Missouri Grandparenting Issues: A Survey of AARP Members

More than three-fourths of Missouri AARP members are grandparents; 36 percent have grandchildren or kin's children living in their household, and 62 percent of these members are the primary caregivers for the children. These primary caregivers have had to make financial changes to help cover the expenses of caregiving.

• 14 percent have returned to work part-time or full-time to help cover caregiving expenses
• 29 percent have had to use their retirement savings to cover expenses for their grandchildren or kin's children

Missouri members believe that it is very important to have access to affordable child care services and temporary caregiving relief that would afford grandparent caregivers the opportunity to do household chores or go to work. Of those surveyed...

• 74 percent favor proposed laws to allow grandparent caregivers without legal custody to enroll children in school
• 79 percent support proposals that would assure grandparent caregivers access to medical records and the right to make medical decisions about the child

The surveyed members also believe that AARP should play an important role in providing information on resources and services for people raising grandchildren and kin's children.

This mail survey of 972 AARP members in Missouri was conducted during October 2006. Further information about the study may be obtained by contacting Joanne Binette at 202-434-6303. (22 pages)