Hawaii ADRC: How Aging and Disability Resource Centers Help Your Family

If you don't know where to start with your parent's care, an ADRC is literally designed to be the answer. Hawaii's Aging and Disability Resource Centers operate as a "No Wrong Door" system — no matter what your parent's situation is, calling an ADRC connects you to the right services without needing to know which agency handles what.

What ADRCs Actually Do

ADRCs provide free options counseling for seniors and their families. That means a trained specialist will assess your parent's situation and connect you to the services they qualify for — whether that's Kupuna Care, QUEST Integration (Medicaid), adult day care, home-delivered meals, respite care, transportation assistance, or help finding licensed residential facilities.

They don't just hand you a brochure. The counselor walks through eligibility requirements, helps you understand what forms to file, and can connect you to county-specific programs that don't show up on state websites.

ADRCs are especially valuable when you're navigating multiple needs at once — which is exactly what happens during a care crisis. Your parent might need both a clinical assessment for Medicaid eligibility and help finding a home care agency while you sort out legal authority. The ADRC counselor coordinates across these tracks.

How to Reach Your Island's ADRC

Statewide ADRC Helpline: (808) 643-2372 — this works from any island and routes to the appropriate county office.

Oahu (Honolulu County): Elderly Affairs Division, (808) 768-7700

Hawaii County (Big Island):

• Hilo / East Hawaii: (808) 961-8626
• Kona / West Hawaii: (808) 323-4390

Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai):

• Main Office: (808) 270-7774
• Molokai: (808) 553-5241
• Lanai: (808) 565-7114

Kauai County: Agency on Elderly Affairs, (808) 241-4470

What to Prepare Before You Call

Your first ADRC call goes much faster if you can answer these questions:

1. What is your parent's age and living situation? (alone, with spouse, with family, facility)
2. What daily activities do they struggle with? (bathing, dressing, cooking, medications, mobility)
3. Have they had a recent hospitalization or fall?
4. Do they have any cognitive issues? (memory loss, confusion, wandering)
5. What is their approximate monthly income and total assets? (for Medicaid screening)
6. Do they have Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance?
7. Do you have Power of Attorney or are you the legal guardian?

You don't need all of these to call — the ADRC will work with whatever information you have. But having them ready means the counselor can immediately screen for eligible programs rather than scheduling a follow-up.

What ADRCs Can't Do

ADRCs are information and referral specialists, not case managers. They'll point you to the right programs and help you apply, but they don't provide ongoing care coordination. For that, you'll need either a managed care plan service coordinator (through QUEST Integration) or a private geriatric care manager.

They also don't make placement decisions for you. If you're comparing specific facilities, the ADRC can tell you how to check licensing status and connect you with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, but the evaluation and decision is yours.

Why It Matters for Care Decisions

The ADRC is the fastest way to understand which programs your parent qualifies for — before you commit to private-pay options that may not be necessary. Many families spend months paying out of pocket for home care while eligible for Kupuna Care or QUEST Integration services they didn't know about.

The Hawaii Care Decision Guide complements the ADRC process by organizing the full landscape — comparing care settings, walking through Med-QUEST financial eligibility, and providing the vetting checklists you'll need once the ADRC connects you to specific providers.

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