The “Sandwich Generation”: Our Need for Balanced, Abundant Living
After last week’s blog addressing the needs of “The Unintentional Caregiver”, I came to a profound realization:
The majority of “us”- not only in the United States but worldwide – are members of what’s known as the “Sandwich Generation,” and as caregivers, we need help!
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What is the “Sandwich Generation”?
According to the updated March 4, 2021, online article by SeniorLiving.com, the demographics of the Sandwich Generation takes on three distinct variations of being a caregiver:
“The Traditional Sandwich Generation —Adults typically in their 40s or early 50s sandwiched between their elderly parents and their typically adult children who both need financial or other assistance.
The ‘Club Sandwich’ Generation — Older adults in their 50 or 60s who are wedged between aging parents, their adult children, and possibly grandchildren.
This term can also refer to younger adults in their 30s or 40s who have younger children, elderly parents, and aging grandparents.
The ‘Open-Faced Sandwich’ Generation — Anyone who’s non-professionally involved in elder care, which is an estimated 25% of individuals at some point in their lives.”
If any of these definitions describe you or someone you know, then you’re in good company! More than likely, you will be taking on the role of caregiver, are in this role right now, or have gone through living this role.
Most of my friends and colleagues are “members” of the “Sandwich Generation” and need good, reliable resources for help in this journey. Being a member of this generation, I am quite aware of the challenging effects of being a caregiver. As I mentioned in my previous post, my husband and I had to immediately take on the care of my dad, who had been in a car accident, moving him from one coast in the U.S. to the other to live with us.
And, as the previous owner of a non-medical, in-home care franchise business, I’ve had first-hand knowledge of the physical, emotional, social, financial, and spiritual negative effects that most “sandwich generation” caregivers encounter.
The Senior Living article continues to state that:
The term ‘sandwich generation’ is becoming so commonplace that it was added to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary in 2006. However, the dictionary fails to mention the heavy financial and emotional stress that being a part of this generation can cause on caregivers.
Many family caregivers tend to wait until they are emotionally and physically exhausted before seeking help.
As a Certified Senior Advisor®, I felt compelled to create a toolkit about respite care.
The Family Caregiver Respite Care Toolkit gives you practical tools to be less stressed, more healthy, self-caring (without guilt!), and empowered to become a more balanced and abundant family caregiver.
Use my product as a guide for planning your well-deserved time of re-grouping, relaxing, reflecting, and looking after “YOU.” Of course, your loved one will benefit from respite care as well!
I’ve been there, and I get it! Plan using respite care in the early stages of caregiving as a need for your continued well-being and that of your loved one.
Conclusion:
The global impact of being in this huge group is a serious issue, and the tools to equip the Sandwich Generation’s unique needs as caregivers will be a major focus of upcoming posts. If you haven’t already, then please subscribe to receive Balanced Abundant Living posts!
Additional Reading:
Building a Legacy of Love: Thriving in the Sandwich Generation. By Christy Byrne Yates. 2021.
“What is the sandwich generation? Unique stress and responsibilities for caregivers between generations”. By Claire Samuels. A Place for Mom.com. July 7, 2020.
“The Unintentional Caregiver”. Balanced Abundant Living.com. May 25, 2021.
“Why the ‘sandwich generation’ is so stressed out”. By Christine Ro. BBC.com. January 28, 2021.
“Sandwich generation moms feeling the squeeze”. By the American Psychological Association. 2008.
“Caregiving: Knowing When It’s Time for In-Home Help”. By Mattan Schuchman, M.D. Johns Hopkins Home-Based Medicine program. 2021.
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