St. Cloud survey: Child, elder care pose challenge for many

May 16--Eighty-four percent of respondents in a St. Cloud survey this year have struggled to get care for a family member or themselves.

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota partnered with other groups to survey homes in St. Cloud and study shared problems with family care. They released their findings Monday.

Volunteers and paid canvassers talked with 400 registered voters across the political spectrum, according to the study's methodology statement.

A shortage of child care options is a known problem that affects families and businesses across the state. Officials have batted around potential solutions, including funding and policy proposals. Problems with elder care, and unresolved abuse complaints, were hot topics in the Legislative session as well.

RELATED: Minnesota's 'quiet crisis' in child care: 'There's not a silver bullet'

The new St. Cloud survey looks at child care, elder care and health care. Here's how that 84 percent of family care struggles breaks down, according to the report:

* 23 percent struggle with child care,

* 26 percent struggle with elder care,

* 24 percent struggle with health care,

* 10 percent struggle to care for someone with a disability,

* 1 percent struggle with another care issue.

"Since the Affordable Care Act was passed, the debate around care in the United States and here in St. Cloud has been focused on health insurance. Meanwhile, the issue of family care in general has been largely ignored," states the report. "Many of our families are struggling in silence, ashamed to admit that we are coming up short."

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Canvassers also asked what changes would make a difference for these families. Three percent wants paid family leave, 11 percent said free eldercare would be helpful, 13 percent said free or reduced-price child care would make a difference and 34 percent of respondents referenced a need for affordable health care.

SEIU is a union of healthcare and long-term care workers that advocates for affordable health care. It partnered with TakeAction Minnesota and faith-based group ISAIAHon the study. Mothers, advocates and a DFL candidate for state House shared the findings of the report on Monday afternoon.

The groups signed up 55 percent of the survey respondents who wanted to "support our efforts to push for bold solutions to the issues we face in family care."

"Most families in St. Cloud are struggling to provide the care they know their loved ones need," the study concluded. "St. Cloud voters want to see politicians take care issues seriously this November."

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