Family Circle/Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey on Health Care & Other Elder Care Issues

As part of a joint project with Family Circle, this national survey examines the knowledge and experiences of 806 adults with a parent 65 and older in an effort to understand their role in helping their aging parents. The survey found that half check in on their parent with regular phone calls or visits, over four in ten visit or see their parent at least once a week, and more than a quarter help their parent with medical and financial decisions. Yet, despite their role in helping with health care and financial matters, many lack basic facts and information needed to advise on these issues. For example, 43% say they feel they know next to nothing or nothing at all about health insurance to help their parent and 45% of those who say their parent has a regular doctor say they do not know who that doctor or health care provider is. The survey also found a lack of knowledge about Medicare, the primary health insurance program for those 65 and older, and about Medicaid, which is an important source of supplemental and long-term care coverage for low-income seniors.