Assisted Living
AARP Connecticut Assisted Living Survey
Research Report
Katherine Bridges, M.G.S., AARP Knowledge Management
February 2002
AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: For older persons and adults with disabilities who need some assistance to live independently, or who no longer want to remain at home, assisted living provides an option for meeting their personal and supportive care needs, but it can be expensive. In Connecticut, where costs can run as high as $5,750 per month, residents pay nearly all of the cost since Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance do not generally cover assisted living care. This telephone survey of 803 randomly selected AARP members in Connecticut found that:
- If they were in an assisted living facility in Connecticut and their need for care changed, most would want to stay in the same facility and get all the care they need instead of moving to a nursing home.
- The majority does not have high confidence in their ability to afford assisted living and would support the state legislature making assisted living more affordable for low- and middle-income people, even if it means an increase in taxes.
- There is significant support among members for state oversight and regulation of the industry to ensure quality.