Livingston County Attitudes and Opinions Poll Analysis

AAA 1-B Livingston County Poll Conducted August 19-23, 2019 (N=292 60 + Residents) 1/3 Cell Phones -2/3 Landlines Margin of Error= +5.73% 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 Livingston 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 Livingston County. The telephone survey of N=292 Livingston County residents over the age of 60 was conducted August 21-26, 2019 and has a MoE of + or 5.73% at the 95% level of confidence. A telephone list containing landline and cellphone numbers for all 60+ residents in Livingston County was used. 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 52% female, 48% male. 3

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

Age 25% 23% 21% 19% 19% 20% 18% 15% 10% 5% 0% 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80+ 5 5 5

Area 90.0% 83% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 18% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Rural Urban 6 6 6

Home Condition Concerns The top two concerns are not enough handrails or grab bars (14.0%) (7,196 people) and home in need of minor repairs (10.3%)(5,295 people). 4

Home Condition Concerns 28.4% 30% 25% 20% 14.0% 10.3% 15% 7.5% 6.5% 10% 5.8% 2.7% 2.4% 5% 0% 8

Conclusions Home Condition Concerns The top two concerns are not enough handrails or grab bars (14.0%) (7,196) and home in need of minor repairs (10.3%) (5,295). In terms of not enough handrails or grab bars, there are major differences by age, with 9.7% (3,141) of those under 75 saying this is an issue compared to 21.5% (4,089) of those over 75. None of those in the rural areas cited minor repairs as an issue.

Conclusions Home Condition Concerns The next grouping of issues would be poor water quality (7.5%) (3,855), need smoke detector (6.5%) (3,341), and too cluttered (5.8%) (2,981). Of these three, poor water quality is cited as being an issue for those making under $25,000/year, but, No one cited this that lived in the rural parts of the county. The final two would be need a ramp (2.7%) (1,388) and presence of mold (2.4%) (1,234). There are no differences between the specific groups (age, income, area) tested.

Transportation Issues Trouble Getting Where They Need To Go 14.0% 12.1% 12.0% 10.0% 8.0% 6.0% 5.1% 4.0% 2.0% 0.00% 0.0% Yes <25K Rural 11

Transportation Issues Transportation to Doctors Appointment 100.0% 90.1% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 6.5% 10.0% 2.1% 0.7% 0.7% 0.0% Drive Ride From Spose or Family Public Other Don't Themselves Transportation Know/Refused 12

Transportation Issues Missed a Medical Appointment in Last 12 Months Due to Transportation 2% 1,000 seniors At least 4 missed appointments every business day 13

Conclusions Transportation Concerns Only 5.1% (2,622) of respondents said they have trouble getting to the places they need to go. However, that percentage rises to 12.1% (1,431) among those making below $25,000 while none of the rural respondents have this issue. When respondents need to see a doctor, 90.1% (46,314) drive themselves. As one would expect, the percentage is lower among those 75+ (84.1%) (15,995) and among those making below $25,000 (84.8%) (10,026). Another 6.5% (3,341) get a ride from their spouse or family. This number is higher among those 75+ (11.2%) (2,130) and those making below $25,000 (9.1%) (1,076).

Health Concerns Almost one third (30.1%) (15,472) of all respondents do not have any health concerns 4

Health Concerns 35.0% 30.1% 30.0% 25.0% 19.9% 18.5% 18.5% 17.5% 20.0% 16.4% 12.7% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% Yes 0.0% 16

Conclusions Health Concerns In all of the issues except for paying for health care, the problem was cited by a higher percentage of those making under $25,000 and by a lower percentage of those living in rural areas. Almost all of the respondents (97.3%) (50,015) have a regular primary care physician. That is true of 100% (19,019) of those 75+, but only 92.4% (10,924) of those making under $25,000 per year.

Missed Doctor and Dentist Appointments when they Thought They Should Go 25.0% 21.2% 20.0% 18.2% 15.0% 13.0% Doctor Dentist 9.9% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Yes <25K 18

Conclusions Missed Appointments Nine and nine tenths percent (9.9%) (5,089) 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. Almost twice that percentage (18.2%) (2,152) of those making under $25,000 per year said that they did not go. The percentage of respondents who did not go to a dentist when they thought they should is much higher among those making below $25,000 (21.2%) (2,506).

Conclusions Missed Appointments Reasons cited include (N=29): I could not afford it (34.5%) (1,756) I was too afraid (27.6%) (1,405) Could not get in as patient (20.7%) (1,053) Not covered by insurance (17.2%) (875) Too sick to go (17.2%) (875) No way of getting there (6.9%) (351) Other (41.4%) (2,107)

Quality of Health Eight in ten (83.6%) (42,973) of respondents said in general their health is very good (36.0%) (18,505) or good (47.6%) (24,468). Another 13.7% (7,042) said it is fair while just 2.7% (1,388) said it was poor. 4

Quality of Health - General Health 60% 54.2% 47.6% 50% 40% 36.0% 28.0% Total 75+ <25K 27.3% 30% 24.2% 20% 13.7% 10% 2.7% 0% Very Good Good Fair Poor 22

Quality of Life - Causes of Painful Feelings 45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% Yes 0.0% 23

Quality of Life Almost three fourths of the respondents (72.3%) (37,164) 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 75+ (78.5%) (14,930) than other demographics. Another 17.8% (9,149) say they have had those feelings several days, while 4.8% (2,467) say it has been more than half of the days and 5.1% (2,622) say nearly every day. Almost four in ten (38.4%) (19,739) 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 goes to 53.0% (6,266) among those making under $25,000 per year and falls to 31.0% (2,868) living in rural areas.

Addictions 25.00% 22.60% 20.00% 15.00% 10.30% 10.00% 5.10% 5.10% 4.10% 5.00% 2.40% Yes 1.40% 1.00% 0.70% 0.00% 25

Addictions Working To Quit 80.00% 74.20% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% Yes No 40.00% 25.80% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% Yes No 26

Addictions Why Not Working To Quit 90.00% 79.70% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 7.20% 4.30% 2.90% 4.30% 10.00% 1.40% Why They Are Not Working To Quit 0.00% 27

Conclusions Addictions In looking at some of the more serious addictions, alcohol is mentioned by 2.4% (1,234), opioids by 1.0% (514), marijuana by 1.4% (720), and other illegal drugs by 0.7% (360). 75+ respondents (4.7%) (894) and those making under $25,000 (4.5%) (523) are twice as likely to mention alcohol addiction. None of the rural respondents cited alcohol, opioids, marijuana, or illegal drugs. Those with addictions were asked whether or not they are actively trying to quit. About one in four (25.8%) (13,262) said that they are trying to quit. That percentage is higher among those making under $25,000 (34.6%) (4,091) and those 60-74 (32.7%) (10,578). It is lower among those 75+ (18.2%) (3,461) and those who make more than $25,000 per year (22.4%) (8,866).

Social Involvement Friends, Neighbors, and Relatives 90.0% 82.4% 76.7% 80.0% 71.2% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% Not Enough About Enough 40.0% 28.8% 30.0% 19.5% 20.0% 9.8% 10.0% 0.0% Total <25K Rural 29

Social Involvement Social Activity 100.0% 90.0% 90.0% 80.0% 73.3% 70.0% 62.1% 60.0% Not Enough About Enough 50.0% 36.4% 40.0% 30.0% 22.6% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Total <25K Rural 30

Social Involvement Someone To Count On for Understanding and Advice 97.0% 95.9% 96.0% 95.0% 94.0% 93.0% Yes 92.0% 90.9% 91.0% 90.0% 89.0% 88.0% Total <25K 31

Social Involvement Would Participate 80.0% 68.0% 64.0% 70.0% 54.7% 60.0% 53.3% 45.3% 50.0% 40.0% 30.7% 30.0% 21.3% 20.0% 10.0% Yes 0.0% 32

Social Involvement What Prevents you from Participating 20.00% 17.5% 17.1% 18.00% 16.00% 14.00% 12.7% 12.00% 9.6% 10.00% 7.5% 8.00% 5.5% Yes 6.00% 4.00% 2.00% 0.00% Prefer to be with young people Don't know of any programs Cannot afford it Too Don't want to be with people in programs Don't have a way of getting there sick/disabled to participate 33

Elder Abuse When asked about whether they are being treated badly, at least 98% (50,375) say they are not. More people making under $25K a year and those over the age of 75 say they are being treated badly. Almost no rural residents say they are treated badly on any issues. There are three examples: 1.7% (874) of all respondents say someone hurts me, but that percentage is 4.5% (532) of those making under $25K. 2.4% (1,234) say someone is supposed to help me with other things but is not doing it; the incidence of 75+ respondents (4.7%) (894) and those making under $25K (4.5%) (532) is higher. 1.4% (720) say someone is supposed to prepare my food but is not doing it, but, goes to 4.5% (532) of those making under $25K.

Greatest Hardship Faced by Others 30.00% 24.9% 25.00% 19.1% 18.7% 20.00% 15.6% 15.00% 8.4% 10.00% 4.9% 4.4% 5.00% 2.2% 1.8% 0.00% 35

Serious Challenges 25.00% 20.9% 20.00% 15.1%14.0%13.4%11.3%11.0%8.9%8.2%7.2% 6.8%6.2%5.5% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 2.4% 0.00% 4

Conclusions Biggest Unmet Need Challenges The following is the list of the biggest unmet need faced by older adults cited by respondents: Affordable housing (17.1%) (8,790) Home care assistance (13.7%) (7,042) Less than $25K (6.1%) (721) Home maintenance assistance (13.1%) (6,734) Less than $25K (21.2%) (2,506) Door-to-door transportation (11.0%) (5,654) Information about senior services (9.6%) (4,935) Food or nutritious food options (2.4%) (1,234) Other (10.3%) (5,295) Rural residents (23.5%) (2,174) Don t Know (22.9%) (11,771) 75 + (30.8%) (5,858) Urban residents (32.2%) (13,738)

Receiving All Benefits Eligible For 90.0% 81.1% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 12.0% 6.2% 10.0% 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: Medicare/health insurance counseling (17.0%) (1,573) Food pantry delivery (13.2%) (1,221) SNAP/Food stamps/Bridge card (11.3%) (1,046) Reverse mortgage counseling (9.4%) (870) Job training or employment assistance (7.5%) (694) Medication discounts (45.3%) (4,192) Veterans benefits (32.1%) (2,970) Tax preparation/filing assistance (32.1%) (2,970) Free cell phone (28.3%) (2,619) Medicare premium payment assistance (26.4%) (2,443) Property tax relief (26.4%) (2,443) Home energy weatherization (24.5%) (12,594) 4

Conclusions Information About Aging and Resources Ranked in order from most to least mentioned, the following are the list of services: Service agency such as an Area Agency on Aging (32.9%) (3,026) Newspapers (32.2%) (2,979) Magazines (26.7%) (2,471) Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) 24.3% (2,248) Radio (23.6%) (2,184) Flyers, posters, or billboards (19.9%) (1,841) Friends and family (68.8%) (6,366) Doctor or healthcare provider (62.7%) (5,802) Internet search (52.7%) (4,876) Mail delivered to my home (46.2%) (4,275) Library (37.7%) (3,488) Senior centers (33.6%) (3,109) TV (32.9%) (3,026) 4

Total Combined Income 90.0% 77.4% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% At/Below $25,365 Above $25,365 40.0% 30.0% 22.6% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% At/Below $25,365 Above $25,365 4

Trouble Paying Bills 70.0% 62.7% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 31.5% 30.0% 20.0% 5.8% 10.0% 0.0% Comfortably afford to pay bills Can afford to pay bills if I am careful about spending Have trouble paying bills no matter how careful 4

Conclusions Trouble Paying Bills Almost two-thirds (62.5%) (32,127) can comfortably afford to pay [their] bills with money left over. This is lower with those 75 + (56.1%) (10,670) and those making under $25K (40.9%) (4,836). It is higher, as you would expect, with those making $25K or more A third (31.5%) (16,192) can afford to pay [their] bills if [they] are careful about spending. This is higher with those making over $25K (39%) (15,436). It is also higher with those making under $25K (45.5%) (5,379). Five point eight percent have trouble paying bills not matter how careful. This climbs to 13.6% (1,608) of those making under $25K. 4

Personal Debt excluding home, auto 80.0% 72.9% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 9.2% 7.2% 6.8% 10.0% 3.8% 0.0% No Debt Less than $1,000 Between $1,000-$5,000 Between $5,000-$10,000 More than $10,000 4

Conclusions Personal Debt Almost three-fourths of the respondents (72.6%) (37,319) have no debt. But, by age there is a difference where 66.5% (21,535) of those under 75 have no debt compared to 84.4% (16,052) of those over 75. 4

Behind On Payment 14.0% 12.7% 11.4% 12.0% 10.0% 7.6% 8.0% 6.0% 5.1% 4.0% 2.5% 1.3% 2.0% 0.0% Credit cards Medical bills Property Rent Mortgages Utilities taxes 4

Conclusions Behind On Payment One in ten respondents (12.7%) (1,763) are behind on credit card bills This is higher with those making less than $25K (21.1%) (674) About one in ten respondents (11.4%) (1,582) are behind on medical bills This is more than doubled by those making less than $25K (26.3%) (840) Five point one percent are behind on rent This climbs to 11.8% (606) of those 75+ This is also much higher with those making less than $25K (21.1%) (674) Only two point five percent are behind on mortgage This rises to 11.8% (606) among those 75+ This is also higher among those in rural areas (7.7%) (192) 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 48