AUSTIN, Texas — For more than 35 years, Michael Larssen worked as a senior executive in the mortgage and financial services industry.
But that changed when his wife, Tracy, was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer.
With the couple raising their youngest sons, 9-year-old Larz and 3-year-old Lordon, Larssen stepped away from his career and became a full-time caregiver.
“We don’t have what we used to have, we used to have houses and cars and just, I’m not crying about the things,” Larssen said. “If you had money before and now you’re trying to get help, it’s harder, just is.”
Larssen’s wife has battled cancer twice, and he said it wiped out their life savings and left their family without resources.
“Today, I asked somebody if I could do extra money for lawn work. I’m not proud to do anything,” Larssen said. “I have my kids, but it’s hard to balance it.”
Larssen’s story is just one of many. Suzanne Anderson leads AGE of Central Texas, which serves senior adults and family caregivers in Central Texas.
“It’s a very silent crisis for our country,” Anderson said. “About 22 % of our population are currently caregiving while trying to work. Of that group, about 30% are going to have to quit their job.”
According to a report from AARP, the care that millions of unpaid family caregivers provide is valued at $600 billion.
Anderson says there needs to be solutions, whether it is finding ways to keep people employed or making caregiving more affordable.
“So that’s part of – I think – [what] is changing the conversation around aging and caregiving in order for us to better prepare for that journey,” Anderson said.
“They got to act like rock stars and be so strong for everyone around them when they’re really no,” Larssen said. “You know, there’s a lot going on and they need support too.”
AGE of Central Texas offers resources on family caregiving, whether it is support groups or classes. More information can be found at this link.