9 ways sandwich-generation caregivers can manage stress
What Is the Sandwich Generation? ... The sandwich generation is named so because they are effectively "sandwiched" between the obligation to care 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.
Who is the sandwich generation? Its members are mostly middle-aged: 71% of this group is ages 40 to 59. An additional 19% are younger than 40 and 10% are age 60 or older.
Boomerang children, or boomerang kids, are terms used to describe the phenomenon of an adult child returning home to live with their parents for economic reasons after a period of independent living.
Explore alternatives such as sharing caregiving responsibilities with another family member or loved one. Even a simple 1- or 2-day break can make a huge difference and reduce responsibilities. Professional support may be necessary in many cases.
Traditional Sandwich: This refers to caregivers of two generations: both their own children and their parents. ... The second refers to adults in their 50s or 60s, who provide care for their own parents, as well as for their adult children and grandchildren.
Most parents today go beyond this by financially supporting two generations at the same time – their parents, and their children. These individuals are often referred to as the 'sandwich generation', but they can be the last to shoulder this responsibility.
Sons are stepping up. About 7.4 million sons are caring for parents, which represents 17% of all caregivers, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving. ... “They don't feel comfortable being caregivers in the first place,” she says. “When faced with personal care—bathing, dressing—it's even harder.”
The Multiple Stress Factors Faced By the Sandwich Generation
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