AP-NORC releases new analysis of Hispanics' experiences with long-term care

(Press-News.org) Chicago, November 18, 2014--The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has released an issue brief containing results of a survey about Hispanics' experiences with long-term care in the United States. The issue brief provides new data on how Hispanics age 40 and older are, or are not, planning for long-term care, details how their experiences compare to those of non-Hispanics, and highlights ways in which demographic differences among Hispanics affect their experiences. The study also addresses how Hispanics' familial relationships are impacted by providing care, and the level of support for policy proposals that may help Americans prepare for the costs of ongoing living assistance. This information is vital as policymakers are currently grappling with how to plan for and finance high-quality long-term care in the United States.

"The Hispanic population of the United States will more than double by the year 2060, and comprise about 21 percent of the U.S. population age 65 and older. This is a significant demographic shift," said Trevor Tompson, director of the AP-NORC Center. "With only 1 in 5 people in this rapidly growing population confident they will have the financial resources needed to pay for care, this is a serious policy issue facing the country and its aging population."

As part of a national survey, the AP-NORC Center conducted interviews with 458 Hispanics and 1,287 non-Hispanics age 40 or older from the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Funding for the survey was provided by The SCAN Foundation.

Key findings of the study include: Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanics to foresee needing long-term care, but report feeling less prepared for that care and are more concerned about the financial consequences. Just 1 in 5 is confident they will have the financial resources to pay for any care they may need as they age. Six in 10 Hispanics age 40 or older have experience with long-term care--either as a recipient or a care provider--and the vast majority who have provided care reflect positively on that experience. Hispanics support a number of policy proposals that may help Americans address the costs of long-term care, including 71 percent supporting tax breaks to encourage savings. Hispanics age 40 or older anticipate needing long-term care at a higher rate than other Americans, yet only 1 in 10 report planning for this necessity. Annual household income is a major factor in whether or not Hispanics have planned for future ongoing living assistance need, more so than for other Americans. Hispanics age 40 or older anticipate needing support from Medicaid for ongoing living assistance at a significantly higher rate than non-Hispanics.

INFORMATION:

About the Survey This survey, funded by The SCAN Foundation, was conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research between the dates of March 13 through April 23, 2014. This random-digit-dial (RDD) survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia was conducted via telephone with 1,745 adults age 40 or older. The sample included 1,340 respondents on landlines and 405 respondents on cell phones. The sample also included oversamples of Californians and Hispanics nationwide age 40 or older. The sample includes 458 Hispanics and 1,287 non-Hispanics from the 50 states and the District of Columbia age 40 or older. Interviews were conducted in both English and Spanish, depending on respondent preference. All interviews were completed by professional interviewers who were carefully trained on the specific survey for this study.

About The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research taps into the power of social science research and the highest-quality journalism to bring key information to people across the nation and throughout the world. http://www.apnorc.org

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP. http://www.ap.org.

NORC at the University of Chicago is an independent research organization that collaborates with government agencies, foundations, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to provide data and analysis that support informed decision making in key areas including health, education, economics, crime, justice, and energy. NORC's 70 years of leadership and experience in data collection, analysis, and dissemination--coupled with deep subject matter expertise--provides the foundation for effective solutions. http://www.norc.org

The two organizations have established the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research to conduct, analyze, and distribute social science research in the public interest on newsworthy topics, and to use the power of journalism to tell the stories that research reveals.

The SCAN Foundation is dedicated to advancing a coordinated and easily navigated system of high quality services for older adults that preserve dignity and independence. http://www.thescanfoundation.org/

Contact: For more information please contact: Eric Young for NORC at the University of Chicago at young-eric@norc.org or (703) 217-6814 or Paul Colford for The Associated Press at pcolford@ap.org.