Long-term care ranks as top three concern for Minnesota voters

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New survey results suggest a strong majority of Minnesotans believe that the state government needs to provide additional funding and support for nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

According to poll results released by the Long-Term Care Imperative, 83 percent of Minnesota voters believe that additional resources are needed for long-term care. The poll, which was conducted in January, sought to measure the relative importance of older adult services as a public policy issue among Minnesota voters.

When asked about which should be the most important priority for the state Legislature’s funding over the next two years, elderly services ranked second, only behind K-12 education.

“With the coming age wave, the importance of funding for older adult services in our community is as urgent as it’s ever been,” according to Carol Kvidt, administrator at Bethany Community in Alexandria.

With the baby boom generation inching toward retirement, the numbers underscore how important this issue is to the public. According to the survey, six in 10 voters said that funding for older adult services should be increased, even if new tax revenues are required. In addition, 85 percent of the respondents disagree that Minnesota should cut older adult funding to balance the budget.

With the knowledge that registered nurses working in hospitals make an average of $20,000 per year more than the registered nurses working for older adult service providers, six-in-10 respondents said they would be more likely to support increased funding in this area.

“The competition for caregivers is challenging, added to the fact that older adult service providers cannot pay what acute care providers are able to pay,” said Kvidt.

The survey results verified that long-term care is one of the top three issues in the state, along with transportation and education.

About the survey

A random sample of 400 registered voters was polled in the telephone survey conducted by Anderson, Niebuhr & Associates, Inc., over a three-week period in January. This sample size yields results accurate to ±5 percent with a 95 percent confidence level when generalizing to all registered voters in the state.

About The Long-Term Care Imperative

The Long-Term Care Imperative is a legislative collaboration between Care Providers of Minnesota and the Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance, the state’s two long-term care trade associations.

Bethany Community in Alexandria is a member of the Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance.

Tags: longterm, care, survey, minnesota, nursing, homes