Respite Care in Lawai, HI: Breaks for Family Caregivers

Local figures

Respite Care in Lawai, HI: the local picture

545

residents 65 or older (20% of Lawai)

79%

of residents 65+ in households live with someone, often a family caregiver

43%

of residents 65+ report a disability (27% in Kauai County)

1

Medicare-certified hospices serve Lawai ZIP codes

Most older adults in Lawai live with someone: 79% of residents 65 and older in households do. When one of them needs care, the person they live with usually provides most of it, and respite is what keeps that sustainable.

About 236 Lawai residents aged 65 or older report a disability (43%) (27% in Kauai County). Many of them rely on a spouse or adult child day to day.

Medicare lists 1 hospice serving Lawai ZIP codes. For someone on hospice, Medicare also covers short inpatient respite stays so the family caregiver can rest.

Lawai compared with Kauai County and Hawaii

Census figure	Lawai	Kauai County	Hawaii
Residents 65+ with a disability	43%	27%	32%
Residents 65+ in households who live alone	21%	19%	20%
Residents 65 or older	20%	22%	20%
Residents 85 or older	1.5%	2.4%	2.8%
Residents 65+ below the poverty line (approx.)	10%	8.6%	9.2%
Households with no vehicle	1.0%	4.0%	8.2%
Median income, households headed by someone 65+	$83,359	$74,413	—

Older residents in towns around Lawai

Town	Distance	Residents 65+	65+ with a disability
Kalaheo, HI	1.1 mi	1,144	17%
Koloa, HI	2.8 mi	458	41%
Eleele, HI	5.3 mi	362	36%
Hanapepe, HI	5.6 mi	428	41%
Puhi, HI	7.6 mi	629	17%
Lihue, HI	10.0 mi	2,374	28%

Hospices serving Lawai

Hospice	Office	Distance	Phone
Kauai Hospice	Lihue, HI	9.5 mi	(808) 245-7277

Nursing homes near Lawai (ask about short stays)

Nursing home	Town	Distance	CMS overall rating	Certified beds	Phone
Hale Kupuna Heritage Home, LLC	Koloa, HI	0.8 mi	4 of 5	84	(808) 742-7591
Garden Isle Healthcare And Rehabilitation Center	Lihue, HI	9.3 mi	5 of 5	110	(808) 245-1802
Kauai Care Center	Waimea, HI	11 mi	3 of 5	53	(808) 338-1681
Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital	Waimea, HI	11 mi	5 of 5	20	(808) 338-9431

Straight-line miles from the center of Lawai. Medicare (CMS) data, October 2026; call ahead to confirm. We are not affiliated with these providers.

What it covers

What a respite caregiver can help with

Taking over the usual routine while you are away
Meals, medication reminders and personal care
Company and activities
Overnight cover for a weekend or a trip

Cost

What respite care costs in Lawai

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 23% of the $6,947 monthly median income of Lawai households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Hiring directly, you agree the rate with the caregiver and usually become the household employer (U.S. Department of Labor rules). Some families qualify for programs that pay for care at home; see Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states.

Before you hire

What to know before hiring a respite caregiver

Family caregivers carry most long-term care in the U.S., and burnout is a common reason a home arrangement breaks down. The federal National Family Caregiver Support Program funds respite through local Area Agencies on Aging, and the ARCH National Respite Locator lists respite programs by state.

Questions worth asking: Can you do a short paid visit first, while I am home? Are you available at short notice if I am ill? Can you stay overnight, and what do you charge for it? More in our respite care guide.

CaregiverConnect does not run background checks. Check identity, references and any certification yourself before anyone starts. The Safety Center explains how.

Questions

Respite Care in Lawai: common questions

Which hospices serve Lawai?

Medicare lists 1 hospice for Lawai ZIP codes, including Kauai Hospice.

How much does respite care cost in Lawai?

At the Hawaii median aide wage of $18.32 an hour, 20 hours of help a week comes to about $1,588 a month in wages, which is 23% of the $6,947 monthly median income of Lawai households headed by someone 65 or older. Private rates are agreed directly with the caregiver, so yours may be higher or lower. Hawaii's minimum wage is $16.00 an hour (U.S. Department of Labor table, updated July 1, 2026).

Does Medicaid or Medicare pay for respite care?

Medicare pays for short inpatient respite stays only for people on its hospice benefit (Medicare.gov); the hospices on this page serve Lawai. Many state Medicaid home and community-based programs, veterans’ programs and the National Family Caregiver Support Program fund respite. Our guide Medicaid programs for family caregivers: who can be paid, and the rules in 12 states covers Hawaii.

More near Lawai

More senior care near Lawai

Respite Care in nearby cities

Other care in Lawai

More for Lawai families

Sources

Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year; CMS provider data (October 25, 2026); U.S. DOL state minimum wages (July 1, 2026); BLS OEWS May 2025 aide wages, which cover employed aides rather than private rates.

Respite Care in Lawai, HI