2011 Voices of 50+ Montana: Dreams & Challenges
Executive Summary AARP has a strong commitment to help improve the lives of the 50+ population. As part of the Association s continuous communication with its members and all 50+ Americans, AARP commissioned an innovative set of surveys designed to better gather information on the needs, interests and concerns of 50+ Americans both at the national and state level. These random digit dial telephone surveys of over 29,000 adults age 50+ across the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were fielded between January 2 nd and January 31 st. These telephone interviews also included additional list-assisted samples of African-American and Hispanic 50+ adults. The data presented here is based on a regional sample of 407 50+ adults in Montana and has a sampling error of 5%. 2
Executive Summary The survey finds that: About half of adults 50+ in Montana say that health care issues are the top problem facing mid-life and older adults in their state. These concerns include personal health status and also the issues of quality and affordability. Over a third cite economic issues as the biggest concern of older adults in their state. At a more personal level, adults 50+ say vacation, travel, hobbies and spending time with family are what they would like to do next in their lives. Health issues are very important in the lives of adults 50+. More than nine in ten say staying healthy and staying mentally sharp are extremely or very important to them. There is a measurable gap between what Montana adults 50+ say is important to them and the extent to which they have what they need regarding these needs: only about one-third have everything they need to meet top health and financial needs. Specific financial worries include identity theft and being victimized by deceptive financial practices. Many report that they are vigilant against fraud by shredding credit card receipts and reviewing their credit card statements. 3
Executive Summary Staying in their own homes as they age is important to adults 50+. Nearly all say it is important to have long-term care services available that allow people to remain in their own homes as they get older. Over half express a personal preference for long-term care services in their own homes. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed think it is extremely or very important to have home- and community-based long-term care services available in one s community. Almost six in ten think it would be hard to find affordable long-term care in their community. Three-fourths of Montanans surveyed currently take a prescription drug, or have take one in the past year. Of these, many have asked for free samples or cut pills in half because of the cost of the prescription. 4
Dreams for the 50+ Top Dreams (n=407) Adults 50+ say they want to spend time traveling (42%) and pursuing their hobbies and 42% interests (24%). Vacation and travel Hobbies and interests Kids, grandkids, family and friends Doing something new 8% 5% 24% Some want to move or build/ remodel homes. Adults 50+ want to see their children or grandchildren and be a part of their lives. They also want to spend time with friends. Good health Career, job and work 4% 4% 0% 20% 40% 60% Other wishes mentioned by fewer than four percent focus spending time on relationships, earning money and faith/spirituality. Source: Core Q1. Thinking about what s next in your life, I would like you to think about the kinds of things you dream about doing these could be things you have always wanted to do, but never got around to, or things you have done in the past and want to continue doing. What would you consider to be the one thing that you would most like to do? (Open ended/unaided response) 5
Top Challenge Facing the 50+ Top Challenge (n=407) Health care issues include the cost of health care and staying healthy. Health care issues Economic issues Other social issues 20% 31% 44% Economic issues include unemployment and having enough money to retire. Other social issues vary widely. They include topics like how to spend time, transportation/getting around, senior issues, family values, politics and government. Source: Core Q2. What do you believe is the SINGLE most important problem or challenge facing mid life and older Americans as they get older? (Open ended/unaided response) 6
Issues of Importance to the 50+ Today Issues of Importance and Extent to Which Needs Are Met for the 50+ Today (n=407) Staying healthy Staying mentally sharp Spending time w/family&friends Adequate health insurance coverage Receiving Medicare when needed Receiving Social Security when needed Protecting against consumer fraud Finding the best deals and discounts 34% 34% 35% 33% 27% 24% 22% 23% 54% 76% 96% 92% 87% 86% 85% 85% Extremely/Very Important Everything They Need Source: Core 3a-q. How important is each of the following in your life right now? Core 4a-h: Do you think you currently have everything you need in regards to [specific items of extreme/very importance]? See attached annotated survey for a list of items. Base for Everything They Need is those who said issue was extremely/very important. 7
50+ Financial Concerns Worry about Financial Issues (n=407) Protecting yourself against identity theft 30% 40% Protecting yourself against unfair or deceptive financial practices 27% 32% Online safety and security 26% 35% Finding the best deals and discounts 12% 34% Extremely/Very Worried Somewhat Worried Source: CONSUM1. I m going to read to you a list of consumer issues that people sometimes worry about. Please tell me how worried you are about each of the following. How worried are you about [INSERT, READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A THROUGH D BELOW]? Are you extremely worried, very worried, somewhat worried, not very worried, or not at all worried? 8
50+ Financial Concerns Consumer Protection Activities (n=407) Shredded or destroyed credit card receipts, credit applications, and other financial statements Regularly reviewed your credit card and other financial statements 78% 78% 22% 20% Limited the number of identification cards you carry 64% 36% Ordered and reviewed a copy of your credit report Told credit bureaus you do not want to receive unsolicited offers of credit or insurance 37% 36% 61% 61% Yes Source: CONSUM2. Now I am going to read you a list of activities. in the past two years have you [INSERT, READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A THROUGH E BELOW] No 9
50+ Prescription Drug Concerns Currently or Previously Taken Prescription Drugs in the Past Year (n=407) Yes, 77% No, 23% Not sure, <.5% Source:RX1. Are you currently taking or have you taken any prescription drugs in the past year? 10
50+ Prescription Drug Concerns Actions Taken Due to the Cost of Prescription Drugs (n=407) Asked your doctor for free samples Skipped doses or cut pills to make the medicine last longer Sacrificed buying something else you needed Delayed getting a prescription refilled Contacted the government about a prescription drug assistance program Contacted a pharmaceutical company about a prescription drug assistance program Purchased drugs from a pharmacy in another country Asked family members to pay for drugs 23% 19% 17% 15% 13% 12% 4% 3% Source: RX3. in the past year have you done any of the following because of the cost of your prescription drugs? Have you [INSERT, READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A THROUGH H BELOW] 11
50+ Long-Term Care Concerns Importance of Having Long-Term Care Services That Allow Aging in Place (n=407) Extremely important, 53% Very important, 36% Not Sure/ Refused, 1% Not at all important, 2% Not very important, 1% Somewhat important, 8% Source: HLTC3. If you or a family member needed long-term care services, how important would it be to you to have services that would allow you or your family member to stay at home as long as possible? Would it be extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important? 12
50+ Long-Term Care Concerns Importance of Having Home and Community-Based Services Available in One s Community (n=407) Extremely important, 34% Very important, 40% Not Sure/ Refused, 1% Not at all important, 3% Not very important, 4% Somewhat important, 18% Source: HLTC1. How important is it to you that home and community-based services, such as home health care, personal care, adult day health services and transportation, be available in your community? Is it is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important? 13
50+ Long-Term Care Concerns Preferred Care Option for Long-Term Care (n=407) Have care provided in a home-like setting such as an assisted living or a care home, 33% Not sure/refused, 8% Have care provided in a nursing home, 7% Be able to pay a nurse or a personal care aide to provide care at home, 29% Have family and friends provide all the care at home, 24% Source: HLTC2. If you or any member of your family needed long-term care services which care option would you prefer? Would you prefer to [INSERT, READ AND RANDOMIZE EACH STATEMENT BELOW.] 14
50+ Long-Term Care Concerns Perceived Ease of Finding Long-Term Care Services in Community (n=407) Appropriate long-term care within a reasonable distance from your home 54% 6% 37% Appropriate long-term care when it was needed 48% 6% 41% Appropriate long-term care that you were able to afford 31% 9% 57% Very/Somewhat Easy Neither Easy nor Hard Very/Somewhat Hard Source: HLTC5. If you needed long-term care services in your community for you or a family member, how easy or hard do you think it would be to [INSERT, READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A THROUGH C BELOW]? Do you think it would be very easy, somewhat easy, neither easy nor hard, somewhat hard or very hard?: 15
50+ Survey Sample Demographics (n=407) AGE 50-59 60-74 75+ GENDER Male Female DISABILITY Yes No 22% 18% 34% 44% 49% 51% ETHNICITY Hispanic/ Latino HOUSEHOLD INCOME <30K 30K-<50K 50K-<75K 81% 75K+ 1% RACE White Black <0.5% Native 2% Asian 0% Other 4% 36% 20% 18% 12% 92% 16
50+ Survey Sample Demographics (n=407) EMPLOYED Employed 49% PARTY AFFILIATION Democrat 24% Retired Unemployed 5% 40% Republican Independent 29% 28% Other 7% POLITICAL VIEWS EDUCATION HS or less Post HS or 2 yr. 38% 29% Liberal Moderate Conservative 17% 22% 52% 4 yr. degree Post grad no degree Graduate degree 15% 4% 14% AARP MEMBERSHIP Yes No 44% 55% 17
CONTACT For more information, please contact: Stacia Dahl Associate State Director, Communications (406) 457-4704 SDahl@aarp.org AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Copyright 2011 AARP Research & Strategic Analysis, 601 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20049 Reprinting with Permission 18