Staying Fit
Forty-seven percent of voters age 50-plus in Illinois have experience as family caregivers, either by currently caring for an adult loved one (15%) or previously doing so (32%). Most of these caregivers also worked while providing care (64%).
The majority of voters (52%) do not believe that the Illinois state government offers enough support for unpaid family caregivers. Consequently, the majority of voters support paid leave for caregivers (82%), increased funding for respite care (79%), the establishment of an income tax credit for caregivers (88%), and more resources to the Care Coordination Services program (81%).
While nearly all voters believe it is extremely or very important that nursing home residents receive quality care (98%), at least eight in ten are extremely or very concerned about inadequate staffing in nursing homes (91%), as well as the cost of nursing home care (86%), and not being about to have visitors (83%) or being isolated and alone in nursing homes (79%).
The majority of voters support nursing home reform, including eliminating ward-like rooms (74%), accountability of nursing home facilities for abuse and neglect (96%), increasing the frequency of safety inspections (89%) and those that inspect them (84%).
The majority of voters also support increasing funding to direct care workers (82%) in nursing homes and requiring that the majority of taxpayer funding goes toward staffing and safety protocols (90%).
Methodology
AARP Illinois commissioned a telephone survey among 1,104 registered voters age 50-plus in Illinois to learn their views on long-term care and related proposals being considered by the Illinois State Legislature. A total of 1,104 registered voters were interviewed from September 29, 2021 to October 20, 2021. The data collection was performed by ADRG. The data is weighted by age, gender, AARP membership status, race, and ethnicity. Percentages reported are rounded.
For more information, please contact Terri Guengerich at tguengerich@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.