AARP Survey Shows Pennsylvania Residents Underestimate Long-Term Care Costs
Posted on: Wednesday, 13 December 2006, 15:00 CST
HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Most Pennsylvania residents are unaware of the costs associated with long-term care and overestimate the amount that government programs such as Medicare will pay, according to an AARP report released today.
The Pennsylvania results are part of a national AARP study entitled "The Costs of Long-Term Care: Public Perceptions Versus Reality in 2006." The national study surveyed 1,456 Americans age 45 and older to assess their knowledge of the costs and funding sources for nursing homes, assisted living residences and in-home care.
The 2006 report confirms that little has changed since the study was first conducted in 2001. The "Costs of Long-Term Care: Public Perceptions Versus Reality in 2006" found that while many people nationwide say they are "familiar" with long-term care, most actually have little idea about the costs:
-- More than half (60%) say they are at least "somewhat familiar" with long-term care services currently available; -- However, less than one in ten (8%) could reasonably estimate the cost of nursing home care; -- Less than a quarter (23%) could reasonably estimate the cost of assisted living, and 23 percent say they don't know what an in-home visit by a skilled nurse would cost; -- Only one in 10 (9%) could reasonably estimate the cost of an in-home visit by an aide. Among the 400 Pennsylvania residents surveyed: -- Only 15% reasonably estimate the state's $6,874 average private pay monthly nursing home fee; -- Just one in ten (9%) reasonably estimate the state's $80 average cost for an in-home visit by a home aide; -- Over half (55%) incorrectly believe Medicare will pay for a long-term nursing home stay; -- Nearly half (46%) incorrectly believe Medicare will pay for assisted living residence care.
"We are encouraging people to talk with their families, in advance of a crisis, about the kinds of care they would like to receive. If people know what they want, and have an opportunity to realistically plan for their future, they have a much greater chance of living the lifestyle they want in their later years," said AARP National Board Member Jennie Chin Hansen, RN, MSN, FAAN.
The entire "Costs of Long-Term Care: Public Perceptions Versus Reality in 2006" study is available at http://www.aarp.org/longtermcare.
AARP has over 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania. AARP is a non-profit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. We provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of unique benefits, special products and services for our members.
Contact - Steve Gardner, AARP Pennsylvania Associate State Director for Communications, 717-237-6481
AARP Pennsylvania
CONTACT: Steve Gardner, AARP Pennsylvania Associate State Director forCommunications, +1-717-237-6481
Web site: http://www.aarp.org/http://www.aarp.org/longtermcare
Source: PRNewswire
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