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The Sandwich Generation: Feeling the Crunch
Feeling the squeeze of caregiving? Discover practical tips and encouragement for sandwich generation caregivers trying to balance shifting responsibilities.
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Today’s caregivers are more overburdened than ever. Many are caregiving for multiple people with a variety of care needs. The “sandwich generation” caregiver finds themselves sandwiched between aging parents and younger children or grandchildren—which leaves many feeling the squeeze of growing responsibilities and the need to juggle these with their own lives.
According to AARP, family caregivers are increasingly Gen Z and millennials and are more likely to be working while performing caregiving duties. Also, as people are living longer and studies have found that adult children are remaining financially tied to their parents longer, the caregiving crunch isn’t going away anytime soon.
Carla, an experienced sandwich generation caregiver, shared these encouragements for those feeling the crunch.
- Find ways to recharge. Take care of yourself by reconnecting with your role outside of caregiving. Grab dinner, have someone come over so that you can take a short break or do an activity you enjoy, or even play a game or work on a puzzle after everyone is asleep. Find ways to connect with activities you enjoy and try to incorporate this into your daily routine.
- Put your pride to the side and be open to receiving help. Be honest with others about your needs. This can feel difficult, but doing so will allow others to know the best way to support you. When someone does offer to help, whether a family member or friend, be open to accepting this help.
- Have a phone partner – someone that you can trust and call anytime – when you need to let out your stress. If you don’t have this, seek it out. Most people are more than willing to be supportive in this way if you are honest about this need.