State Long-Term Care Research

Long-term care assists older Americans who have chronic or acute conditions, disabilities, or frailties with the basic tasks of daily living that they can no longer handle on their own. This care includes bathing and dressing, toileting, preparing meals, managing medications, nursing tasks, paying bills, housekeeping, and transportation to doctor's offices and shopping. Long-term care can be provided at home, or in a facility, like a nursing home or assisted-living facility.

In fact, one in two people 65 years and older are likely to need some form of paid long-term care in their lifetime. Long-term care can be expensive — the median cost of a nursing home in the United States for one year is $85,000. And most long-term care expenses are not covered by Medicare. Our survey findings provide important information for state legislators to pass legislation that will ensure that older Americans receive high quality long-term care in the setting of their choice.

Insights by State

Illinois

• AARP Illinois Voter Survey on Family Caregiving and Long-Term Care (Report, PDF)
• Annotated Questionnaire (PDF)

Nebraska

• Nebraska Voter Survey on Caregiving and Long-Term Care (Report, PDF)
• Annotated Questionnaire (PDF)

New York

• Long-Term Care in New York: Why Fair Pay for Home Care Workers Is Needed (Fact Sheet, PDF)
• Annotated Questionnaire (PDF)

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Voters Support a Family Caregiver Tax Credit (Infographic, PDF)
• Oklahoma's Seniors Deserve Better (Infographic, PDF)
• Annotated Questionnaire (PDF)

Tennessee

• Tennessee Voter Survey Long-Term Care (Report, PDF)
• Annotated Questionnaire (PDF)