The Sandwich Generation: Caring for Parents and Children

The Sandwich Generation: Is caregiving eating up all of your time and energy?

The term Sandwich Generation was coined in the 1990’s, but it’s even more relevant today. It refers to the generation of middle-aged individuals who’re effectively ‘sandwiched’ between the obligation of caring for their aging parents — who may be ill, unable to perform various tasks or in need of financial support — and children, who require financial, physical and emotional support. The trends of increasing lifespans and having children at an older age have contributed to the sandwich generation phenomenon. Are you being sandwiched?

According to a 2013 Pew Research Report, Nearly half (47 percent) of adults in their 40’s and 50’s have a parent age 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child (age 18 or older), and about one-in-seven middle-aged adults (15 percent) is providing financial support to both an aging parent and a child. In 2005, the sandwich generation was largely made up of Baby Boomers. But today, Baby Boomers are moving out of this segment.

The obligations placed on the sandwich generation demand considerable time and money. With the added pressures of managing one’s own career and personal issues, as well as the need to contribute to one’s own retirement, the individuals of the sandwich generation are under significant stress. In some cases, they have to postpone their own retirements because of the added financial obligations. Also, some members of the sandwich generation are further overextended by caring for their grandchildren.

 

It’s not easy being squeezed

Currently, the typical American Sandwich Generation Caregiver is in their mid-forties, married, employed and cares for her family and an elderly parent, usually their mother. With this said, it’s important to note that there are more and more men that find themselves in a caregiving role and even squeezed in between the generations. It’s also important to note that there’s an ever-growing segment of family and sandwich generation caregivers that live in rural communities. Unlike caregivers living in urban and industrial areas, rural caregivers may find themselves removed from readily available and professionally organized supportive services and care networks. They may also find themselves not only carrying the normal burdens that are associated with providing care for a loved one, but also they may be faced with challenges such as geographic barriers to resources and isolation from other caregivers, family members or informal supports. This lack of service availability, care networks, and isolation from other caregivers and family members can add to caregiver stress, burnout, and depression.

 

5 Tips for Caregivers Feeling the Squeeze

1. Be Kind to Yourself
   This is the first step in dealing with caregiver stress, anger, or frustration. Be sure to ask for and accept help. Every task that’s removed from your full plate will give you a few more minutes of you time every day.

 

2. Take Spontaneous Breaks
   Rest whenever you can. If only to sit and be by yourself for ten or 15 minutes. Exercise of any kind can also help to release some of the frustration that caregivers experience. So can meditation and prayer.

 

3. Eat Well
   It’s easy to rely on junk food and vending machines, but avoid doing so. Also avoid using alcohol or drugs (including caffeine) to get through the day. These will only complicate matters and add to stress, anger, and frustration. Eating healthy food will give you the physical and mental stamina you need to deal with whatever is thrown your way during the day.

 

4. Sleep Whenever You Can
   Many of us struggle with sleep even without a life crisis. If you have an unexpected two-hour break in the middle of an afternoon, take a nap and refuse to feel guilty about it. Sleep, like healthy food, helps all of us handle adversity better.

 

5. Consider Counseling
   There are counselors who specialize in anger, the stress of caregiving, and grief. If you need help in getting through a stressful time in life, you are not weak or unusual. It helps to talk to someone who is impartial to your situation yet understands what you’re going through.

 

Alternatives for Seniors can help. Alternatives for Seniors is a print and online directory that specifically caters to the housing and personal care concerns of senior citizens and their families since 1992. Call our Senior Specialists at (888) WE-ASSIST (888-932-7747) or visit the Alternatives for Seniors website to begin searching for the perfect home and care for yourself or your loved ones. Also, be sure to join our Facebook community and follow us on Twitter.

 

BLOG Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014
Writer: Ryan Allen