Long-Term Care: A Survey of New York AARP Members

Responding to the expected growth of the aging population in New York, and recommendations for improving Medicaid made by the Governor's Working Group on Healthcare in January 2004, AARP conducted this survey to explore its New York members' opinions about long-term care (LTC) issues.

The survey shows members' preference for receiving LTC services in the community and their opposition to Medicaid reforms that would inhibit access to home care services for many residents. Of the AARP members surveyed...

• the majority would prefer to receive LTC at home, with help from family, friends, and home care professionals

• nearly all consider it important to have a central place for obtaining information about LTC services and benefits, and to have access to objective information about the quality of LTC providers

• about one-quarter say they have LTC insurance, but those who do not have such insurance say cost is the primary barrier

• the majority strongly oppose three Medicaid reform proposals that would
  • extend the eligibility "look back" period from three to five years
  • make home care services subject to the same eligibility "look back" period as nursing home care
  • require married persons to spend all but $5,400 in savings before their spouses can be eligible for Medicaid home care services

Telephone surveying of 1,006 AARP members in New York was conducted from March 12 through March 21, 2004. The report was prepared by Katherine Bridges of AARP Knowledge Management who may be contacted at 202/434-6329 for further information. (18 pages)