A growing population of individuals is entering the “sandwich generation,” trying to figure out how to juggle both the responsibilities of caring for their children and aging parents simultaneously. Sandwiched between two generational groups requiring assistance, these caregivers – often in their 30s to 50s – face distinct challenges and stressors. In this article, we’ll explore the dynamics of the sandwich generation to help caregivers navigate this new chapter of life.
What is the “sandwich generation”?
“Sandwich generation” refers to family caregivers squeezed between supporting two generations simultaneously. They’re tasked with the dual responsibility of nurturing young children while simultaneously providing care for elderly parents. This phenomenon has become increasingly common due to delayed childbearing and the aging baby boomer population and delayed childbearing.
Challenges faced by the sandwich generation
Individuals in the sandwich generation often find themselves in a delicate balancing act of managing nonstop caregiving responsibilities. This constant juggle can quickly lead to physical, emotional, and financial strain. Studies show that those in the sandwich generation experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and financial burden compared to those who only care for a child or an elderly parent.
Caregiving responsibilities of the sandwich generation
Family caregivers undertake the noble but demanding tasks of ensuring the wellbeing of their loved ones in various facets of life, from assisting with daily activities to managing medical appointments to providing emotional support.
Their days are filled with a myriad of responsibilities: cooking, driving, working, assisting with hygiene, medical appointments, and so much more. This demanding schedule is akin to working two full-time jobs, often on top of a regular job. This leaves little time for caregivers to focus on self-care, and without self-care, it’s easy to get exhausted, burnt out, stressed, and sick.
Family caregiving mental health toll
Family caregivers too often neglect their own needs in favor of those they care for, which often leads to family caregiver burnout. Burnout is characterized by physical exhaustion, emotional fatigue, and a decline in overall wellbeing. If you’ve been dealing with frequent illnesses, headaches, insomnia, or other health concerns, you might be experiencing burnout.
What can family caregivers do to combat burnout and get help?
Importance of seeking caregiver support
The first step in finding caregiver support is recognizing the challenges the sandwich generation faces. As a loving caregiver, your first instinct might be to prioritize the needs of others. But neglecting your own wellness will ultimately hinder your ability to provide quality care to those you love.
Self-care for the sandwich generation
Self-care is essential for family caregivers, but it has a few meanings. Self-care might mean carving out time to read or take a bath, but it also might be more nuanced, like acknowledging your personal limits, setting boundaries with those you love, and reprioritizing your own daily routines.
Engaging in activities that bring you joy is not a luxury. It’s a necessity for your mental and physical health. Without a healthy family caregiver, everything else can quickly fall apart, so you must prioritize yourself first.
Family caregiver support
Family caregivers should actively seek support from their communities and networks. Sharing experiences, getting advice, and requesting resources can provide valuable insights and ease the overwhelm you might be experiencing. Professional support in the form of counseling and therapy can also help you navigate the complex journey of family caregiving.
Respite care for caregiver support
Respite care is short-term or long-term care for elderly seniors. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed, investing in respite care for your aging parents can offer a break. Respite care ensures your parent will be cared-for while you recharge or focus on other areas of your life.
With regards to children, finding trusted babysitters, daycares, and after-school programs can also make your family caregiving journey more successful.
Keep in mind that family caregiving shouldn’t be one person’s responsibility. It should be the work of a community and care team to ensure family caregivers don’t get burnt out.
GoGoGrandparent as part of your care team
Enhance your care team with GoGoGrandparent. GoGo is an invaluable tool for thousands of caregivers in the sandwich generation. GoGo’s services act as an extension of your care team by assisting with the unique challenges of caring for elderly parents, even for those caregivers offering support from a distance.
Elderly care, near or far
One of the biggest challenges faced by the sandwich generation is geographical distance. Family caregivers are pulled in a thousand different directions and can’t be everywhere at once.
GoGoGrandparent helps address this by offering various services that facilitate remote caregiving. Here are some of the services we offer:
- GoGoRides: Your parent can have reliable, trustworthy rides anywhere they want. Pickups can happen within fifteen minutes or can be scheduled in advance. GoGoGuardians monitor requests and watch your parent in real-time to ensure they safely arrive at their destination. This is a fantastic option for those family caregivers who want to transition their parents away from driving and toward safer forms of transportation.
- GoGoGrocery: With just a phone call, your parent can order groceries, vitamins, and household supplies delivered conveniently to their door. You don’t have to worry about them dealing with traffic, long lines, or heavy bags to have nutritious food in the house.
- GoGoGourmet: Get fresh, hot meals delivered to their door from local restaurants. Behind the scenes, our GoGoGuardians ensure the food meets your parent’s dietary needs and preferences.
- GoGo Prescription Delivery: Make sure your parent always has their medications by having their prescriptions delivered from their local pharmacy right to their door. You can even get same-day delivery.
- GoGo Home Services: Get connected to screened, trustworthy professionals like landscapers, house cleaners, pet walkers, and more. Our GoGoGuardians screen the providers to help find dedicated, reliable professionals.
Elderly parents love GoGoGrandparent because it’s easy to book services with just a phone call, and family caregivers love the Family Features, where you can monitor your parents’ requests, get real-time updates, and pay for services. Plus, our GoGoGuardians are behind the scenes monitoring all requests and screening providers, which offers another layer of safety and reliability for family caregivers.
Whether you’re down the street or in another state, you can feel confident knowing your parents’ daily needs are taken care of with the help of GoGoGrandparent.
Conclusion: Sandwich Generation
The sandwich generation faces unique family caregiving challenges, squeezed between caring for both children and elderly loved ones. Finding caregiver support and avoiding burnout is critical to maintaining a healthy, stress-free caregiving situation long-term.
GoGoGrandparent is an excellent ally for family caregivers in the sandwich generation. Register with GoGoGrandparent now to join the thousands of caregivers utilizing GoGo’s innovative solutions to create a more sustainable, hassle-free family caregiving experience.
