Topics At A Glance: The Elderly

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Which types of discrimination would you say you have faced (from a potential employer)? Discrimination based on age, race, gender, the fact that you're currently unemployed, or something else?

%
38		Age
26		Race
10		Gender
10		The fact that you're currently unemployed
5		Disability/Health problems (Vol.)
5		Weight/Personal appearance (Vol.)
3		Criminal record (Vol.)
2		Family status (pregnancy, being a parent) (Vol.)
1		Religious background (Vol.)
22		Something else
1		Don't know

Note: Asked of Long-term unemployed/Long-term underemployed and they said they have personally been discriminated against by a potential employer (33% of long-term unemployed/long-term underemployed)
Kaiser/NPR Long-Term Unemployed Survey, [Oct, 2011]

Based on what you have experienced or observed, do you think older workers face age discrimination in the workplace today?

Note: Those employed/temporarily unemployed
AARP Closer Look Survey, [Nov, 2010]

Based on what you have experienced or observed, do you think older workers face age discrimination in the workplace today?

Note: Those employed or temporarily unemployed
AARP Closer Look Survey, [Jun, 2010]

Government Responsibility for the Elderly

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Who do you think should be mainly responsible for making sure that retired older adults have at least a minimum standard of living?...The government, individuals and their families

Pew Social Trends Poll, [Sep, 2011]

If individuals and their families cannot do this, should the government be responsible for making sure that retired older adults have at least a minimum standard of living, or not?

Note: Asked of those who said individuals and their families should mainly be responsible for making sure that retired older adults have at least a minimum standard of living (40%)
Pew Social Trends Poll, [Sep, 2011]

(In recent years, many governments have been increasingly concerned about rising health care costs. As a way of reducing costs, some of them have made decisions limiting what prescription drugs or medial treatments would be paid for. I am going to read you a few examples and ask you what you think about those decisions.)...In one/another country, two drugs were available to treat a debilitating condition in the elderly. One of the two drugs costs about 100 times as much as the other. The more expensive one has been tested and shown to be effective for people with this condition. The less expensive one has not been tested in research studies for treating this illness. However, many physicians who specialize in this condition use the lower-cost drug because they believe it is safe and effective for their patients. This is often referred to as using an off-label drug. The government in that country decided to pay for only the less expensive drug even though it has not been tested for this illness. If this decision only to pay for the less expensive drug that has not been tested for this illness were made in the US (United States), would you approve or disapprove of the decision?

Note: Asked of Form D half sample
Harvard School of Public Health/Alliance for Aging Research Four-Country Comparative Effectiveness Decision-making and Patient Access Survey, [Jun, 2011]

Family Responsibility and Care for the Elderly

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(As you may know, some provisions of the 2010 health care law have already gone into effect. Please tell me whether you or your immediate family have personally benefited from each of the following provisions.)...Reduces the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, commonly called the donut hole, or not?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Mar, 2012]

(I'm going to read you a list of things that some people worry about and others do not. I'd like you to tell me how worried you are about each of the following things.) Are you worried about...having responsibility for an aging family member, or not? (If Worried, ask:) Is that very or somewhat worried? (If Not worried, ask:) Is that not too worried or not worried at all?

Washington Post/Kaiser Family Foundation Poll, [Oct, 2011]

At some point in your life do you think you will be responsible for caring for an aging parent or another elderly person, or not?

Pew Social Trends Poll, [Sep, 2011]

Medicare and Prescriptions

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(I'm going to read you a list of specific elements or parts of the law. For each, please tell me whether you think it is included in the (2010) health reform law, or not.) To the best of your knowledge, would you say the health reform law does or does not...close the Medicare prescription drug 'doughnut hole' or coverage gap so seniors will no longer be required to pay the full cost of their medications when they reach the gap?

Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, [Apr, 2012]

(Next, I'm going to read you several elements of the (2010) health reform law. As I read each one, please tell me whether you feel very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable about it.)...The law gradually closes the Medicare prescription drug 'doughnut hold' or coverage gap so seniors will no longer be required to pay the full cost of their medications when they reach the gap.

Note: Asked of For B half sample
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, [Apr, 2012]

Previously, seniors had to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs once they reached the Medicare prescription drug coverage limit. Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the 2010 health care law that offers discounts to reduce this Medicare prescription drug coverage gap, commonly called the donut hole?

CBS News/New York Times Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

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(Now I am going to read you some of the things name of House incumbent and the Republicans in Congress are saying about their budget plan. After I read each statement, please tell me how convincing a reason it is to support name of House incumbent and the Republicans in Congress--is it a very convincing reason, a somewhat convincing reason, just a little convincing, or not at all a convincing reason to support name of House incumbent and the Republicans in Congress?)...Our plan repeals (Barack) Obama's trillion dollar government takeover of the health care system and gets bureaucrats out of medical practice. Obamacare will drive up health care costs and bankrupt Medicare, while our plan ensures the long-term survival of Medicare and premium support for low-income beneficiaries.

Sample: Likely voters in Republican/Democratic held battleground districts
Note: Asked of Form C half sample of those in Republican districts
Democracy Corps/Women's Voices. Women Vote Poll, [Mar, 2012]

Which of the following government programs is the primary source of health insurance for low-income people who need nursing home care or other long-term care services...Medicare, Medicaid or some other program?

Kaiser Health Tracking Poll, [May, 2011]

Let me read you some more information about the House Republicans' (April 2011) budget proposal--the plan cuts $6.2 trillion dollars below the president's (Barack Obama's) budget in order to reduce the deficit and balance the budget within 10 years. The plan cuts domestic spending in the coming year by 72 billion dollars and freezes spending for five years. It repeals the new health care reform law and makes major long-term cuts in spending for Medicaid and Medicare. Starting in 2022, instead of receiving healthcare through Medicare, new retirees will buy subsidized insurance from private health insurance companies. It reduces the top corporate and top income tax rate to 25 percent. Now that you've heard more information, do you favor or oppose this proposal? (If Favor/Oppose, ask:) (Is that strongly or somewhat favor/oppose?)

Sample: National likely voters
First Focus Quiet Voice Survey, [Apr, 2011]

Work and Retirement Issues

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Thinking about the economic challenges that the nation faces, which of the following concerns you more--a lack of job opportunities for young adults who are just starting out, or a lack of job opportunities for older adults who need to work?

Pew Social Trends Poll, [Sep, 2011]

Democrats say that it is very important to cut the deficit, but oppose these cuts as much too large, too fast and with the wrong priorities. Let me read you some statements the Democrats are making about the budget cuts. After each statement, tell me whether it makes you much less likely to support these cuts, somewhat less likely, just a little less likely, no less likely or more likely to support these budget cuts....In these tough economic times, these budget cuts hit those who can least afford it--working families with children and the elderly. It slashes help with childcare and Head Start, cuts scholarships to college, and cuts health care benefits for seniors.

Sample: National likely voters
Note: Asked of Form A half sample
Democracy Corps Poll, [Feb, 2011]

As they reach retirement age, do you think Baby Boomers, those between the ages of 46 and 64, should...be encouraged to stop working and retire or be encouraged to continue to work?

Home Instead Senior Care The New Reality of 2011: Baby Boomers at 65 Survey, [Dec, 2010]

From the Archives

How confident are you that the Medicare system will continue to provide benefits of at least equal value to the benefits received by retirees today? Would you say that you are very confident, somewhat confident, not too confident, or not at all confident?

Retirement Confidence Survey 2008, [Jan, 2008]

How much should be paid monthly to a husband and wife (for Government old age pension for needy persons)?

Note: Asked of those who favor this pension (89%)
Gallup Poll, [Dec, 1935]

(Since enrolling in your new (Medicare) prescription drug plan, have you done any of the following?)...Took less than the prescribed dose of a medication

Note: Asked of those age 65 and over who are enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan
AARP Prescription for the Future Survey, [Nov, 2008]

Topics At A Glance: The Elderly

Treatment of the Elderly

Government Responsibility for the Elderly

Family Responsibility and Care for the Elderly

Medicare and Prescriptions

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

Work and Retirement Issues

From the Archives