Providing ongoing care for two different generations is highly stressful. The sandwich generation, as these caregivers are known, feel overwhelmed by fulfilling the dramatically different needs of their children and their elderly parents. Balancing caregiving responsibilities is essential to well-being.
Multi-generational family caregivers are typically middle-aged parents simultaneously supporting their young or adult children as well as one or both of their aging parents in need of care. The number of sandwich caregivers continues to grow daily, with one in ten American parents fitting this demographic.
Since many families are choosing to have children later in life, they find themselves juggling caregiving responsibilities for two households: their own and those of their elderly parents. Nearly half of adults in their 40s or 50s are raising a juvenile and have a parent who is 65 or older.
While adults in their 40s or 50s fit into the traditional sandwich generation category, older adults fit into another. People between 50 and 60 years old, who are wedged between caring for adult children, aging parents, and possibly grandchildren, are known as the club sandwich generation.
The stress levels for these sandwich caregivers can skyrocket as they attempt to meet competing needs. Many sandwich caregivers work full-time, making dual caregiving an even more complex task. The extra responsibility can overwhelm even the most dedicated family caregiver.
Self-care is also sacrificed by many sandwich caregivers, as they are pressed for time. These individuals put their own needs aside to serve their loved ones. They may skip their own doctors’ appointments or other important dates, which can be detrimental to their well-being in the long run.
Financial strains are also common for sandwich caregivers. They make financial sacrifices in order to fulfill caregiving responsibilities. Some sacrifices include working fewer hours, decreasing personal expenses, and leaving the workforce entirely to focus on caring for loved ones full-time.
1. Utilize FMLA
Balancing care can be achieved by following a few helpful tips. Working adults can explore the Family and Medical Leave Act. Some employers offer flexible work schedules, childcare, or senior care benefits. Eligible employees may consider taking job-protected leave per the FMLA.
2. Share Care Responsibilities
The stress load for a sandwich caregiver is high, especially when they attempt to handle caregiving single-handedly. Sharing care duties, however, can significantly decrease the amount of everyday stress that can worsen the physical and emotional health of a sandwich caregiver.
Ask a spouse to pitch in every week to prepare meals or perform household chores. Do not be afraid to include the kids in smaller but necessary tasks that would benefit an aging parent. Sibling, neighbors, and close friends are also sources of much-needed assistance.
3. Rearrange the Household
Sandwich caregivers should deliberate moving their independent, adult children out of their home, an act that encourages them to become self-sufficient. Then move elderly parents into the home, which significantly reduces housing expenses and makes it easier to provide hands-on care.
4. Communicate
Problems are certain to arise during the course of caring for multiple generations. Alleviate the severity of the issues that emerge by keeping communication lines open. Speak openly to care recipients, listen to their responses, and work together to solve problems.
5. Implement Technology
Aging parents, especially those who are frail or have fallen, may require constant monitoring. Sandwich caregivers can reduce their anxiety about their parents’ safety by providing them with a medical alert system or similar technology. These devices monitor seniors 24 hours a day.
A range of online tools help sandwich caregivers keep records of elderly parents’ medications, pharmacy details, and the locations of doctors’ offices. Additional technology includes medication reminder apps and medication monitoring systems, both of which can help ensure medication compliance.
6. Practice Self-Care
A daily self-care routine is critical to achieving balance when juggling caregiving responsibilities for multiple generations. Take time each day to take walks, stretch, listen to music, breathe deeply, or watch a comedy—simple activities that serve as distractions to help manage stress.
Do not neglect practical self-care activities, such as preparing and eating healthy meals, exercising, and getting regular medical checkups. Staying proactive about physical and emotional health allows sandwich caregivers to provide focused, higher-quality care to the individuals who depend on them.
7. Hire Home Care
An important part of self-care for sandwich caregivers is hiring reliable respite care from a reputable home care agency. Respite care is a brief, intermittent form of professional care that gives the family member a few hours or a few days to rest, recuperate, and return to caregiving more alert.
Home care improves the quality of life for both the sandwich caregiver and the elderly care recipient. Professional caregivers schedule exercise and leisure activities to enrich the senior’s days, provide assistance with everyday tasks, and serve as companions to prevent loneliness.
Along with childcare, senior home care can alleviate much of the stress that comes with sandwich caregiving. Family caregivers deserve a balanced life and can achieve it by hiring elder care from trustworthy home care agencies, such as Assisting Hands Home Care.
We offer dependable, nonmedical elder care services to the elderly in the comfort of their home. Our care services are comprehensive and designed to fulfill their daily care needs. Professional caregivers help seniors with personal hygiene tasks, meal preparation, transportation, and light housekeeping.
Our care options are specialized, too. We offer compassionate Alzheimer’s and dementia care as well as after-surgery care and companion care. Your elderly loved one’s every nonmedical need will be met by the personalized care provided by our trained and experienced caregivers.
Families enjoy peace of mind knowing our caregivers are licensed, bonded, and insured. Our professionals are knowledgeable in CPR and First Aid—and they are trained to respond quickly to emergencies. Seniors feel safer, more comfortable, and greater confidence with home care.
When you need extra help with supporting an aging loved one, turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. We offer a complimentary in-home consultation where we’ll develop a flexible care plan. Call us today at (610) 541-2515 to learn more about reliable personal home care services in Collegeville, King of Prussia, Limerick, Norristown, West Norriton and surrounding areas in Montgomery County, PA.
