New Yorkers of Asian American and Pacific Island, or AAPI, heritage expressed concern over the quality of nursing home care in a recent survey by AARP.
AARP conducted a telephone survey in the fall of 2023 on family caregiving and long-term care of New York residents aged 40 who identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. The 214 survey participants were also registered to vote, and are caring for aging loved ones or have done so in the past.
“The AAPI community is deeply concerned over the quality of care inside nursing homes and wish to receive care at home with caregiver assistance,” State Assemblymember Ron Kim stated, according to a press release.
Three-quarters of the AAPI respondents said, if they or a family member needed help, they would prefer to receive long-term care at home with caregiver assistance over nursing home care or assisted living. Eleven percent of the respondents said they would prefer to receive care in an assisted living community or group home (11%), and just 5% said they would prefer to receive care in a nursing home.
The AAPI voters surveyed expressed support for more funding for New York’s ombudsman program to ensure that all nursing homes receive visits by ombudsmen on a regular basis.
The responsibility of the ombudsman is to advocate on behalf of residents to assure rights are not violated; mediate disputes between residents/family members and staff; educate residents, families, facility staff and the greater community about issues in long-term care and specific issues they are experiencing in facilities; and refer unresolved complaints to the New York State Department of Health or other appropriate agencies.
“This survey shows that the final state budget must increase funding to provide more oversight by ombudsmen in our nursing homes,” AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel said.
The majority of respondents (85%) also said they support additional funding for home- and community-based services.
“Caregivers should not have to worry about the safety and well-being of their loved ones in nursing homes in this state,” Finkel said. “Our state representatives must do better to ensure all older New Yorkers and their caregivers get the support they need, whether they are in facilities or being cared for at home.”
