As a parent, you probably think about how to raise happy, well-adjusted children. Many books, articles, and journals describe ways to fulfill your child’s every need and want…but what about your parents?
How much time do you spend thinking about the happiness of your aging parents and how much information have you seen about caring for aging parents?
Are you Part of the Sandwich Generation?
Are you a parent caring for your child while also caring for your own parent?
Merriam Webster defines "Sandwich Generation" as a generation of people who are caring for their aging parents while supporting their own children.[1]
Just how common is it for adults to be “sandwiched” between aging their parents and their kids?
Chances are many people you know are or will be caring for an aging parent at some point in their lives. By 2030, there will be more than 72 million people over the age of 65 in the United States.[2] In 2012, 47% of adults aged 40 to 50s have a parent over 65 and they are either raising a young child or providing financial support to an adult child. One-in-seven middle-aged adults are financially supporting an aging parent and a child.
Are you also providing another type of support? You're probably not alone.
If you are caring for a parent, you most likely feel a tremendous duty to take care of and help make decisions about your aging parents’ health, finances, day-to-day functioning, and overall well-being. You are taking on a huge responsibility that you probably never imagined you would have.
According to the Pew research center, “Adults who are part of the sandwich generation-that is, those who have a living parent age 65 or older and are either raising a child under age 18 or supporting a grown child- are pulled in...
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...ell as grief & loss counseling. Her work with diverse populations has allowed her to understand and connect with people of all walks of life, which earned her the title of Life Transitions Specialist® by her colleagues and patients.
As part of her commitment to her community, Francine lectures and provides workshops throughout Los Angeles County on aging, caregiving, and other topics of interest to various organizations and clinics. Francine has also contributed to online publications including SheKnows.com, ABCNews.com, Forbes Woman, Next Avenue, Fox News, and AgingCare.com.
When not wearing her clinical hat, Francine spends her free time with her husband and children.
Click the image below to visit Francine’s site, L. A. Talk Therapy for information about individual counseling and consultations for families who need help navigating their parent's aging process.
Since both authors can relate to both age groups, they have written this article to describe the reasons behind Gen Y’s characteristics and allow older generations a chance to understand their younger counterparts. The article is written not towards Gen Y but instead is written for their critics. Since the article allows readers inside the lives of Gen Y members, it is directed at people who do not already understand this generation and all it has to offer to the world. The authors’ knowledge of the criticisms that Gen Y faces allows them to portray their purpose to intended audiences. They do all of this while remaining mindful of older generations that work full time and live busy lives by breaking the article up with headings and subheadings that allow readers to read only sections at a
Mrs. Nancy Hamilton (changed name for privacy) is 95 years old female who resides in a local continued care retirement community (CCRC) located in the Los Angeles County. I decided to interview Mrs. Hamilton for her successful aging. I have known her for 9 years and her aging process has not been an easy ride but she always maintained a positive sprit that kept her going even today. Mrs. Hamilton moved in to a CCRC in 2006, two years after her husband passed away. Mrs. Hamilton has one daughter and one son. Daughter Margaret lives nearby and visits frequently and takes care of personally needs such as transportation to medical appointments or shopping for skin care products or clothes as necessary. Son, David lives in the Northern California and visits a few times a year.
Millennials are accused of being tough to manage, behaving entitled, unfocused, lazy, narcissistic; however, they seek to have a purpose that they love and make an impact. Yet, the more they receive, they are not happy. Sinek jokingly states that they could be offered “free food and bean bags, because that is what they want, and they will still not be happy.” According to Sinek, there is a missing piece for millennials, furthermore, he goes on to say there are four characteristics that make millennials the way they are, “parenting, technology, impatience, and environment.” (2016).
One consequence of a caregiver having an ageist attitude can be the overmedication of geriatric patients. Overmedication can occur if medical providers offer misguided health recommendations based
With the aging population growing faster every year many families must make a difficult decision whether their loved ones should live in assisted living or nursing home facilities. I can relate because I made the decision to care for my mother at my home. Some people do not have the money or resources to care for their parent so they must live in a facility for health and safety reasons.
The Baby Boomer Generation (Born between 1946 and 1964) was born into the post-World War II economic prosperity and opportunity (Weston, 2006). Baby Boomers were members in smaller families and were doted on by parents, schools, and society as a whole (Weston, 2006). For the most part, they grew up in two-parent households where the father earned the family income and the mother was the home caretaker (Weston, 2006). News became more visual and dramatic as world-changing events such as men landing on the moon and the shooting of a president were seen on television (Weston,
In the article “It’s Not About You” by David Brooks, Brooks takes a different perspective on this current generation. Many of the past generation huff at the thought of the new age group. Brooks has an incredible, somewhat biased opinion relating to the new generation, which is not unusual since he is from the current generation. Brooks discusses and explores the idea that the current generation is expected to grow up, get educated, get married and then have children. Brooks speculates that the new generation will be less family-orientated and maybe more adventurous and more about just living life and getting to experience things. Overall, Brooks wrote something different from most stories regarding generations.
Today, the world’s population is aging at a very fast pace and the United States is no exception to this demographic change. According to the U.S Census Bureau, senior citizens will account for 21% of the American population in 2050 (Older Americans, 2012). Although living longer lives may not seem like a negative sign, living longer does not necessarily mean living healthier. Older adults of today are in need of long-term health care services more than any generation before them (Older Americans, 2012). Because of the growing need for senior care, millions of families are facing critical decisions on how to provide care for their parents.
Older adults are a very knowledgeable population and have had a lot of life experiences. As people age, things start to change physically, mentally, and socially. It’s important to understand the process of aging, so that older adults can be taken care of properly. I interviewed P.R. who is a 71-year-old male that lives alone in his home. P.R. is a retired coal miner, and is currently living off his social security and savings. He lives close to both his daughter and son, who frequently help him out with things that are needed. P.R. was able to give me a lot of insight about specific challenges that he has experienced in his life that is associated with aging. I will be discussing challenges that P.R experienced physically, mentally,
As you can imagine, the financial cost and responsibility of caring for an aging parent are not the only demands family members must face. Most of the concerns and hardships these caregivers deal with are ways to address the needs of their parents while making sure they still provide them with the necessities. Eldercare creates a complex situation in which traditional roles of parent/child relationships are revealed. You may already be in that position or soon looking at it of being part of the 'sandwich generation', providing support for your own children as well that of your parents. Physically as well as financially.
Middle adulthood is often a rewarding time for many, however, this period may be filled with several significant life demands. During this time some adults are caring for their grandchildren while simultaneously taking care of their aging and sometimes ill parents. During what is supposed to be a very rewarding developmental age, some are faced with added financial and physical burdens. This can lead to a depletion in money set aside for retirement and can create emotional and health problems for individuals in the caretaking
Grandparents who care for their grandchildren will have to be alert at all times and be willing to chase them around if they get out of control. Taking care of grandchildren and keeping up with them could take a toll on older adults, physically. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the cost of raising a child in approximately $250,000 (for food, housing, education, and other expenses up to age 18). If grandparents are the sole providers for their grandchildren, this will be big financial burden for them, especially if they are already retired. Children who are raised by their grandparents also have a more difficult time in school.
In his May 2013 editorial for Time Magazine, “Millennials: The Me Me Me Generation,” Joel Stein explains his viewpoint on millennials, defined as people born 1980 through 2000. Using an occasionally humorous tone, Stein summarizes the typical bleak view that older people have for the younger generation, before offering what he believes is closer to the truth. In the end, he decides that while millennials are not without their flaws and vices, a lot of the fears that older people are mostly due to the advanced technology that we are now dealing with. By the end of the article, it is my opinion that Stein makes a very fair summarization and is correct in his idea that to write off the entire generation is unfair towards younger people.
First, how do we know who fits into this group? Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “sandwich generation’ as being “a generation of people who are caring for their
In conclusion, children who want to see their aging parents happy, they always try to give their parent best atmosphere .Which they only can get at home .However, children should think about their aging parents what do they really want? They only want professional care or a better and happy atmosphere with their family’s every day. It is not necessary children should take care of their elderly parent, but we really need to think about it because parents work their entire lives to support their family and we owe them a lot. So, in my opinion children should be responsible for their aging parents.