Bruce Bottorff

In a state with a high cost of living – where one in five residents will be 65 or older by 2032 – island residents are worried about paying for long-term care. In Hawaii, costs range from $17,500 for one year of adult day care to about $126,000 for private nursing home care - more than twice the median household income.

Nobody wants to be home alone for the holidays. As a volunteer driver for Lanakila Meals on Wheels, a few hours of time over the holiday season can make a big difference in the lives of Oahu’s homebound seniors.

Hawaii has the highest percentage of residents age 85+ in the nation – a segment of our population that is projected to grow by nearly 60 percent over the next 20 years. As the demand for long-term care and caregiver services skyrockets, advocates worry that the emotional, health and financial pressures on Hawaii’s family caregivers will reach a breaking point.

After six years of service on the AARP national board of directors, Kailua resident Maeona (Mae) Mendelson is back home in Hawaii and as committed as ever to volunteer activities related to aging and intergenerational issues.

AARP Hawaii is seeking volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of Hawaii’s boomer and retired population by advocating on public policy issues. Volunteers will work with AARP staff, community groups and state legislators to create and monitor legislation on long-term care, caregiving, health care, and taxes and share AARP’s views on these and other issues important to older Hawaii residents.