Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Every day, thousands of Utahns are quietly caring for loved ones. Like Laura Keirsted. She was 55 years old when her husband Chuck’s cancer started getting worse. She also balanced full-time work, making caregiving even tougher. “You’re getting someone up in the morning. You’re getting them dressed. You’re getting them fed. You’re brushing their teeth. It’s almost like you’re caring for a younger child,” Keirsted said. Caring for her husband was rewarding, she said, but also overwhelming. “I was really torn what to do. Do I quit this job? Knowing after he passed I had to work,” said Keirsted. She battled anxiety, depression and questioned herself. And Laura’s story is all too familiar.
Caregiver count in Utah
Alan Ormsby, state director of AARP says that in Utah alone, there are about 697,000 people that are providing care. The average age of caregivers is under 50 years old. “Twenty-five percent of caregivers provide full-time care 40 hours a week or more. The financial strain can be overwhelming.” According to AARP:
- 80% of caregivers pay out of their own pockets to help meet their loved ones’ needs, averaging $7,200 each year, or 25% of their income.
- In Utah, 36% of family caregivers report financial setbacks— taking on debt, draining savings, or struggling to afford basics like food and medicine.
- 63% of Utah’s caregivers are also juggling full- or part-time jobs. Many must reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely due to caregiving responsibilities, jeopardizing their own long-term financial security.
“So, not only are they exiting the workforce but they’re also on average putting in $7,200 of their own money,” said Ormsby. The demands can easily lead to exhaustion and burnout. “I think one of the most important things is don’t do this alone,” said Ormsby. Family support helped alleviate the pressure for Keirsted. “I have a nephew who at the time was a CNA and he stayed with Chuck while I worked,” Keirsted said. Life after caregiving can even feel uncertain. Laura now helps others navigate that next chapter, encouraging self-care and reminding them to give themselves grace. "There’s no manual on caregiving. You do what you can,” said Keirsted. There are financial considerations too. From settling medical bills to updating retirement plans. AARP offers more information at their website. More from our Positively 50+ series.
