News Release:

ATLANTA – A new survey of AARP Georgia members between the ages of 50 and 60 shows the critical importance of services and policies that support family caregivers and those who rely on long term care services. With budgets for agencies providing these services facing deep cuts, there is growing concern among AARP members about whether such services will remain available.

“All Georgians are feeling the effects of a tight economy and many will feel the impact of cuts to our state budget,” stated Cas Robinson, AARP Georgia State President. “Many of our members rely on services such as meals on wheels and adult day care as they care for aging parents and try to stabilize their own financial situations.”

Funding for the Georgia Division of Aging Services recently had six percent of their funding slashed and could face cuts of 10% or more. Next on the chopping block are cuts of more than $2.7 million in respite services and almost 100,000 meals. With current and pending cuts to these homecare services, only 22% of AARP members feel confident in their ability to pay for critically needed services.

Some key findings of the survey include:

• Two out of five (41%) AARP members in Georgia between the ages of 50 and 60 say they have been a caregiver to a family member of friend in the last 12 months.
• Nine out of ten members surveyed say it would be extremely or very important to have services that would enable their family members and themselves to stay at home for as long as possible, of long term care services were needed.
• Nearly as many members believe it is extremely or very important for the State of Georgia to maintain adequate levels of funding for home care services so people in need of long term care services can remain in their homes for as long as possible.
• Most AARP members believe it is important for Georgia to maintain funding for programs that support family caregivers.

“With the legislative session right around the corner, I hope our lawmakers consider the need for these services and the strong opposition our members have towards further cuts,” Robinson added. “Family caregivers struggling to keep a loved one out of a nursing home are stretched even further in today’s economy. Now is the time to ensure caregivers have the support they need.”

This AARP-Commissioned telephone survey of 803 AARP Georgia members ages 50 to 60 was conducted between November 6, 2008 and November 14, 2008. The sampling error for this survey is  3.4 percent.

AARP is a membership organization leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service. The organization represents nearly 1.1 million Georgians.