Oklahoma Long-term Care: A Survey of AARP Members
By: Anita Stowell-Ritter, AARP Knowledge Management; Joanne Binette, M.P.A., AARP Knowledge Management | January 15, 2005
AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH: Long-term care (LTC) is a salient issue with AARP members in Oklahoma who consider being able to stay in their own homes as they age important. Of those responding to this mail survey of attitudes and opinions about LTC, only 3 percent would choose to go to nursing homes. Almost nine in ten consider it important for the state to increase funding to adult day care centers that provide health and supportive services to allow people to remain in their own homes as they age.
The majority of respondents are worried about being able to afford LTC for themselves or family members, and having sufficient types of LTC services available. Those with past experience with LTC are much more concerned about affordability and choice of services.
Amidst concern about the lack of federal government regulation of assisted living facilities, over eight in ten support state legislation to expand government oversight of these facilities to ensure consumer protection and quality.
Nearly all of those surveyed support the state requiring...
- nursing homes to perform criminal background checks on all nursing home staff to ensure the safety of their residents
- sex offenders and other violent offenders to be cared for in separate nursing homes or secured units to protect other nursing home residents
The strength of members' opinions about expanding both choices and protections in a variety of LTC settings is reflected in their being more likely to vote for candidates who support these provisions.
This mail survey of 1,146 AARP members in Oklahoma was conducted from October 22 through November 19, 2004. The report is part of a larger mail survey and was prepared by Joanne Binette and Anita Stowell-Ritter, both of AARP Knowledge Management. Further information may be obtained from Joanne Binette at 202-434-6303. (24 pages)
