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Most Utahns want employers to take care of caregivers.
A new survey shows 83 percent of Utah adults believe companies should be required to provide sick leave for employees who are unpaid family caregivers, and 67 percent think it should be paid leave.
The survey of 800 registered voters age 45 and older was conducted by AARP Utah.
The poll mostly explores the experiences of family caregivers, those who take care of disabled or older relatives and friends. AARP says 382,000 Utahns provide such unpaid care.
According to the survey, 54 percent of those surveyed have been or are now family caregivers, and 56 percent of them work full or part time while still providing care. The typical caregiver in the state is a woman over 55 years old. More than half, 59 percent, said they feel emotionally stressed. And 27 percent said they feel financially stressed. The care they give ranges from household chores to medication management.
In a news release, AARP said the survey lends support for public policy that eases the financial and emotional burden faced by caregivers, such as an income tax credit for unpaid caregivers. Eighty-four percent of those surveyed support such credits, AARP said.
"We hope that this survey underscores the need for the state to examine ways to make the lives of these unsung heroes easier so that people needing care can stay at home as long as possible," said AARP Utah President Donna Russell.
Last year, AARP released a study showing Utah is the worst among the states for its support of family caregivers. That ranking was based on indicators such as legal supports and stress levels.
A copy of the survey findings is posted at http://bit.ly/1IdKlVV.