As the aging population rapidly grows, so does the need for family caregivers to take on larger roles in their loved one’s care. The term “sandwich generation” refers to young to middle-aged adults who are simultaneously raising their own children and supporting their aging parents.More than one in ten parents in the United States also care for an adult, spending about three hours each day on care giving duties between their children and parents. According to the Pew Research Center, almost half (47%) of adults in their 40s and 50s are raising young children (or financially supporting a child 18+) and also have a parent aged 65+. About 15% of those middle-aged adults financially support both generations – children and parents. 38% of this sandwich generation says that both their parents and children rely on them for emotional support.
Here’s a great article from ALZ Magazine that looks into the life of sisters, Michelle and Theresa Caponi and their mother Jeanne, as they balance their family’s needs as sandwich generation caregivers.
https://www.alz.org/news/2021/caught-in-the-middle
TOI offers a monthly caregiver support group in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. The group meets virtually on the third Tuesday of the month at 1:30PM.
Our Caregivers support group meetings on the 4th Friday of each month at 2:00pm in person at the Countryside Community Center and Virtually with Go-To-Meeting.
For more information and virtual links, please call us at 607-687-4120 ext. 315.
