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Minnesota Long-Term Care Survey: An AARP Survey of Minnesotans

Minnesota faces unique challenges in long-term care. Not only does it have the second longest life expectancy in the United States (surpassed only by Hawaii), but the state also has one of the nation's highest proportions of persons age 85 and over. Both of these facts signal a current and future high need for long-term care.

Of the 818 age 35+ Minnesotans surveyed...

  • 95 percent consider remaining in their own homes as long as possible important if they were to need long-term care (LTC) services
  • 90 percent support strengthening enforcement of nursing home health and safety standards
  • 90 percent support maintaining the right of LTC facility residents or their families to take these facilities to court for mistreating, abusing, neglecting or injuring residents
  • 89 percent support legislation to establish a bill of rights for assisted living facility residents to ensure consumer protection and quality of care
  • 82 percent feel that working to improve the quality of care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities should be a top or high priority for AARP
  • 70 percent support increasing the state's cigarette tax from 48 cents a pack to $1.48 a pack to generate funding for health and LTC services

The random telephone survey of 818 age 35+ Minnesota residents was conducted by Woelfel Research between November 20 and December 1, 2002. The report was prepared by Joanne Binette of AARP Knowledge Management who may be contacted at 202/434-6303 for further information. (17 pages)