News Release

Report details varying employment conditions and needs of Utah’s family caregivers

April 4, 2024 (Salt Lake City) — Utah’s unpaid family caregivers are a heterogeneous group and provide care for friends and family members in various ways. Although many Utah caregivers balance the demands of work, family, and caregiving in ways they feel are acceptable, certain subsets of caregivers defined by age, gender, income, employment status, hours of caregiving, and living situation need more support.

A new Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute report details Utah’s caregivers’ workforce’s employment challenges and support needs. It highlights differentiation in caregiving experiences depending on age, gender, income, employment status, hours of caregiving, and living situation.

“Although Utah’s caregivers’ experiences and needs are varied, some common themes emerge,” said Samantha Ball, Senior Research Associate at the Gardner Institute and lead author of the report. “Caregivers are likely to look to family and friends for support. About half of all caregivers have asked for assistance from family and friends, and more than half of employed caregivers have made some work-related change due to caregiving.”

Key findings from the report include the following:

• Financial and Mental Stress – More than 4 in 10 caregivers report financial stress. Even more report mental health concerns. Both types of concern are reported at higher rates by caregivers who devote more time to caregiving.
• Employment – Most Utah caregivers work. Forty-nine percent of caregivers work full-time, 16% part-time, and a little over a third are not currently employed. Though most caregivers are satisfied with their current work level, some (both full-time and not currently working) would ideally prefer to work part-time.
• Hybrid/Virtual Work – Hybrid/virtual work and reduced hours are the most frequent work-related caregiving-related changes. Two in five employed caregivers (40%) made a work-related change due to caregiving. Of the two most common changes, lower-income caregivers often reduced their work hours while higher-earning caregivers shifted to remote or hybrid work (See Figure 50).
• Family Support – Utah caregivers rely on friends and family for support. More than half of caregivers (52%) turned to family or friends for help with caregiving, while only 11% paid for assistance or a home health service. Additionally, 11% found support through government or community programs. Forty-two percent indicate that financial support through a government caregiver program would be helpful.

“The Family Caregiving Collaborative is pleased to sponsor another Kem C. Gardner report on Utah’s family caregivers,” said Lee Ellington, professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing and director of the Family Caregiving Collaborative. “This report emphasizes employed individuals while caring for a family member or friend. Many employed caregivers face challenges and a desire to make work changes due to their caregiving situation. This has important implications for Utah employers as caregivers represent a significant workforce whose contributions may be tested as Utah’s need for more family caregivers increases.”

The report is now available online.

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