2014 AARP Caregiving Survey: Opinions and Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters Age 45 and Older Alabama registered voters want to live independently at home for as long as possible with the help of family caregivers, and they strongly support proposals that will enable family caregivers to help their loved ones remain in their own homes as they age. More than eight in ten (83%) Alabama registered voters age 45 and older say they want to receive care for themselves or their loved ones at home with caregiver assistance when the basic tasks of life become more difficult due to aging or illness. The majority of Alabama registered voters age 45 and older say it is important to have services that help seniors live independently (80%) and to have more resources and training for family caregivers (79%). Over half (51%) of Alabama registered voters age 45 and older are currently providing or have provided unpaid care to an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly or has a physical or mental disability. Nearly seven in ten (68%) Alabama registered voters age 45 and older say it is likely that they will provide unpaid care to an adult loved one in the future. The vast majority of Alabama registered voters age 45 and older strongly support proposals that would help family caregivers when their loved ones go into hospitals or rehabilitation facilities: o Nearly all support requiring hospitals or rehabs to explain and demonstrate medical tasks family caregivers will need to perform after the patient returns home (93%) and to keep family caregivers informed of medical decisions regarding the patient (88%). o Three-quarters (75%) support requiring hospitals to record the caregiver s information in the patient s medical record upon admission. AARP Alabama commissioned a telephone survey of 800 Alabama registered voters 45 and older to learn about their experiences with family caregiving, as well as their opinions on proposals to support family caregivers in the state. This report highlights results from residents interviewed between July 19 and July 26, 2014. The data in this report has been weighted by age and gender to reflect the Alabama registered voter population age 45 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.5 percent. 2014 AARP Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 1
Importance of Family Caregiving More than half of Alabama registered voters age 45 and older have been a family caregiver, and even more expect to be in the future. Over half of Alabama registered voters 45 and older say they have provided care either currently (19%) or in the past (32%) on an unpaid basis for an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly or who has a disability. While one in six residents surveyed are current caregivers about 68 percent think it is at least somewhat likely they will be a caregiver for a relative or friend in the future. Percent of Alabama Registered Voters Age 45+ That Have Been or Expect to Be Caregivers (n=800) 68% 19% 32% Current caregiver Past caregiver Likely future caregiver Most Alabama registered voters 45 and older (83%) believe that being cared for at home with caregiver assistance is the ideal situation when the basic tasks of life become more difficult due to aging or illness. Despite any burden they might have faced caring for a loved one, caregivers are more likely to say the ideal situation for a person who needs assistance is to be cared for at home over more institutional settings (87%). Where Alabama Registered Voters Age 40+ Want to Receive Long-Term Care (N=800) At home with caregiver assistance 83% In an assisted living facility 10% In a nursing home 3% Not sure/no answer 4% 2014 AARP Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 2
With the overwhelming preference for care at home, it is not surprising that most respondents think it is extremely or very important (91%) that services are available in their community to help seniors as well as family caregivers. For instance, the large majority (79%) of respondents believe it is important to have more resources and training for family caregivers so these individuals can continue to help older residents with daily activities, such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. Importance of Having Services That Help Seniors Live Independently (n=800) Extremely/ very important 91% Somewhat important Not7% important 2% Importance of Having More Resources and Training for Caregivers (n=800) Given their experience, it is not surprising that caregivers rate the importance of having services that help seniors live independently, such as home health and transportation, more highly than non-caregivers (85% vs. 75%). Similarly, caregivers are more likely than non-caregivers (82% vs. 74%) to say it is extremely or very important to have more resources and training for available for caregivers so they can continue to help their loved ones remain at home. Support for Family Caregivers at Home Extremely/ very important 79% The typical caregiver in Alabama is a married female in her between 55-64 years old. Seven in ten (70%) report having household incomes below $60,000 a year and one-third (34%) says they have children living at home with them. Many caregivers say they have had to use their own financial resources to help provide care for their loved ones, go into work early or late or take time off to provide care, or even make changes to their home for the loved one for whom they provide care. Actions Alabama Caregivers Have to Care for an Adult Loved One* (n=410, Current or Past Caregivers) Somewhat important 16% Not important 4% Used their own financial resources to help provide care 75% Go into work early or late, or take time off to provide care for a loved one 55% Make changes to your home for the loved one in your care 45% *Graph shows respondents who checked yes under each type of action. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 3
Recognizing the strain that caregivers sometimes face, nearly nine out of ten Alabama residents age 45 and older say they support having options for paid help from a home health aide or other services so caregivers can take a break from the caregiving duties. Importance for Having Respite Care Options for Caregivers (n=800) Support 88% Neither support/ oppose 3% Oppose 6% Don't know/ Refused 3% 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 4
Support for Medical Facilities Involving Family Caregivers Alabama residents age 45+ overwhelmingly support proposals that would help family caregivers when their loved ones go into hospitals or rehabilitation facilities. This survey also found strong support for a number of proposals to help family caregivers navigate the health care system on behalf of their loved ones. Specifically, Alabama residents age 45 and older show widespread support for measures in the Caregiver Advise, Record, and Enable (CARE) Act, which calls for recognition of the critical role family caregivers play in keeping their loved ones out of costly institutions. The bill features three important provisions that would require hospitals to engage with caregivers by recording the name of the family caregiver when a loved one is admitted into a hospital; notifying the caregiver if the loved one is to be discharged to another facility or back home; and providing instructions on the medical tasks the family caregiver may need to perform at home. Percent Supporting Proposals to Help Family Caregivers When Loved Ones Go into Medical Facilities (N=1000) Requiring hospitals/rehabs to demonstrate medical tasks to caregivers 93% Requiring hospitals to keep caregivers informed of major decisions 88% Requiring hospitals/health care facilities to record caregiver information upon admission 75% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% The majority Alabama residents age 45 and older, regardless of political views or their experience as a caregiver, support instituting each of these measures included in the survey. Percent Supporting CARE Act Proposals by Political Ideology Liberal Moderate Conservative Require hospitals and rehab facilities to explain and demonstrate any medical tasks caregivers may need to perform after the patient returns home. 94% (n=81) 95% (n=231) 91% (n=337) Require hospitals to keep caregivers informed of major decisions, like transferring or discharging patient. 90% (n=78) 93% (n=226) 86% (n=318) Require hospitals and care facilities to record the name of a patient s caregiver in the medical record upon admission. 80% (n=70) 78% (n=190) 72% (n=268) 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 5
Conclusion Many Alabama registered voters 45+ have already undertaken the responsibility of family caregiving, and even more recognize it is a likely role in their future. With such an overwhelming preference for living at home with caregiver assistance over assisted living or nursing home care, it is not surprising that there is widespread support for proposals to ensure that family caregivers have the resources they need to continue providing care to their loved ones for as long as possible. Family members often undertake caregiving willingly, and many find it a source of deep satisfaction and meaning. However, caregiving in today s economic climate and fragmented health care system can have a significant impact on the family members who provide care as the results from this survey have shown. From using their own financial resources to modifying their work schedules to accommodate the needs of their loved ones, Alabama caregivers show a determination to uphold their family value of enabling their older family members to remain at home and in the community for as long as possible. Whether through support for respite care options or help in navigating the health care system on behalf of their loved ones, it is clear that registered voters age 45 and older in the state recognize the important contribution of family caregivers. Alabama registered voters 45+ send an imperative message through the survey to elected officials to make it a priority to strengthen laws and regulations, and fund essential services, that support family caregivers in Alabama. 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 6
Demographic Profile of Alabama Respondents GENDER Male 46% Female 54% AGE 65+ 55-64 45-54 31% 35% 34% WORK STATUS Employed FT 37% Employed PT 8% Retired 37% Unemployed 3% EDUCATION Bachelor's or more Some college/assoc.'s 27% 32% High School or less 39% MARITAL STATUS Married 70% Unmarried 29% INCOME Less than $20K 12% $20k <$60k 36% $60k<$100k $100k or more 14% 18% PARTY AFFILIATION Democrat 27% Republican 37% Independent 22% POLITICAL VIEW Conservative 46% Moderate 30% Liberal 11% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 7
2014 Alabama Caregiving Survey (Survey Sample: 45+ Registered Voters in Alabama) (N=800, sampling error = ±3.5%) INTRODUCTION/SCREENER Hello, this is calling from Precision Research, Inc., a national opinion research firm. We are not telemarketers and are not trying to sell you anything. We would like to find out your opinions on caregiving and long-term care issues. Your views are important and we would greatly appreciate your participation. All your responses will be kept entirely confidential. S1. Our study is interested in the opinions of certain age groups. Could you please tell me your age as of your last birthday? [IN YEARS] [RECORD ACTUAL AGE AND USE THE AGE GROUPS BELOW TO KEEP TRACK OF HOW MANY RESPONDENTS WE ARE GETTING IN EACH GROUP.] - [DO NOT READ] Under 45 [ASK TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE 45 OR OLDER AND REPEAT INTRO AND THEN ASK S1. IF NO ONE 45 OR OLDER, TERMINATE.] 16.4% 45-49 17.4% 50-54 30.9% 55-64 35.4% 65 or older - [DO NOT READ] Refused [GO TO S1b] S2. [RECORD RESPONDENT S GENDER. ASK ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.] To ensure it is recorded accurately, could you please state your gender? 46.4% Male 53.6% Female S3. Are you registered to vote in Alabama? 100.0% Yes - No [TERMINATE] 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 8
General Caregiving 1. A family caregiver is someone who provides UNPAID care for an adult loved one who is ill, frail, elderly, or has a physical, mental, or emotional disability. This unpaid care may include assisting with personal needs like bathing and dressing, household chores, meals, shopping, transportation, or managing finances or medical care. Are you currently a family caregiver, or providing UNPAID care to an adult loved one? 19.2% Yes, I currently provide care 80.7% No [SKIP TO QUESTION 5] 0.1% Don t know/not /Refused [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 5] 2. [If currently providing care Ask] Is the person you are providing care for age 50or older? 153 N= 89.8% Yes 10.2% No - Not /Refused [DO NOT READ] 3. Thinking about the person you provide care to the most, what is the age of this person? 153 N= 73.94 MEAN AGE 4.5% [DO NOT READ] Not /Refused 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 9
4. Still, thinking about the person you are currently providing care for, which of the following daily activities or care are you providing? Are you: [READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A-G. ANCHOR ITEM H ALWAYS ASK LAST. RECORD A RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM] A. Assisting with bathing or dressing 153 N 45.0% Yes 54.4% No 0.6% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not B. Providing transportation to appointments 153 N 84.8% Yes 15.2% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not C. Taking them shopping or doing shopping for them 153 N 85.6% Yes 14.4% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not D. Helping them to manage finances 153 N 77.2% Yes 22.8% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 10
E. Aiding with household chores 153 N 86.7% Yes 13.3% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not F. Overseeing their medication management 153 N 69.6% Yes 30.4% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not G. Managing medical or nursing tasks 153 N 67.8% Yes 32.2% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not H. Providing something else [SPECIFY] 153 N 36.2% Yes 62.5% No 1.3% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 11
SKIP TO QUESTION 9 5. Have you ever been a family caregiver who provided UNPAID care to an adult loved one? 647 N= 6. 39.7% Yes, I have provided care to an adult loved one [If 59.6% No [SKIP TO QUESTION 9] provided 0.7% Don t know/not [DO NOT READ] [SKIP TO QUESTION 9] care in the past Ask], Was the person age 50 or older? 257 N= 94.8% Yes 4.9% No 0.3% Not [DO NOT READ] 7. Thinking about the person you most recently provided care to, what was the age of this person when care ceased? 257 N= 76.43 MEAN AGE 3.5% [DO NOT READ] Not 0.7% [DO NOT READ] Deceased 8. Thinking about the person you most recently provided care to, which of the following daily activities did you provide? Did you [READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A-G. RECORD A RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM] A. Assisting with bathing or dressing 257 N 67.2% Yes 32.4% No 0.3% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 12
B. Providing transportation to appointments 257 N 86.2% Yes 13.8% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not C. Taking them shopping or doing shopping for them 257 N 89.7% Yes 10.3% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not D. Helping them to manage finances 257 N 69.5% Yes 30.5% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not E. Aiding with household chores 257 N 88.2% Yes 11.1% No 0.7% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not F. Overseeing their medication management 257 N 73.8% Yes 26.2% No - [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 13
G. Managing medical or nursing tasks 257 N 70.8% Yes 27.9% No 1.3% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not H. Providing something else [SPECIFY] 257 N 34.9% Yes 64.4% No 0.7% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 9. How likely do you think it is that you will provide any caregiving or assistance on an unpaid basis for a relative, friend, spouse, or partner in the future? Is it [READ ALL ANSWER CATEGORIES BELOW.]? 17.9% Extremely likely 23.0% Very likely 27.3% Somewhat likely 15.1% Not very likely 12.5% Not at all likely 4.2% Don t know/not [DO NOT READ] 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 14
10. In your opinion, as a current or former caregiver or as someone who may provide care in the future, how helpful would the following types of caregiving support be to you? Would [INSERT A-G IN RANDOM ORDER] be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not helpful? A. Assistance with providing transportation 42.9% Very helpful 33.2% Somewhat helpful 22.3% Not helpful 1.7% Don t know [DO NOT READ] B. Assistance with understanding how to manage medications 41.7% Very helpful 28.9% Somewhat helpful 26.8% Not helpful 2.6% Don t know [DO NOT READ] C. Connecting with other caregivers in similar situations 32.8% Very helpful 40.7% Somewhat helpful 23.5% Not helpful 3.0% Don t know [DO NOT READ] D. Information about available resources for caregivers in your community 53.0% Very helpful 31.7% Somewhat helpful 12.3% Not helpful 3.1% Don t know [DO NOT READ] 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 15
E. Respite care or breaks from caregiving responsibilities 52.3% Very helpful 32.3% Somewhat helpful 11.9% Not helpful 3.5% Don t know [DO NOT READ] F. Assistance with meals 43.5% Very helpful 34.7% Somewhat helpful 19.6% Not helpful 2.2% Don t know [DO NOT READ] G. Assistance with household chores 43.5% Very helpful 36.4% Somewhat helpful 18.3% Not helpful 1.8% Don t know [DO NOT READ] 11. IF Q1 or Q5 = NO, DON T KNOW, REFUSED [SKIP TO QUESTION 14]. IF Q1=YES: Now thinking again about the adult loved one you are currently providing care to, did you ever have to IF Q5=YES: Now thinking again about the adult loved one you have most recently provided care to While providing this care, did you ever have to [INSERT, READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A THROUGH G. RECORD A RESPONSE FOR EACH ITEM.]? A. Use your own money to help provide care 410 N 75.0% Yes 23.9% No 1.1% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 16
B. Make changes to your home for the loved one in your care 410 N 44.7% Yes 55.1% No 0.2% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not C. Move into another home to accommodate the loved one in your care 410 N 16.5% Yes 82.8% No 0.7% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not D. Go into work early or late, or take time off to provide care for a loved one 410 N 55.4% Yes 43.6% No 0.9% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not E. Take a leave of absence from your job to provide care for a loved one 410 N 24.6% Yes 74.8% No 0.6% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 17
F.Go from working full-time to part-time to provide care for a loved one 410 N 16.4% Yes 83.1% No 0.5% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not G. Give up working entirely to provide care for a loved one 410 N 15.8% Yes 83.7% No 0.5% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not H. [DO NOT READ] Something else [RECORD ANSWER] 410 N 20.3% Yes 79.2% No 0.5% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 12. ASK ONLY IF Q11D IS YES.] You mentioned that you had to go into work early or late, or take time off to provide care to an adult loved one. How often would you say you had to take time away from work or adjust your work schedule to provide care for someone? Would you say [READ ANSWER CATEGORIES BELOW.]? 227 N= 16.5% More than once per week 12.3% Once per week 29.9% Several times per month 18.6% Once per month 18.6% Less than once per month 4.1% [DO NOT READ] Not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 18
13. [IF A CURRENT CAREGIVER Q1= YES ASK.] How important is it to you to be able to provide care for your loved one so that they can keep living independently in their own home? [IF A PAST CAREGIVER Q5= YES ASK.] How important was it to you to be able to provide care for your loved one so that they could keep living independently in their own home? Is it/was it [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY.]? 410 N= 55.1% Extremely important 36.0% Very important 4.0% Somewhat important 1.4% Not very important 2.4% Not at all important 1.0% [DO NOT READ] Not 14. Family caregivers help older Alabama residents live independently by performing services like bathing and dressing as well as administering medication and paying bills. How important do you think it is to have more resources and training for caregivers, do you think it is extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not important or not at all important? [READ ALL ITEMS] 39.6% Extremely important 38.9% Very important 16.4% Somewhat important 1.9% Not very important 2.4% Not at all important 0.8% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 19
CARE ACT [READ]Now I would like to ask you a question about some possible legislative proposals that are designed to help caregivers. 15. There are a number of proposals to provide support for family caregivers so more people can live independently in their homes. I m going to read some proposals to you and I d like to know how strongly you support or oppose each one. Let s begin.. Would you support or oppose and is that strongly or somewhat support? [REPEAT QUESTION FOR A-C Would you support or oppose[ [INSERT A-C] RANDOMIZE A-C] A. Requiring hospitals and care facilities to record the name of a patient s caregiver upon admission 54.0% Strongly support 20.6% Somewhat support 8.4% Neither support nor oppose 7.4% Somewhat oppose 5.5% Strongly oppose 4.1% Don t know/not [DO NOT READ] B. Hospitals keeping a caregiver informed of major decisions, like transferring or discharging the patient? 70.8% Strongly support 16.7% Somewhat support 3.7% Neither support nor oppose 2.8% Somewhat oppose 3.0% Strongly oppose 3.1% Don t know/not [DO NOT READ] 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 20
C. Requiring hospitals and rehab facilities to explain and demonstrate any medical or nursing tasks family caregivers will need to perform after the patient returns home 77.8% Strongly support 14.7% Somewhat support 2.2% Neither support nor oppose 1.1% Somewhat oppose 2.4% Strongly oppose 1.8% Don t know/not [DO NOT READ] Living Independently [READ] I would like to get your opinions on some issues around living independently. 16. Some family caregivers provide around-the-clock care for their loved ones. I m going to read one proposal to you and I d like to know how strongly you support or oppose the proposal. Would you support or oppose [INSERT A] Would you support or oppose and is that strongly or somewhat support? 63.1% Strongly support 24.9% Somewhat support 2.7% Neither support nor oppose 2.5% Somewhat oppose 3.9% Strongly oppose 2.9% Don t know/not sure 17. If you or a family member needed help when the basic tasks of life become more difficult due to aging or illness, where would you prefer to receive that care or help? [READ AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A THROUGH C. ACCEPT ONLY ONE ANSWER.] 83.1% At home with caregiver assistance. 10.0% In an assisted living facility or group home. 2.7% In a nursing home. 4.2% Don t know/not [DO NOT READ] 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 21
18. If you or a family member needed help to remain in your/their home, how important would it be to have services that would allow you or your family member stay at home for as long as possible? Would it be [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]? 60.6% Extremely important 29.9% Very important 6.7% Somewhat important 0.6% Not very important 0.9% Not at all important 1.3% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/refused 19. How important is it that services that help older adults live independently, such as home health care, personal care, day programs, and services so caregivers can take a break from their caregiving duties are available in your community? Is it [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY]? 46.6% Extremely important 33.8% Very important 14.8% Somewhat important 1.6% Not very important 1.2% Not at all important 2.0% [DO NOT READ] Don t know/refused Demographics The following questions are for classification purposes only and will be kept entirely confidential. D1.What is your current marital status? Are you [INSERT AND READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY.]? 69.5% Married 2.5% Not married, living with your partner or significant other 1.2% Separated 8.0% Divorced 11.4% Widowed 6.3% Or are you currently single and never married 1.3% [DO NOT READ] Not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 22
D2.[IF D1 = 1 ASK: Are you or your spouse currently a member of A-A-R-P? IF D1 = 2 ASK: Are you or your partner currently a member of AARP? OTHERWISE ASK Are you currently a member of AARP? ] 29.6% Yes 68.6% No 1.8% [DO NOT READ] Not D3. Thinking about who lives in your household, do you currently [INSERT AND READ ITEMS A THROUGH C BELOW.]? A. Have any children under age 18 living with you 19.9% Yes 78.8% No 1.3% [DO NOT READ] Not B. Have any children over age 18 living with you 26.3% Yes 72.3% No 1.3% [DO NOT READ] Not C. Have any children away at college 12.7% Yes 86.0% No 1.3% [DO NOT READ] Not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 23
D4. [IF D2 = 1 ASK: Does any disability, handicap, or chronic disease keep you or your spouse from participating fully in work, school, housework, or other activities? IF D2 = 2 ASK: Does any disability, handicap, or chronic disease keep you or your partner from participating fully in work, school, housework, or other activities? OTHERWISE ASK Does any disability, handicap, or chronic disease keep you from participating fully in work, school, housework, or other activities? ] 30.9% Yes 66.9% No 2.1% [DO NOT READ] Not D5. What is the highest level of education that you completed? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY.] 10.6% 0 to 12 th grade, but with no diploma 28.8% High school graduate or equivalent 13.7% Post high school education, but with no degree 13.1% 2 year degree 16.6% 4 year degree 3.4% Post graduate study, but with no degree 11.9% Graduate or professional degree 1.9% [DO NOT READ] Not D6. Which of the following best describes your current employment status? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY.] 5.5% Self-employed full-time 3.9% Self-employed part-time 31.5% Employed full-time 4.2% Employed part-time 36.5% Retired and not working at all 3.2% Unemployed and looking for work 12.4% Or are you not in the labor force for other reasons 2.7% [DO NOT READ] Not D7. Do you own or rent your primary residence? 87.2% Own 7.2% Rent 2.1% [DO NOT READ] Other living arrangement [RECORD ANSWER] 3.5% [DO NOT READ] Not D8. What type of home is your primary residence? [READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY.]? 83.9% Single family home 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 24
8.5% Mobile home 0.6% Town home or duplex 2.8% Apartment 0.6% Condominium or co-op 0.7% [DO NOT READ] Something else 2.8% [DO NOT READ] Not D9. Are you of Hispanic, Spanish, or Latino origin or descent? 1.2% Yes 95.4% No 3.5% [DO NOT READ] Not D10. What is your race? Are you [INSERT AND READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY.]? 72.8% White or Caucasian 20.7% Black or African American 1.3% Native American or Alaskan Native 0.1% Asian 0.2% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 1.5% Or are you some other race? [RECORD ANSWER] 3.4% [DO NOT READ] Not D11. Thinking about your state elections for Alabama Governor and Legislators in the last 10 years, which of the following best describes your voting behavior? Would you say you vote always, most of the time, about half of the time, seldom, or would you say you never vote? 57.9% Always 30.5% Most of the time 4.1% About half of the time 3.0% Seldom 1.5% Never 3.1% [DO NOT READ] Not 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 25
D12. Do you consider yourself to be a [INSERT, READ, AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A, B, C, and D.]? 26.5% Democrat 36.5% Republican 22.1% Independent 4.7% Something else [RECORD ANSWER] 10.1% [DO NOT READ] Not D13. How would you characterize your political views? Would you say you are [INSERT, READ, AND RANDOMIZE ITEMS A, B, and C. ]? 46.2% Conservative 30.4% Moderate 10.8% Liberal 2.5% [DO NOT READ] None of these 10.0% [DO NOT READ] Not D14. We realize income is a private matter and so rather than ask you anything specific about your income, I d like to ask you to please stop me when I get to the category that includes your household s income before taxes in 2013. Was it [INSERT AND READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY.]? 3.9% Less than $10,000 8.4% $10,000 to less than $20,000 10.6% $20,000 to less than $30,000 7.8% $30,000 to less than $40,000 10.1% $40,000 to less than $50,000 7.7% $50,000 to less than $60,000 6.9% $60,000 to less than $75,000 11.3% $75,000 to less than $100,000 6.2% $100,000 to less than $125,000 2.4% $125,000 to less than $150,000 2.8% $150,000 to less than $200,000 2.8% $200,000 or more 19.1% [DO NOT READ] Not D15. What is your 5-digit zip code? That was our last question for tonight/today. Thanks you very much for taking the time to help us out. Have a great day/night! 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 26
Full Methodology The 2014 AARP Alabama Caregiving Survey was conducted through telephone interviews with a sample of 800 respondents ages 45 and older drawn from registered voters in Alabama. The interviews were conducted in English by Precision Opinion, Inc. from July 19 th through July 26 th, 2014. The results from the study were weighted by age and gender. The margin of error for the complete set of 800 interviews is ±3.5%. Respondents were screened to insure that they were registered voters in Alabama and age 45 or older. The questionnaire was developed by AARP staff. In order to improve the quality of the data, the questionnaire was pretested with a small number of respondents. The pretest interviews were monitored by Precision Opinion, Inc. and AARP staff. The response rate for this study was 27 percent and was calculated using AAPOR s response rate 3 method. The cooperation rate was 91 percent as calculated using AAPOR s cooperation rate 3 method. 1 Throughout the report, statistics representing survey responses are reported in percentages which may not add up to 100 due to rounding and non-response. Also due to rounding, the percentages reported in the text may vary slightly from those in the annotation or in graphs. 1 Calculated using AAPOR s Outcome Rate Calculator Version 2.1, May 2003 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 27
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The 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. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org. State Research brings the right knowledge at the right time to our state and national partners in support of their efforts to improve the lives of people age 50+. State Research consultants provide strategic insights and actionable research to attain measurable state and national outcomes. The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP. AARP staff from the Alabama State Office, Campaigns, State Advocacy and Strategy Integration (SASI) and State Research contributed to the design, implementation and reporting of this study. Special thanks go to AARP staff including Anna Pritchett, Associate State Director of the AARP Alabama State Office; Chryste Hall and Steve Griffin, Campaigns; Enzo Pastore, Government Affairs; Rachelle Cummins, Joanne Binette, Darlene Matthews and Cheryl Barnes, State Research; and Doris Gilliam, Office of General Counsel. Please contact Aisha Bonner at 202-434-3531 for more information regarding this survey. AARP Research For more information about this survey, please contact Aisha Bonner at: 202.434.3531 or e-mail abonner@aarp.org 2014 AARP Connecticut Caregiving Survey: Opinions & Experiences of Alabama Registered Voters 45 and Older Page 28