Surveys

This scan was designed to understand facilitators and barriers to self-direction in behavioral health, ascertain interest among stakeholders, adapt the model and outcome measures to better fit the needs of behavioral health consumers, and develop recommendations to inform next steps. The scan was a joint effort conducted over 18 months (Sept 2011-Feb 2013) by researchers from the National Center for Participant-Directed Services, Human Services Research Institute, and University of Maryland.

A representative sample of 1,019 adults ages 40 or older were interviewed regarding their experiences and beliefs about their need for long-term care services, what such care would cost, and how such issues fit into their concerns about growing older. This report outlines survey findings. Findings include, 58% of participants underestimate the cost of nursing homes, 41% have discussed long-term care preferences with family and 51% support a government sponsored long-term care insurance program.

Using data from the National Household Travel Survey, the Small Urban and Rural Transit Center has released a report that examines the travel behavior and mobility of older adults, people with disabilities, individuals in low-income households, and people in rural areas. NHTS data on driving, mode choice, use of public transportation, and issues and concerns regarding transportation are highlighted.

As 2014 approaches, many states are preparing for implementation of the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) law, including a new streamlined Medicaid enrollment system and, at states' option, the expansion of Medicaid. It has been found that nearly all states are pressing forward with information technology and process improvements to develop faster, streamlined Medicaid enrollment systems, whether or not the state elects to expand Medicaid coverage under the law.

This report serves as a follow-up to the 1995 Institute on Medicine (IOM) report which argued for an ombudsman program to address the quality of care in long-term institutional settings. This study investigates the role and effectiveness of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (LTCOPs) in improving care. Surveys with all states/territories reveal new findings on the structure of the program in different states as well as their own perceived effectiveness. Comprehensive data and analysis.

The Older Americans Act of 1965 created the National Aging Network with many states adopting Area Agencies on Aging at the local level. This brief is a summary of two surveys regarding states’ monitoring practices of their Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and states’ spending rules for their AAAs. All states with Area Agencies on Aging which were surveyed reported that they conduct some monitoring, and most differed in their rules concerning excess funds.

The survey focused only on the Personal Assistant Workforce employed through the Center’s for Independent Living (CIL) Fiscal Intermediary (FI) programs at Disability Action Center Northwest (DACNW), Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC), and Living Independently For Everyone (LIFE). The major focus of this survey was to gather ideas and responses from personal assistants on ways to improve the retention rate in the FI In-home Personal Assistant (PAS) Workforce.

The goals of the survey, which was sent to direct-care workers serving participants using the MI Choice SD option, were to: collect baseline demographic information on workers in the SD option; understand the motivations, job satisfaction, and training needs of workers providing services and supports to self-directed participants; and,identify strategies to strengthen and support the recruitment and retention of workers in self-directed programs.

Review the data products and publications from a new survey about Residential Care Facilities. Included are residential care facilities; assisted living residences; board & care homes; congregate care; enriched housing programs; homes for the aged; personal care homes; & shared housing establishments that are licensed, registered, listed, certified, or otherwise regulated by a state. NSRCF is designed to produce national estimates of facilities and their residents.

This survey aimed to increase the understanding of the extent to which ADRCs have worked to ensure their services are LGBT-friendly, engaged in special LGBT outreach activities, and worked to identify community organizations and service providers in their resource databases that are LGBT-friendly. Thirty organizations from at least 15 different states responded. From the responses it can be seen that ADRCs are still at the beginnings of specifically serving LGBT individuals.