Caregiving Advocacy

Providing care to a loved one can be mentally, physically, and emotionally challenging. Policymakers should make finding and providing care easier for family caregivers and better incorporate and recognize family caregivers and their vital role as part of Utah’s long-term care network.

Family caregivers in Utah provide an estimated 320 million hours of care for older parents, spouses, and other loved ones each year. In 2021, 340,000 Utahns provided unpaid family care to the tune of $5.5 billion.

By 2034, adults age 65 and older will outnumber children under the age of 18 for the first time. The share of available family caregivers is projected to continue shrinking relative to the number of older adults who may need long-term care. In addition, family caregivers will continue to face the dual demands of employment and caregiving responsibilities, which often include caring for both an older adult and children simultaneously. 

AARP is continuing to push for policy changes that will give family caregivers the financial, emotional and social support they need to care for family and friends, as well as a flexible system that supports our elders in aging in place. 


More AARP Resources

• Family caregiving resources in Utah can be found at aarp.org/utahresources
• For caregiver resources and more on federal caregiving advocacy, visit aarp.org/caregiving

To read the full report and methodology on Family Caregiving, visit  aarp.org/valuing