Aging and Disability Resource Center:
Hawaiiadrc.org | 808-643-2372
Aloha United Way 211:
auw211.org | 2-1-1
Join us in advocating for caregivers at the Legislature:
Contact Advocacy Director Audrey Suga-Nakagawa at hiaaarp@aarp.org
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