2005 Missouri Member Survey on Long-Term Care, Assisted Living, and Medicaid

This survey explores the attitudes and opinions of AARP members in Missouri about what they feel should be the Association's state legislative priorities, long-term care and assisted living facilities, and Medicaid.

Of the 1,002 members surveyed by mail...

• More than three-quarters are worried about being able to afford long-term care services for themselves or their families.
  
  
• One in seven say they are not very or not at all confident they would be able to find out about long-term care services in their community, while four in ten say they are somewhat confident.
  
  
• More than half can distinguish between assisted living facilities and nursing homes, but there is less certainty about the difference between assisted living facilities and residential care facilities.
  
  
• Three in four oppose more cuts to Medicaid as a way to balance Missouri's budget.
  
  
• More than half say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports shifting funds from nursing homes to long-term care services that help people stay in their own homes and communities.

Given their strong desire to stay independent as they age, members feel that AARP Missouri should work towards ensuring that the state develops quality regulations for all types of long-term care facilities and does not incorporate changes to Medicaid that could negatively impact its older residents.

The survey was conducted during September and October 2005 among a random sample of Missouri AARP members, proportionally stratified by three age segments, 50 to 59, 60 to 74, and 75+, selected from AARP's membership database. Further information about the survey may be obtained by contacting Joanne Binette of AARP Knowledge Management at 202-434-6303. (33 pages)