AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Voices of 50-Plus in New Hampshire:Opinions & Perspectives
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Exec u tive S u m m ary
AARP has a strong commitment to help improve the lives of the 50-plus population. To help with this endeavor, AARP commissionedthis survey to gather information on the needs, interests andconcerns of residents in New Hampshire.
This random digit dial telephone survey of 1,000 adults age 50 andolder in New Hampshire was fielded between November 20th and30th 2014. The data presented here is weighted by age and genderto reflect the New Hampshire 50-plus population and has a samplingerror of 3.2%. The full annotated survey can be located atwww.aarp.org/research
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Exec u tive S u m m ary
• Health and financial security are very important in the lives of adults50 and older. More than nine in ten Granite Staters say stayinghealthy, staying mentally sharp, having enough money to meet dailyexpenses, and ensuring their retirement finances are adequate areextremely or very important to them.
• Many of the 50-plus in New Hampshire do not have everything theyneed to address what is most important to them. For instance,nearly a quarter of residents say they do not have what they need tolive comfortably and one in five do not have what they need toprotect themselves from consumer fraud.
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Exec u tive S u m m ary: Financ ialS ec u rity
• Ensuring retirement finances are adequate is extremely or very important to90 percent of New Hampshire residents age 50-plus, yet one out of five saythey do not have what they need to achieve this goal.
• Most employed residents age 50 and older plan to continue working at theirpresent job, or a similar one, for as long as they are able. The majority ofworking respondents say financial considerations would be a major factor indeciding whether to work beyond customary retirement age.
• Many working New Hampshire residents age 50 and older are notcontributing to a workplace savings program, most often because one is notoffered through their employer. Nearly seven out of ten residents age 50-plus in the state support the creation of a state-based work and saveprogram for those without access to a workplace savings program.
• With regard to health care concerns, New Hampshire adults 50 and olderare most worried about increasing health care costs, the possibility of losingtheir insurance, and becoming financially devastated because of illness.
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Exec u tive S u m m ary: Ind epend entL iving
• Being able to stay in their own homes as they age is very important to themajority of New Hampshire residents 50 and older but many do not feel theyhave what they need to do so. As such, nine out of ten support allowingfunds now used only for nursing homes to be used for home andcommunity-based services that allow people to stay in their own homes.
• The majority of New Hampshire residents 50 and older have beencaregivers for adult loved ones, and many more expect to be in the future.Being able to provide care to a loved one is very important to familycaregivers, despite the impact this role has had on those who wereemployed while doing so. As such, most caregivers say having support thatenables them to provide this care, such as information and respite services,is very helpful to have.
• There is widespread support for proposals that would help ensure thathospitals engage with family caregivers so that these residents can continueto provide care to their loved ones, regardless of whether they are in thehospital or transitioning home.
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Im portantFinanc ialIssu es forthe 50-P lu s
32%
52%
83%
83%
85%
87%
90%
90%
94%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Finding the best deals and discounts on localevents/activities
Finding the best deals and discounts on thingsthey want/need
Having affordable utility costs
Protecting against consumer fraud
Affording health care expenses/prescriptions
Having enough money to live comfortably
Receiving Social Security when needed
Making sure retirement finances are adequate
Having enough money to meet daily livingexpenses
P erc entage of50-P lu s in NH Rating Issu es as Extrem ely orVery Im portant(n=1000)
Q1. How important is each of the following in your life right now?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Im portantH ealth and S oc ialIssu es forthe 50-P lu s
66%
82%
84%
88%
92%
94%
95%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Learning new things
Being able to stay in their own home as theyget older
Having quality long-term care for self/family
Receiving Medicare when needed
Adequate health insurance coverage
Staying mentally sharp
Staying healthy
P erc entage of50-P lu s in NH Rating Issu es as Extrem ely orVery Im portant(n=1000)
Q1. How important is each of the following in your life right now?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
H ealth C are C onc erns ofthe 50-P lu s
12%
15%
25%
26%
31%
32%
39%
20%
18%
23%
28%
27%
19%
32%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Finding a health care provider located nearby
Finding a health care provider that acceptsyour insurance
Unable to afford prescription drugs
Unable to afford health care services
Financial devastatation due to health costs
Losing health care insurance
Having to pay more for your health care
W orry abou tH ealth Issu es (n=1000)
Extremely/ Very Worried Somewhat Worried
Q4. I’m going to read to you a list of health issues that people sometimes worry about. Please tell me how worried you are about each of the following. How worried are you about[INSERT ITEM]? Are you extremely worried, very worried, somewhat worried, not very worried, or not at all worried?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
H ealth S ec u rity A m ong the 50-P lu s
Extremely/Very
important,90%Somewhat
/Notimportant
8%
Im portanc e ofH aving A d equ ate H ealthInsu ranc e C overage (n=1000)
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Q1. How important is each of the following in your life right now: (Having adequate health insurance coverage}?Q4. I’m going to read to you a list of health issues that people sometimes worry about. Please tell me how worried you are about each of the following. Howworried are you about [INSERT ITEM]? Are you extremely worried, very worried, somewhat worried, not very worried, or not at all worried?
25%
39%
42%
44%
50%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Unable to affordprescription drugs
Unable to affordhealth care services
Losing health careinsurance
Financialdevastatation due tohealth costs
Having to pay morefor your health care
Resid ents in H ou sehold s Earning L ess Than$30 , 000 A re Extrem ely orVery W orried abou t
H ealth S ec u rity Issu es
AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Ind epend entL iving C onc erns A m ong the 50-P lu s
18%
19%
23%
27%
23%
30%
32%
33%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Staying in their current residence as long aspossible
Having someone who can care for them intheir home if needed
Being able to get around in the communitywhen they are no longer able to drive
Paying for care in a nursing home or otherLTC setting if needed
W orry abou tInd epend entL iving Issu es (n=1000)
Extremely/ Very Worried Somewhat WorriedQ3. I’m going to read to you a list of community issues that people sometimes worry about as they age. Please tell me how worried you are about each of the following. How worriedare you about [INSERT ITEM]? Are you extremely worried, very worried, somewhat worried, not very worried, or not at all worried?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Ind epend entL iving C onc erns A m ong the 50-P lu s
Q1. How important is each of the following in your life right now? [Being able to stay in your own home as I get older]? Would you say this is extremely important,very important, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important?
Extremelyimportant, 37%
Very important,45%
Somewhatimportant, 13%
Not veryimportant, 5%
Im portanc e ofB eing A ble to S tay in You rO wn H om e(n=1000)
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Ind epend entL iving C onc erns A m ong the 50-P lu s
Strongly support,69% Somewhat
support, 21%
Neither supportnor oppose,
4%
Somewhat/Strongly oppose,
4%Not Sure, 2%
S u pportorO ppose A llowing Fu nd s Used O nly forNu rsing H om e C are to A lso B e Used forS ervic es
P rovid ed atH om e (n=1000)
Q15. How strongly do you support or oppose allowing funds now used only for nursing home care to also be used for long-term care services that help people stay intheir own homes or communities? Do you strongly support, somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
C aregiving Issu es A m ong the 50-P lu s
Q5. Are you currently providing unpaid care to an adult loved one? Q7. Have you ever been a family caregiver who provided unpaid care to an adult loved one?Q11. How likely do you think it is that you will provide family caregiving or assistance on an unpaid basis for an adult loved one in the future?
54%
46%
12%
Likely will provide care in thefuture
Has provided care in the past
Is currently providing care
P erc entage of50-P lu s NH Resid ents W ho H ave B eenorExpec tto B e C aregivers
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
C aregiving Issu es A m ong the 50-P lu s
Q12. How important is/was/would it be to you to be able to provide care for your adult loved one so that they can keep living independently in their own home?Would you say this is/was/would be extremely important, very important, somewhat important, not very important or not at all important?
Extremelyimportant,
48%
Very important,36%
Somewhatimportant,
9%Not very/Not at allimportant,
5%
Im portanc e ofB eingA ble to P rovid e C are forL oved O neto Enable TheirInd epend entL iving atH om e
(n=1000)
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
C aregiving Issu es A m ong the 50-P lu s
Types ofC aregiving S u pport(n=7 39) Very orS om ewhatH elpfu lto H ave
Inform ation abou tavailable resou rc es forc aregivers inyou rc om m u nity
8 8 %
Respite c are orbreaks from c aregiving 8 7 %
A ssistanc e with hou sehold c hores 8 2%
A ssistanc e with provid ing transportation 8 2%
A ssistanc e with provid ing m eals 8 0%
C onnec ting with otherc aregivers in sim ilarsitu ations 7 5%
Und erstand ing how to m anage m ed ic ation 7 5%
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Q13. Asked of current, former or likely future caregivers: In your opinion, as a current or former caregiver, or as someone who may provide care in the future, howhelpful would the following types of caregiving support be to you? Would [INSERT ITEM] be very helpful, somewhat helpful, or not helpful?
AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
C aregiving Issu es A m ong the 50-P lu s
60%40%
P erc entage ofC aregivers W ho W orkedW hile They W ere P rovid ing C are
(n=521)
Yes
No
13%
16%
20%
61%
Gave up working entirelyto provide care
Went from working full-time to part-time to
provide care
Took a leave of absencefrom job to provide care
Went into work early orlate, or took time off to
provide care
A c tions W orking C aregivers H aveTaken to P rovid e C are to an A d u lt
L oved O ne(n=313)
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Q9. Have you ever been employed either full or part-time while providing care to your adult loved one? Q10. Asked of those who were employed while caregiving:Did you ever have to [INSERT ITEM]?
AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
C aregiving Issu es A m ong the 50-P lu s
77%
88%92%
Requiring hospitals/health carefacilities to record caregiverinformation upon admission
Requiring hospitals to keepcaregivers informed of major
decisions
Requiring hospitals/rehabs todemonstrate medical tasks to
caregivers
S u pportforRequ iring H ospitals to Engage with C aregivers(n=1000)
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Q14. I’m going to read some proposals to you about family caregiving support and I’d like to know how strongly you support or oppose each one. Do you stronglysupport, somewhat support, neither support nor oppose, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose [INSERT ITEM]?
AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Financ ialS ec u rity A m ong the 50-P lu s
Extremely/Very
important,90%
Notimportant
10%
Im portanc e ofM aking S u re Retirem entFinanc es are A d equ ate (n=1000)
23%
32%
33%
36%
Age 50-64
No workplace savings
Not married
Income <$30K
P erc entage ThatD o NotH ave W hatThey Need forA d equ ate Retirem ent
Financ es
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Q1. How important is each of the following in your life right now: (Making sure your retirement finances are adequate}? Q2. Asked of those who say it is extremelyor very important: Do you have what you need to [make sure your retirement finances are adequate] No/Not sure?
AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Financ ialS ec u rity A m ong the 50-P lu s
10%
13%
39%
46%
55%
70%
Something else
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Retirement account not through an employers, suchas an IRA, Keogh
Personal investments in stocks/bonds
Workplace savings account
Personal savings account
Types ofRetirem entS avings O ptions To W hic h New H am pshireResid ents A ge 50-P lu s A re C ontribu ting
(n=1000)
Q17. Do you currently contribute to any of the following retirement savings options?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Financ ialS ec u rity A m ong the 50-P lu s
7%
8%
25%
27%
32%
Not interested in contributing right now
Spouse/partner contributes
Some other reason
Don't have extra money to contribute
Workplace doesn't offer it
Reasons Em ployed New H am pshire Resid ents A ge 50-P lu s A reNotC ontribu ting to aW orkplac e S avings P lan
(n=224)
Q18. (Employed but not contributing to a workplace savings plan) Which one statement best describes why you do not contribute to a workplace savings plan? Is it…[INSERT ITEM]?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Financ ialS ec u rity A m ong the 50-P lu s
Q19. One proposal to help people without access to retirement savings at work would be to set up a New Hampshire retirement savings plan, authorized by thestate and likely run by the private sector. This plan would be voluntary and professionally managed with low fees. The plan would not use taxpayer dollars to run.How strongly do you support or oppose this plan?
Strongly support,38%
Somewhatsupport,
29%
Neithersupport/oppose,
12%
Somewhat oppose,6%
Strongly oppose,9%
Not Sure/ Refused,6%
S u pportorO ppose the C reation ofaW orkand S ave P lan in NH(n=1000)
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Views on Em ploym entA m ong the 50-P lu s
1%
1%
3%
4%
9%
10%
13%
57%
Go back to school or into a job training program
Start own business
Change careers
Work as a consultant or on an as needed basis
Work part-time and pursue my hobbies, volunteer,travel, etc.
Retire and never return to work
Continue working at my present/similar job, but withreduced hours
Continue working at my present/similar job as longas I am able
W hat’ s Nextin W orkL ife forEm ployed Granite S taters A ge 50-P lu s (n=524)
Q20. (Employed/Unemployed but looking for work respondents) Which of the following best describes what you plan to do next in your work life? Would you [INSERT ITEM]?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Views on Em ploym entA m ong the 50-P lu s
31%
38%
42%
44%
46%
49%
54%
59%
67%
19%
31%
23%
31%
36%
27%
27%
15%
18%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fulfilling requirements for pension
Paying for prescription drugs
Providing benefits for family
Qualify/increase Social Security benefits
Needing/wanting the extra income
Paying health insurance premiums and co-pays
Building up savings
Maintaining health insurance
Enjoying the job/working
Fac tors in D ec id ing to W orkP astC u stom ary Retirem entA ge(n=524)
Major factor Minor factor
Q20. (Employed/Unemployed but looking for work respondents) To what extent would [INSERT ITEM] be a factor in your decision to work beyond customary retirement age?
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Respond entD em ographic s (n=1000)
31%
28%
20%
52%
48%
40%
60%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
75K+
30K-<75K
<30K
HOUSEHOLDINCOME
Female
Male
GENDER
65+
50-64
AGE
8%
2%
39%
50%
6%
13%
12%
68%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Other
Unemployed
Retired
Employed
EMPLOYED
Never married
Widowed
Divorced/Separated
Married/Living with…
MARITAL STATUS
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
Respond entD em ographic s (n=1000)
21%
7%
17%
25%
29%
55%
44%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Graduate degree
Post grad no degree
4 yr. degree
Post HS or 2 yr. degree
HS or less
EDUCATION
No
Yes
AARP MEMBERSHIP
32%
42%
17%
2%
47%
25%
21%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Conservative
Moderate
Liberal
POLITICAL VIEWS
Other
Independent
Republican
Democrat
PARTY AFFILIATION
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AARP Research | aarp.org/research | Copyright 2015 AARP, All Rights Reserved
C ontac ts
• Tod d Fahey, S tate D irec tor, A A RP New H am pshire– TFahey@ aarp. org– (603)230-4109
• Jam ie B u len, C om m u nic ations D irec tor, A A RP New H am pshire– JB u len@ aarp. org– (603)230-4103
• D ou g M c Nu tt, A d voc ac y D irec tor, A A RP New H am pshire– D M c Nu tt@ aarp. org– 603-230-4106
• Kate B rid ges, S eniorResearc hA d visor, A A RP Researc h C enter– KB rid ges@ aarp. org– (202)434-6329
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