Aging in Place in Hawaiʻi: Hidden Costs No One Talks About (2025)

Aging in place in Hawaiʻi is the goal for most kupuna — staying in the home they love, close to ʻohana, church, neighbors, and community. But what many families don’t realize is just how expensive aging in place has become in Hawaiʻi, especially as the cost of living and caregiving continues to rise faster than almost anywhere else in the U.S.

This guide reveals the real, often hidden costs Hawaiʻi seniors face in 2025, why so many families feel financially overwhelmed, and the practical ways kupuna are finding to stay safely in their homes — including using home equity to support long-term care.

Here’s what families are actually paying in 2025:

1. Home Care Services (Hawaiʻi Average):

• $35–$40 per hour for basic in-home care
• $48–$60 per hour for skilled nursing care
• 8 hours/day = $8,000–$10,000 per month
• 24/7 care = $18,000–$22,000 per month

This is one of the biggest shocks for families.

2. Home Modifications & Repairs

Many older Hawaiʻi homes need upgrades to stay safe:

• Walk-in showers: $10,000+
• Wheelchair ramps: $3,000–$8,000
• Electrical or plumbing repairs: $1,500–$5,000
• Roof repair/replacement: $10,000–$30,000
• Termite damage remediation: Highly variable but common in older homes

For kupuna living alone, safety upgrades are essential — but often unaffordable.

• Fixed-income seniors facing Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living
• Children living off-island are unable to provide on-site care
• Homes requiring repairs after 30–50 years
• Increased medical and caregiving expenses
• Shrinking retirement savings

It’s not uncommon for families to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure how to afford aging in place.

A growing number of Hawaiʻi seniors now rely on reverse mortgages to stay in their homes.

Because they:

• Eliminate monthly mortgage payments
• Free up retirement income
• Provide tax-free funds
• Offer a line of credit that grows over time
• Help pay for caregiving or home modifications
• Work for many Hawaiʻi condos and some leaseholds
• Allow kupuna to remain in their home comfortably

With Hawaiʻi’s high property values, kupuna often have substantial equity — even if their income is limited.

This makes reverse mortgages a powerful tool for safely aging in place.

If you want a personalized number, use the quick estimate below:

Get My 60-Second Hawaiʻi Reverse Mortgage Estimate

Some kupuna stay in unsafe homes because they cannot afford repairs.

This includes:

• Bathroom falls
• Loose flooring
• Poor lighting
• Old electrical systems
• Rot or termite issues

Falls are the #1 cause of senior injuries in Hawaiʻi — and much of it is preventable.

A reverse mortgage is worth considering if:

• You want to stay in your home
• You’re struggling with monthly expenses
• Your home needs repairs or upgrades
• You want to protect your savings
• You need caregiving support
• You want peace of mind for the long term