Poll: Most Californians Unprepared for Costs of Long-Term Care

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California voters, regardless of their political party affiliation or income level, are worried about and feel unprepared for the costs of long-term care, according to a new poll from The SCAN Foundation and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Fifty-eight percent of registered California voters age 40 and older say they feel unprepared to pay for services if they could no longer care for themselves independently and needed long-term care.

Two-thirds — including majorities across political parties — say they are worried about long-term care costs, as are 75 percent of those who are currently providing help to family or friends and 74 percent those who anticipate providing help in the near future. Concern also spans all income levels, including 63 percent of those reporting annual incomes of $75,000 and above.

The poll, conducted by Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint, surveyed more than 1,200 registered California voters age 40 and older in English and Spanish about long-term care issues.

The poll sought to better understand long-term care issues facing mid-age and older voters, given that the number of older Californians is projected to nearly double to 8 million in the next 25 years.
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