HONOLULU -- The state announced a new program on Monday that will allow many more Hawaii residents who need long-term care to get home-based care.

Many patients who suffer from lengthy illnesses languish in the hospital for months.

Thomas Laury, 77, said he does not like having to stay in the hospital. Now, he said his life is better. He lives with foster caregiver Noni Acorda and gets home care.

"We just love each other. For the one year that he has stayed with us, we have accepted him as our family. So now, we have an extended family," Acorda said.

It is part of a program called Going Home Plus. State officials announced on Monday that the federal government will give Hawaii more than $10 million over the next five years to provide home care or community-based long-term care.

"It saves the state taxpayers $70,000 per patient, each year," Department of Health and Human Services Director Lillian Koller said.

For patients like Laury said it is a wonderful thing.

"It's 100 percent better," Laury said.

The program has helped more than 700 Hawaii patients so far.