Questions about Paying for Long-Term Care

In a recent survey of Hawaii residents age 50-plus, 59 percent said they were likely to need long-term care in the future. Even so, 64 percent expressed doubt that they could afford a year of nursing home care, and half were not confident they could afford a year of long-term care at home.

About six in 10 respondents favor establishing a public long-term-care insurance program, in which all working individuals would pay monthly premiums in order to be eligible for care in the future. Among those supporting such a program, 36 percent would be willing to pay between $50 and $74 per month in premiums, while 29 percent would be willing to pay between $75 and $124, and 24 percent would pay between $125 and $199.

AARP Hawaii is urging lawmakers to pass legislation (SB 104, HB 1) that would fund a study to determine whether such a program is feasible.

To help with advocacy, go to aarp.org/hi.

Photo by  Leo Reynolds/flickr