Caregiving and the Sandwich Generation

The term “sandwich generation” was something I had heard about, but I did not fully understand until the afternoon I had to take my mother to one of her many doctor’s visits.  There I was, trying to maneuver my way into the office, with my 89 year-old mother clinging to my left arm and my eleven-month-old grandson balanced on my right hip.  A baby bottle hung from one pocket, a pacifier on my pinky finger, and Medicare papers stuffed into a pocketbook that was about to fall from my shoulder.  A caricature vision of me flashed through my head, and I laughed to myself as I thought, I feel like I’m the bologna between two pieces of bread.  In that moment I realized that I am one of the caregivers of the “sandwich generation.” 

If this picture is familiar, and if you are presently or could in the future be caring for an elderly person, know that you are not alone. 

Statistics tell us:

Family members provide 85% of all home care for people 50 and over.  That translates to almost one out of every four US households (22.4 million) caring for an elderly person. (General Accounting Office, 1994)

While men do provide care and their numbers are increasing, woman in their late forties are the primary care givers and 41% of those women are also caring for children. (National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 1997)

Families who provide care to those needing help with basic activities such as eating, toileting, etc. spend 11.2% more of their income than non-care givers. (Drs. Altman, Cooper and Cunningham, “The Case of Disability in the Family: Impact on Health Care Utilization and Expenditures for Non-disabled Members” Milbank Quarterly 77 (1) pages 39 – 75, 1999

Of the 2.5 million Americans who need wheelchairs, 61% can’t afford to have one. (Lisa I. Iezzoni, M.D., M.Sc., “When Walking Fails: Personal and Health Policy Considerations,” Research in Profile, a National Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, March 2002)

Caregivers often neglect their own health issues and have a higher level of stress, depression, and anxiety along with a higher mortality rate than non-care givers. (Caregiving Statistics from the National Family Caregivers Association)

Be Proactive Now

As a life coach, I work with clients helping them to explore and create new choices in their lives, and teach them techniques to reduce stress.  Take the steps and be proactive now.  Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed by your circumstances to become informed.

Long Term Care Insurance

Stephanie Ethe is a Long Term Care Insurance Specialist able to provide answers and help guide you through the process of making sure that your children don’t find themselves in the position of having to provide financial assistance to you.  Stephanie points out, “People need to protect their family by getting long term care insurance for themselves so history doesn’t repeat itself.”  Visit Stephanie’s website.  When you want the right information, go to the people who know.  Stephanie is one of those people.

Elder Law and Estate Planning

Whether you are presently a caregiver or may be one in the future, I strongly recommend that you attend one of Craig Andreoli’s seminars.  Craig is an attorney who only concentrates on elder law and estate planning. He is dedicated to helping people retain the assets they have worked hard to achieve and has a wealth of knowledge in elder care that can assist you in making the right choices.  Read some of the great information on  my friend Craig’s website.  It will be worth your time.

Learn Techniques To Reduce Stress

Remember, you cannot care for another, if you are not taking care of yourself.  So get as much information as you can from the experts, and learn stress reduction techniques such as meditation, breathing, guided imagery, and make sure you get a daily dose of  laughter.   Spend some time being good to yourself. You deserve it.