AARP North Dakota Member Survey IDs Issues
Source: AARP.org
North Dakota legislators failed to address one of the top issues identified by AARP’s 88,000 members in North Dakota in a new survey. Two-thirds of AARP members responding to the survey said it is important to them to have one place that provides information on long-term and in-home care options.
Gov. Hoeven recommended establishing an Aging and Disabilities Resource pilot project in his budget to the legislature. The House of Representatives killed the proposal contained in House Bill 1476.
“Establishment of such a service has been discussed and debated for more than 20 years,” said Janis Cheney, AARP’s state director in North Dakota. “An Aging and Disabilities Resource project is something an overwhelming number of our members tell us they want. It would minimize confusion, enhance individual choice, and support informed decision-making when individuals and families find they need long-term care services.”
North Dakota’s population is aging rapidly. Per capita, the state has the greatest percentage of people age 85 and older of any state. By 2020, 22 counties will have more than 40 percent of their population aged 60 and older. Statewide, 27 percent of the state’s residents will be 60 and older.
“The vast majority of people want to remain in their own homes and in their communities as they age,” Cheney said. “We hope North Dakota policymakers will embrace a philosophy of delivering services in a way that allows older people the greatest independence and greatest quality of life. Somehow, we must ensure that those needing long-term care services receive comprehensive, consistent information on all of the choices that are available, including services to allow them to remain in their own home.”
Other findings from the AARP North Dakota member survey include:
• Eight in 10 members said affording health care and assuring pensions/retirement security were their top personal concerns.
• Affording the cost of prescription drugs was named by 76 percent.
• Being able to stay in their own homes and affording long-term care costs was named by 75 percent.
• Other top concerns included having money for daily living expenses, adequate transportation options when no longer able to drive, staying physically active, avoiding consumer fraud, and affording utility services.
The survey reveals interesting data about AARP members in North Dakota. Three of every four members say they always vote. Nearly half of our members work.
The survey was mailed to 2,000 AARP members in North Dakota. Of those, 1,042 (52 percent) responded, for a margin of error of three percent.
You can read all of the survey results here: http://www.aarp.org/research/longtermcare/programfunding/nd_member_08.html.
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