The Sandwich Generation
Taking on the responsibility of caring for multiple generations of family members from young to old is a stressful and taxing task, emotionally and financially. These individuals are commonly known as the “sandwich generation”, stuck ‘sandwiched’ between their parents, children, and – for some – even grandparents.
Financial Toll
The number of members in the sandwich generation is growing rapidly year to year, and so is the financial burden associated with caring for multiple generations simultaneously. According to a survey coordinated by YouGov and The New York Times, it is estimated that people caring for their children and older relatives simultaneously incur an average of $10,000 in debt over the course of their caregiving years – even sacrificing their own retirement and savings. Factors that contribute to this debt include:
- Increased expenses
- Reduced work hours
- Loss of job/career opportunities
Emotional Toll
Having to care for different generations of family members at the same time can provide a seemingly insurmountable amount of stress. According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America survey, the members of the sandwich generation that sustain the most stress are mothers aged 35-54.
The emotional toll of the sandwich generation mainly comes from constant devotion to care of older and younger family members, leaving caretakers with minimal to zero time for themselves. Not properly caring for yourself can lead to chronic stress – putting pressure on the body for an extended period, causing a range of emotional and physical symptoms and increased risk of developing other illnesses or conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, etc.).
Caregiver Health Tips
As you can tell, maintaining good health while sandwiched between caring for children and parents or older relatives can be a difficult task. Carving out time for yourself can seem impossible given your current responsibilities. However, consider these tips as you seek to manage stress:
- Understanding warning signs and symptoms
- Speak to family members and friends to provide emotional support
- Know your specific triggers of stress
- Exercise routinely
- Adequate nights of sleep
- For more serious cases, psychological therapy and medication
Remember, stress is a regular part of life that everyone experiences. Short-term stress is typically innocuous; however, lasting stress can become chronic and cause a range of symptoms, potentially even leading to physical and mental disorders. Using the techniques and tips listed above can offer guidance through the stress and anxiety of caregiving.
Home to Stay Can Help
Home to Stay’s primary goal is to provide respite care for families, especially those who are caring for multiple generations. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. H2S serves the South Jersey community with hourly care or live-in caregivers.
At our office, we strive to acquire and provide the highest quality caregivers who will assist our clients with services such as meal preparation, light housekeeping, running errands, taking people to appointments, companion care and personal care. Give us a call today if you are feeling sandwiched and stressed.
