Attitudes and Opinions of Citizens Over 60 in Washtenaw County Poll

AAA 1-B Washtenaw County Poll Conducted August 21-26, 2019 (N=286 60 + Residents) 1/3 Cell Phones/2/3 Landlines Margin of Error= +5.78% 1

Goals and Objectives of the Research The goals were to determine the following: Determine attitudes and opinions on a wide variety of issues impacting citizens over the age of 60 who live in St. Clair County, Michigan. Those issues include: (1)Conditions in their homes (8) Serious Challenges (2) Transportation issues (9) Unmet Needs (3) Physical and mental health issues (10) Knowledge of benefits (4) Addictions (11) Healthcare resources (5) Social involvement (6) Treatment by others (7) Hardships (12) Income/Financial Info 2

Methodology Mitchell Research & Communications conducted a quantitative study (telephone survey) to determine attitudes and opinions on a wide variety of issues facing 60+ residents of Washtenaw County. The telephone survey of N=286 Washtenaw County residents over the age of 60 was conducted August 21-26, 2019 and has a MoE of + or 5.78% at the 95% level of confidence. A telephone list containing landline and cellphone numbers for all 60+ residents in St. Clair County was used. Filter questions were asked so that only respondents who were 60+ and residents of St. Washtenaw County were surveyed. Any calls to non- residents or those younger than 60 were terminated. Sixty-seven percent of all calls were completed to landlines and 33% to cell phones. The gender split was 50% female, 50% male. 3

Gender 60% 50% 50% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Male Female 4 4

Age 25% 23% 22% 20% 20% 20% 15% 15% 10% 5% 0% 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80+ 5 5 5

Area 80% 76% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 24% 20% 10% 0% Rural Urban 6

Home Condition Concerns The top concerns are too cluttered (15.4%) (12,032) and not enough handrails or grab bars at 13.3% (10,391) 4

Home Condition Concerns 32.9% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 15.4% 20.0% 13.3% 15.0% 9.4% 6.6% 6.3% 10.0% 2.8% 2.4% 5.0% 0.0% 8

Conclusions Home Condition Concerns The top concerns are too cluttered (15.4%) (12,032) and not enough handrails or grab bars at 13.3% (10,391). There are no major differences between the specific groups (age, income, area) tested. The next grouping of issues would be home needs minor repairs (9.4%) (7,344), and poor water quality (6.6%) (5,157). In terms of home needs minor repairs , this number increases to 15.2% (2,731) with those making below $25K.

Conclusions Home Condition Concerns The last three would be need smoke detector (6.3%) (4,922), presence of mold (2.8%) (2,188) and need a ramp (2.4%) (1,875). There are no differences between the specific groups (age, income, area) tested.

Transportation Issues Transportation to Doctors Appointment 90.0% 84.3% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 8.4% 10.0% 2.8% 2.1% 0.0% Drive Themselves Ride From Spouse/Family Public Transportation Other 11

Transportation Issues Missed a Medical Appointment in Last 12 Months Due to Transportation 3.5% 2,735 seniors At least 8 missed appointments every business day 12

Conclusions Transportation Concerns Only 6.6% () of respondents said they have trouble getting to the places they need to go. When respondents need to see a doctor, 84.3% (65,864) drive themselves. As one would expect, the percentage is lower among those making below $25,000 (62.1%) (11,159) and much higher among those making more than $25,000 (90.9%) (54,685). Another 8.4% (6,563) get a ride from their spouse or family. This number is higher among those making below $25,000 (19.7%) (3,540).

Health Concerns A little under half (41.6%) (32,502) of all respondents do not have any health concerns. 4

Health Concerns 45.0% 41.6% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.6% 17.5% 20.0% 16.1% 15.7% 15.0% 13.3% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 15

Conclusions Health Concerns Those making less than $25,000 per year had a higher percentage of respondents citing not being able to do things I enjoy , coping with pain , fear of falling , losing my independence , and paying for health care . Almost all of the respondents (99.9%) (78,052) have a regular primary care physician. That is true of 99.2% (29,451) of those 75+, and 98.5% (17,700) of those making under $25,000 per year.

Missed Doctor and Dentist Appointments when they Thought They Should Go 14.0% 12.6% 12.0% 10.0% 7.7% 8.0% Doctor Dentist 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% Yes 17

Conclusions Missed Appointments Seven and seven tenths percent (7.7%) (6,016) of the respondents said that there have been times in the last twelve months where they thought they should see a doctor but did not. Again, the percentage of respondents who did not go to a dentist when they thought they should (12.6%) (9,844) is slightly lower than the almost 8% that did not see a doctor. The percentage is much higher among those making below $25,000 (28.8%) (5,175) and lower among those making more than $25,000 (7.7%) (4,632).

Conclusions Missed Appointments Reasons cited include (N=22): I could not afford it and I had no way of getting there both at (31.8%) (1,911) It was not covered by my insurance (22.7%) (1,364) I was too afraid to go (18.2%) (1,094) I was too sick to go (13.6%) (817) I could not get anyone to take me as a patient (9.1%) (547) Other (54.5%) (3,275)

Quality of Health About eight in ten (82.5%) (64,457) of respondents said in general their health is very good (38.1%) (29,768) or good (44.4%) (34,690). Another 16.1% (12,579) said it is fair while just 1.4% (1,094) said it was poor. 4

Quality of Health - General Health 100% 100.0% 90.0% 83.50% 80.0% 70.0% Total <25K >25K Rural Urban 60.0% 50.0% 44.4% 39.4% 41.4% 38.1% 40.0% 30.3% 27.30% 30.0% 27.3% 16.1% 20.0% 11.8% 10.0% 1.4% 0.0% Very Good Good Fair Poor 21

Quality of Health - Causes of Painful Feelings 28.0% 30.0% 25.0% 22.0% 18.2%16.8% 20.0% 15.0% 11.2%10.5% 10.5% 7.7% 10.0% 6.3% 4.9% 4.5% 3.5% 5.0% 0.0% 22

Quality of Life Seventy one point zero percent of respondents (71.0%) (55,472) say that during the past 30 days they have had no difficult or painful feelings such as stress, grief, worry, anger, or loneliness That percentage is higher among those living in rural areas (80.9%) (15,170) Almost one third (28.0%) (21,876) say that from a list of things that might cause them pain, the inability to do things I used to is mentioned most often. This rises to 45.5% (8,176) among those making under $25,000 per year and to 36.7% (17,778) among those 60-74 This falls to 22.7% (13,656) among those making more than $25,000 and to 15.8% (4,691) among those 75+.

Addictions 25.0% 19.6% 20.0% 15.0% 12.2% 10.0% 7.0% 4.5% 5.0% 1.4% 0.7% 0.3% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 24

Addictions Working To Quit 80.0% 74.4% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 25.6% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Yes No 25

Addictions Why Not Working To Quit 90.0% 76.1% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 11.9% 7.5% 10.0% 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 0.0% Not Ready Programs are Tried, Don't Know of Local Programs Can't Get to Programs Can't Afford It for Younger People Unsuccessful 26

Conclusions Addictions Among the more serious addictions, alcohol was cited by 0.7% (547), opioids/narcotic pain medication by 0.3% (234), marijuana by 0.0% (0), and illegal drugs by 0.0% (0) (N=90) Those with addictions were asked whether or not they are actively working to quit. About one in five (25.6%) (6,294) said that they are trying to quit. It is higher lower among those living in rural areas (15.0%) (872) (N=67) When those who said they were not actively trying to quit were asked why not, the most common answer was not ready to quit (76.1%) (13,929).

Social Involvement Friends, Neighbors, and Relatives Total 75.9% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 23.1% 20.0% 10.0% 1.0% 0.0% Not Enough About Enough Too Much 28

Social Involvement Social Activity 90.0% 83.8% 78.3% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% Total Rural 40.0% 30.0% 19.9% 20.0% 10.0% 1.7% 0.0% Not Enough About Enough Too Much 29

Social Involvement Someone To Count On for Understanding and Advice 96.0% 94.4% 94.0% 92.0% 90.0% 89.4% 88.0% 86.0% 84.0% Total <25K 30

Social Involvement Would Participate 80.0% 67.2% 65.5% 63.8% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 50.0% 40.0% 32.8% 30.0% 20.7% 15.5% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 31

Social Involvement What Prevents You From Participating 12.9% 12.6% 12.2% 12.0% 14.0% 10.0% 9.1% 8.7% 8.0% 6.3% 6.0% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% Don't Know of Such Programs Prefer To Be With Younger People Cannot Afford It Don't Want To Be With People In The Programs Don't Have A Way To Get There Too Sick/Disabled to Participate 32

Elder Abuse When asked about whether or not they are being treated badly, at least 98% (76,567) say they are not. As we repeatedly see, there is a higher incidence of people making under $25K a year and those over the age of 75 indicating they are being treated badly. Conversely, almost no rural residents report being treated badly on any of the issues discussed. There are three examples: 1.0% (781) of all respondents say I feel that I am being abused, but that percentage is 3.0% (234) of those making under $25K. 0.7% (547) say someone is supposed to prepare my food but is not doing it, but the incidence of those making under $25K (1.5%) (1,172) is higher. 0.3% (234) say someone is supposed to help me with my medication but is not, while the percentage goes to 1.5% (1,172) of those making under $25K.

Greatest Hardship Faced by Others 29.1% 30.0% 25.0% 19.3% 20.0% 15.2%13.9% 15.0% 9.4% 10.0% 4.5% 4.0% 5.0% 2.7% 1.8% Yes 0.0% 34

Serious Challenges 20.0% 18.5% 18.0% 15.4% 16.0% 14.0% 10.8% 12.0% 8.7%8.0% 7.7% 7.7%7.3%6.6%5.9% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 3.1% 2.8%2.1% 4.0% 2.0% Yes 0.0% 4

Conclusions Biggest Unmet Need Challenges The following is the list of the biggest unmet need faced by older adults cited by respondents: Home care assistance (19.9%) (15,548) Affordable housing (16.8%) (13,126) Door-to-door transportation (12.6%) (9,844) Home maintenance assistance (11.5%) (8,985) Other (9.1%) (7,110) Information about senior services (5.9%) (4,610) Food or nutritious food options (2.8%) (2,188) Don t Know (21.3%) (16,642)

Receiving All Benefits Eligible For 90.0% 84.6% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 11.5% 10.0% 3.8% 0.0% Yes No Not Sure 4

Conclusions Need Assistance or Information Ranked in order from most to least mentioned, the following are the list of services (N=53): Medication discounts (27.3%) (3,953) Tax preparation/filing assistance (25.0%) (3,620) Medicare premium payment assistance (22.7%) (3,287) Home energy weatherization (22.7%) (3,287) Free cell phone (18.2%) (2,635) Medicare/health insurance counseling (18.2%) (2,635) Food pantry delivery (15.9%) (2,302) Property tax relief (13.6%) (1,969) Job training or employment assistance (13.6%) (1,969) Veterans benefits (11.4%) (1,651) SNAP/Food stamps/Bridge card (11.4%) (1.651) Reverse mortgage counseling (4.5%) (652) 4

Conclusions Information About Aging and Resources Ranked in order from most to least mentioned, the following are the list of services: Friends/family (74.1%) (54,894) Doctor or healthcare provider (66.1%) (51,644) Internet search (57.3%) (44,768) Mail delivered to my home (51.4%) (40,159) Library (44.4%) (34,690) Senior centers (30.1%) (23,517) Service agency such as an Area Agency on Aging (38.1%) (29,768) Newspapers (37.4%) (29,221) Magazines (28.7%) (22,423) TV (26.2%) (20,470) Flyers, posters, or billboards (19.6%) (15,313) Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. (18.2%) (14,220) Radio (17.1%) (13,360) 4

Total Combined Income 90.0% 76.9% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% At/Below $25,365 Above $25,365 40.0% 30.0% 23.1% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% At/Below $25,365 Above $25,365 4

Trouble Paying Bills 80.0% 68.5% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 26.6% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 4.9% 0.0% Can comfortably afford to pay bills Cann afford to pay bills if careful about spending Have trouble paying bills no matter how careful 4

Conclusions Trouble Paying Bills Just slightly under two thirds (68.5%) (53,519) can comfortably afford to pay [their] bills with money left over. This is lower with those making under $25K (39.4%) (7,080). It is higher, as you would expect, with those making $25K or more (77.3%) (46,504). About a third (26.6%) (20,783) can afford to pay [their] bills if [they] are careful about spending. This is higher with those making under $25K (48.5%) (8,715). Five point eight percent (4.9%) (3,828) have trouble paying bills no matter how careful. This climbs to 12.1% (2,174) of those making under $25K. 4

Personal Debt excluding home, auto 80.0% 72.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 9.4% 9.1% 6.3% 10.0% 3.1% 0.0% No Debt Less than $1,000 Between $1,000 and $5,000 Between $5,000 and $10,000 More than $10,000 4

Conclusions Personal Debt Almost three-fourths of the respondents (72.0%) (56,234) have no debt. This number declines when looking at respondents making less than $25,000 per year (68.2%) (12,256). 4

Behind On Payment 16.0% 15.0% 14.0% 12.0% 10.0% 8.8% 8.0% 6.3% 6.3% 6.0% 3.8% 3.8% 4.0% 2.0% 0.0% Medical bills Utilities Property taxes Credit cards Rent Mortgage 4

Conclusions Behind On Payment (N=81) About one in ten respondents (15.0%) (3,319) are behind medical bills This is higher with those who make less than $25K annually (23.8%) (1,198) as well as those who live in rural areas (23.1%) (1,213) Eight point eight percent (8.8%) (1,947) are utilities This increases with those making less than $25K (14.3%) (719) Six point three percent (6.3%) (1,394) are behind on property taxes This climbs to 14.3% (719) with those making less than $25K Three point eight percent (3.8%) (841) are behind on mortgage and behind on rent Out of those who are behind on rent, 9.5% (478) of them are making less than $25K 4

Thank You Steve Mitchell Mitchell Research & Communications, Inc. 314 Evergreen Suite B, East Lansing, MI 48823 steve@mitchellresearch.net Office: 517-351-4111 Cell: 248-891-2414 6/10/2019 47