Method

Stakeholder interviews: We interviewed an array of leading advocates in adult care and social services. This includes representatives from Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), local Area Agencies on Aging, community-based organizations, SEIU representatives, and Tribal Government officials. Our 21 interviews helped us to understand the history of the Washington Cares Fund, the current long-term care administration within the state, and about the various communities that may be at risk of not being able to access the fund. Together, these interviews set the foundation for recruiting Washingtonians to further discuss the new long-term care fund and their overall view on long-term care.

Survey distribution: During our research period, we distributed an online survey to learn generally how Washingtonians are preparing for retirement (or not), who they rely on when they need help, and discover more about their thoughts on long-term care. We posted this survey in The Stand, connecting us to many union workers. The survey was also posted in English on Craigslist for Seattle, Spokane, Tri-States and Yakima, and it was in Spanish on Craigslist Seattle and Yakima. From those surveys, there were over 120 usable responses.

Interviews with potential beneficiaries: From the survey, we selected 17 participants for in-depth interviews. Each individual represented a cross-section of backgrounds including age, gender, race, marital status and income levels; and they provided different perspectives on their long-term care planning.

Regular communication with our SEIU partners: On a weekly basis, our SEIU partners and research team met to review research findings gleaned from our interviews with stakeholders and potential beneficiaries. These sessions were immensely helpful for us.

Gaps in our research: The pandemic limited our ability to connect with individuals in person. Also, we were unable to connect with as many individuals as we would have liked, especially considering many working Washingtonians do not have easy access to the internet.

A 2018 survey by the city of Seattle found that over 20 percent of households in Seattle with income less than $25,000 annually did not have internet access. A recent New York Times article stated that 42 million Americans live in areas where they cannot access broadband internet—particularly in rural communities, of which there are many in the state of Washington. We want to highlight that our research was digital-first and that this type of research is limited in the perspectives that it captures. Therefore, we recommend that future research teams broaden their outreach to better connect with those who are less digitally connected. With more time and with less social distancing, a research team might consider partnering with community-based organizations and conducting in-person intercepts.