2008 North Dakota Member Survey

Health care, tax issues, and in-home care are the top state legislative priorities for AARP North Dakota members, according to this mail survey conducted in October-November 2008. Long-term care, in-home care options, and care costs are also issues of concern for AARP members in the state.

Key findings include the following:

• Almost nine in ten members say affordable, accessible health care is a top or high priority; more than seven in ten identify tax issues, including income, property, and sales taxes as a priority; while another seven in ten say affordable accessible in-home care services are their priority.
• Sixty-five percent of AARP North Dakota members say it is important to have one place that provides information on long-term and in-home care options in every community. Thirty-nine percent of members are not familiar with long-term and in-home care options in their communities. Only five percent of members are extremely familiar with options in their communities.
• Forty-eight percent of members believe long-term care (e.g. in-home support, nursing home care, assisted living, or adult foster care) costs should be shared between the individual receiving care and the government.
• More than four in ten members say they are aware of individuals in their communities who are not receiving in-home care services, but could remain healthier and home longer, if they did receive in-home care.
• Forty-three percent of AARP North Dakota members say there are several or a few individuals in their communities who are not currently receiving in-home care services, but could remain healthier and home longer, if they received in-home care.
• Seven in ten members say that information on keeping the person they care for safe at home would be beneficial.

 

AARP North Dakota commissioned this mail survey of 2,000 members in the state during October and November, 2008. A total of 1,042 responses were received, for a response rate of 52 percent. Data were weighted to represent the actual distribution by age among AARP North Dakota members. Further information about the survey may be obtained by contacting Susan L. Silberman, PhD, of AARP Knowledge Management at 202-434-6339. (20 pages)