DES MOINES (SPECIAL) Strengthening enforcement of quality standards for nursing homes is a priority concern for Iowans 50 and older, according to a new AARP survey.

“Eighty percent of Iowa adults over 50 support strengthening enforcement of quality standards in nursing homes, and more than 8 in 10 (83%) also support for allowing funds now only used for nursing home care to also be used for long-term care services that help people stay in their own homes or communities,” said AARP Iowa State Director Bruce Koeppl.

Koeppl said these latest findings echo the fall 2010 AARP survey that showed overwhelming support for long-term care issues, on par with the long-established priorities of transportation and K-12 education. “Iowans have come to grips with the fact that long-term care has, or will soon, impact their lives and their families, and they want to ensure that Iowa takes the right steps to meet the state’s needs. With tight state budgets, our leaders need to know that Iowans want the state to strengthen Iowa’s long-term care system, especially regarding quality oversight and choice,” Koeppl said.

The Iowa survey was conducted by random digit dial telephone interviews with 402 Iowans age 50+ between Jan. 5-25, 2011. It is part of a national effort by AARP, the associations for Americans age 50 and over with more than 377,000 Iowa members, to gather information on the needs, interests and concerns of 50+ citizens.

“We’re working to make sure that when it comes to setting priorities, legislators know the facts support strengthening oversight of nursing homes in our state. Older Iowans recognize tough times will require tough decisions. ”

Koeppl said AARP has a history of working to help improve the lives of Iowans age 50+ and their families. He points to AARP’s recent advocacy work to improve protections for Iowans in Assisted Living Programs, to increase the state’s number of long-term care ombudsmen and protect funding for home and community based services (such as respite care, chore services and meal delivery) to help Iowans live in their homes longer.

“We hope these survey findings provide Iowans and our state leaders with valuable insights about the concerns of Iowans 50+ that will help inform their decision making on key state priorities, particularly as the General Assembly is moving into the phase of crafting our state’s budget,” Koeppl said.

The landmark AARP survey, “Voices of 50+ Iowa: Dreams & Challenges,” explores a broad range of topics from long-term care and health care to retirement and financial security to personal hopes and dreams. Highlights of opinions of Iowans 50+ on the issues include:

Health and Health Care. Health care is at the forefront for Iowans. Four in 10 Iowans say that health care is the single most important challenge facing them. Nine in 10 say adequate health insurance is extremely or very important (91%). More than 8 in 10 say that receiving Medicare when needed (87%) is extremely or very important. Almost 8 in 10 (77%) are worried that public assistance benefits programs such as Medicaid may not be there if needed. Almost all Iowa adults agree that staying healthy – both physically and mentally is extremely or very important to them right now.

Long-Term Care. Long-term care needs are top-of-mind. One in nine believes that they or a member of their family is extremely likely to need some type of long-term care in the next five years. This translates into nearly 111,000 Iowans who may need this type of care in the near future. In addition, more than 8 in 10 say it is extremely or very important (81%) to quality long-term care is available, and 84% say it is extremely or very important to be able to stay in their own home as they age.

Finances and the Economy. Over a third of Iowa adults believe that economic issues are the most important issue facing mid-life and older Iowans. More than half (56%) are worried about maintaining their finances and lifestyle in retirement, and about one in five are extremely or very worried about providing financial support to family members and planning and saving for their future.

Social Security and Retirement. Iowans are concerned about having enough resources in retirement. More than 8 in 10 say it is extremely or very important to have say that receiving Social Security when needed (86%) is extremely or very important. Iowa has 574,315 Social Security beneficiaries, with more than 20 percent of recipients (21.4%) relying on Social Security for 90% or more of their income. In addition, more than a third of Iowans age 55-64 (33.6%) currently do not have workplace retirement benefits.

Future Forecast. Iowans are pessimistic about the future for the next generation. Almost seven in 10 (69%) say they are not confident that life for their children’s generation will be better than their own.

Travel Dreams. When Iowans think about things they’d always like to do, just over half of respondents (51%) say a major vacation or travel to a place they’ve always wanted to go is at the top of their list. Spending time enjoying a hobby or interest or developing a talent comes in second place with 20% reporting that’s what they’d most like to do.

Cell Phones and the Internet. Iowans 50+ are connected. Sixty-two percent regularly use the Internet for email, and 75% use a cell phone.

Demographics of the Voices of 50+ Iowa survey show the majority of respondents are non-AARP members (60%) and skew slightly younger with 46% between ages 50-59 and 38 percent between 60-74. They are roughly evenly divided among males (49%) and females (51%) and reflect Iowa’s political and ideological diversity with 35% identifying themselves as registered Independent, 30% Democrat and 24% Republican. Almost half, 45% characterize their political views as conservative, with 26% saying they are moderates and 19% considering themselves liberal. The survey has a sampling error of 1 5 percent.

Copies of the executive summary and annotated questionnaire of Voices of 50+ Iowa: Dreams & Challenge 2011 are available at www.aarp.org/ia, or by request from the AARP Iowa State Office, 600 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50309, email ia@aarp.org, phone toll-free 1-866-554-5378.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands