Are You Part of the Sandwich Generation?

The What Generation?

According to Pew Research 1 in 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 are part of the Sandwich Generation: people sandwiched between caring for both their children and their elderly parents.
 
A sandwich situation creates additional concerns for caregivers, such as:

• How should you divide your time between your children and your parents?
• How do you find time for your own relationship/marriage?
• How can you find time for yourself?
• How will you deal with feeling guilty about not having enough time to do everything?
  
• How do you maintain balance and goodwill between your children and parents?

How do you Juggle all the Moving Parts of This Situation?

Each family is different, but the following tips can help.

1. Accept that there is no such thing as perfect.
   Life is messy, and that’s okay.
2. Ask for help. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to discover nearby resources, and then use them.
3. Do something for yourself each day. Read. Write. Talk. Walk. Meditate. Nap. Exercise.
4. Have a family meeting to discuss everyone’s wants and needs. Let each generation express concerns and opinions. It doesn’t have to be a formal meeting — discuss it over dinner or on a drive — but make sure you discuss it. This information will be your guide for what is most important when making decisions.
5. Encourage kids and elders to communicate and interact. These relationships can provide wonderful, loving moments. Everyone has something to offer to each other. Make some memories, people.

 
As a caregiver, you’re making a huge difference in the lives of your elders and children. It's important to take care of yourself, so you can take care of the people you love. Try to be a well-balanced sandwich.

This is a sandwich.

The woman on the left is a member of the sandwich generation.

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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. Men and women are equally likely to be members of the sandwich generation. Hispanics are more likely than whites or blacks to be in this situation.

Three-in-ten Hispanic adults (31%) have a parent age 65 or older and a dependent child. This compares with 24% of whites and 21% of blacks.

~ Information from the Pew Research Center

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