Most Hispanic & Latino New Yorkers Say NY State Not Offering Enough Support to Family Caregivers

New Survey Finds Over 80% Would Prefer to Receive Long-Term Care at Home with Caregiver Assistance If They or a Family Member Need It

En Español | ALBANY, N.Y. – A majority of Hispanic and Latino registered voters ages 40 and older in New York do not believe their state government offers enough support for family caregivers, and most would prefer to receive long-term care at home with caregiver assistance if they or a family member needed it, according to a survey released today by AARP New York.

Most respondents also have concerns about nursing home care, with 90% extremely or very concerned about the quality of care they would receive in a nursing home and about nursing home understaffing. At least 70% of Hispanic and Latino voters are concerned about being isolated, alone and exposed to COVID-19, its variants or other infections.

Over half (52%) do not believe their state government is doing enough for family caregivers. More than four in five respondents (83%) would prefer to receive long-term care at home with caregiver assistance, while only 4% would prefer a nursing home.

The responses were gleaned from a telephone survey of 1,345 registered voters age 40-plus that AARP New York conducted last fall. The report, “Hispanic or Latino Age 40+ in New York: Their Attitudes and Opinions on Caregiving,” focused on respondents who identified as Hispanic or Latino.

When asked about paying for long-term care, 64% of respondents say they are not very, or not at all, confident of their ability to do so. Three in four say paying for home care services for themselves or a loved would have a negative effect on their financial future, with one saying “I would be bankrupt,” and another saying it would “drain every penny I have.”

“We are seeing these same concerns, worries and stresses over family caregiving all across the state and among all demographics in our surveys,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “Our population here in New York State is aging rapidly, and every day more New Yorkers are stepping up to provide essential daily care to an older adult loved one , while also juggling jobs and other family needs.

“That’s why Governor Hochul and the State Legislature need to provide in the next state budget the funding necessary to support the home- and community-based services that allow aging New Yorkers to remain in their own homes and communities, where they prefer to be, rather than in far costlier nursing homes or other adult care facilities.”

Among the Hispanic or Latino family caregiving report’s other key findings:

- 98% favor more funding for home- and community-based services such as home-delivered meals, transportation, personal care and case management

- Care consultation tops the list of services they believe New York State government should offer more of

- 96% express support for more funding for New York State’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to ensure that all nursing homes are visited on a regular basis

- More than 80% believe their state government should offer family caregivers financial assistance, respite care and other supports

Among the recommendations AARP New York is advocating in the final 2024-25 state budget:

Eliminate Waiting Lists – Provide an additional $51 million to eliminate the waiting lists too many older New Yorkers find themselves languishing on for basic services such as transportation, housekeeping and personal care.

Increased Transparency – Require the State Office for the Aging to develop and post detailed reporting of where the waiting lists exist by county and requested service, and provide this information to the Governor and Legislature annually.

Nursing Home Oversight – Provide an additional $15 million in funding for New York State’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to ensure that all nursing homes and other adult care facilities are visited on a regular basis.

To read the full report and learn more visit: www.aarp.org/NY

Connect with AARP New York on X: @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York

About AARP

AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.