Despite having the highest number of residents aged 65 and older of any state, Florida is near the bottom of a new AARP survey on the state of U.S. senior citizens.
The Sunshine State is 43rd in terms of long-term services and support provided for older and disabled residents, according to the survey. It also reports that caregivers for seniors and people with physical disabilities have trouble finding support.
The survey is part of a nationwide series of AARP scorecards issued for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Factors studied include affordability and access of care, quality of life, support for family caregivers and length of nursing home stays.
AARP Florida state director Jeff Johnson said the survey raised serious concerns about the quality of institutional care for older Floridians. He joined Melissa Ross to discuss the results and why AARP is pushing state legislators to back programs which support family caregivers and help seniors live at home.
You can follow Melissa Ross on Twitter @MelissainJax.
