Sandwich Generation: Caring for Aging Parents While Raising a Family

Understanding the Sandwich Generation

What Does “Sandwich Generation” Mean?

The sandwich generation refers to middle-aged adults who are sandwiched between caring for children and aging parents.

Elderly parents looked after by their own children may have unique needs and challenges. For example, members of the sandwich generation often provide financial support to their own parents.

Dependent children then add another layer of stress and responsibility that these middle-aged adults must manage.

Adults are sandwiched between the desire to give their children a good life and an obligation to their parents, and many families find it challenging to have multigenerational homes. Single parents or families with only one main income may feel significant financial stress.

Using meal delivery services and other forms of support reduces strain on households.

Who Is Considered Part of the Sandwich Generation Today?

People between the ages of 40 and 50 may consider themselves part of the sandwich generation today. 

Due to the rising cost of living, many middle-aged Americans find themselves living in an intergenerational home, taking on the responsibility of caring for growing children and aging parents.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition supports these families by providing convenient, nutritious meals delivered directly to your door.

Why Is This Age Group Growing So Rapidly?

Multiple factors contribute to the sudden growth of the sandwich generation, including: 

• Having children later in life
• Increased longevity 
• Financial strain or economic stressors 
• Personal beliefs and social expectations 
• Greater expectation of incorporating in-law relatives into multigenerational housing

Older Americans are living longer, and it is now socially expected for children to look after their parents once they reach a point where they cannot maintain their own home.

How Common Is Sandwich Generation Caregiving?

A recent trend of children acting as live-in caregivers for elderly parents has increased – around a quarter of middle-aged adults live in a shared home with their children and parents.

Baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964, are reaching a point where some of them must rely on loved ones to help them navigate everyday tasks.

What Do Pew Research Center and AARP Data Show About Prevalence?

Survey respondents and research studies into gerontology have reported that the demographic of the sandwich generation has grown in the last decade. 

According to an April 8, 2022, post on the official Pew Research Center website, “As people are living longer and many young adults are struggling to gain financial independence, about a quarter of U.S. adults (23%) are now part of the so-called ‘sandwich generation,’ according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in October 2021.”

As the population ages, more people will fall into the sandwich generation. According to a December 21, 2023, AARP article by Selena Caldera, “almost 30 percent of caregivers of someone age 50 or older were also caring for a child or grandchild in their household in 2019 (AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving 2020).”

How Are Millennials and Baby Boomers Affected Differently?

The aging population of baby boomers has begun to reach a point where age-related health issues make it challenging to live alone, making it more common for them to move in with their Generation Y or millennial children.  

Many families experience tension and stress due to conflicting needs and differing viewpoints. For example, boomers often prioritize sentimentality and tradition, while millennials tend to be more pragmatic and practical.

For many families, mealtime allows parents and children to connect and strengthen relationships, repairing any damage caused by holding alternative life views. Shared meals often help bring multigenerational homes together, creating healthier family dynamics.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers healthy food options for older adults, providing nutritional support and delicious meals.

Caring for Aging Parents While Raising Children

What Does Daily Caregiving Often Look Like for Adult Children?

Adult children provide practical and emotional support to parents under their care. 

Daily caregiving responsibilities vary depending on multiple factors and may include: 

• Assisting with dressing and personal hygiene 
• Preparing and serving meals
• General housekeeping 
• Mobility assistance
• Medication reminders 
• Transportation to doctor appointments
• Providing social support 

The age of the caregiver’s children also plays a role in how they provide for aging parents. Responsibilities differ for young children versus young adults. For example, toddlers require more hands-on monitoring and care, while teens can generally take care of themselves throughout the day, giving caregivers more time to address their parents’ needs.

How Do In-Laws and Multiple Family Members Change the Care Dynamic?

Living with in-laws and other family members can shift the family dynamic by introducing new priorities and expectations. 

Honest communication and healthy boundaries protect adult children caring for their in-laws. Avoiding conflict and tension within the home can improve everyone’s mental health and create a more meaningful experience. Finding small ways to connect, such as sharing favorite meals, may improve relationships among family members from different backgrounds.

The Emotional Impact of Sandwich Generation Caregiving

How Does Caregiving Affect Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being?

Caregiving takes an emotional and physical toll on adult children and their loved ones.  

Some of the most common stressors for the sandwich generation of caregivers include: 

• Uncertain social and economic times 
• Financial strain from caring for three generations
• Difference in values and lifestyle
• Incompatible beliefs or personal boundaries 

Adult children can maintain positive mental health while acting as caregivers for their aging parents by using resources, creating a strong support network, and not hesitating to ask for help, sharing the load.

How Can Burnout Develop Over Time?

People often report feeling burned out when they are responsible for caring for children and parents simultaneously without adequate support. 

Burnout can have many causes, including inadequate sleep, personality conflicts, and ineffective communication.

Emotional and physical burnout affects most multigenerational homes eventually unless they take advantage of support resources. Often, community-based and local services offer guidance, information, and practical support to adult children in the sandwich generation.

How Do the Practical Challenges of Caregiving Create a Financial Burden for Many Families?

Childcare, eldercare, and healthcare costs often overlap, putting an incredible strain on single-family incomes. 

Financial pressures increase stress and can interfere with family relationships by introducing tension and uncertainty.

Local, state, and federal resources, including insurance-covered meal-delivery services, help ease some of the financial burden. Financial assistance options help families manage the financial strain of caring for multiple generations on a limited income. You can connect with these resources through online state and federal directories or by calling 2-1-1.

Balancing Work, Family, and Full-Time Caregiving

How Do Full-Time Jobs Complicate Caregiving Responsibilities?

A full-time job often means adult children must find affordable childcare and adult care services during their work hours. 

The realities of working full-time while caring for children and aging parents may cause unexpected challenges. For example, when care needs increase suddenly, such as when one or more family members get sick, it can strain finances, physical and emotional well-being, and other family resources.

Families may need to call in backup in the form of extended family or friends to help.

How Can Caregivers Set Realistic Boundaries?

Setting realistic boundaries by creating reasonable expectations is one of the most effective ways to balance work, family, and full-time caregiving. 

Adult children must juggle work, personal health, family responsibilities, community engagement, and other aspects of everyday life without burning out. The best way to do that is through creating realistic, firm verbal, physical, emotional, and financial boundaries.

Sitting down with family members and having a calm, objective discussion about respecting boundaries and the consequences of ignoring them will make sure everyone understands expectations within the home.

Why Is Nutrition Often One of the First Things to Slip?

In many multigenerational homes, the role of nutrition in daily support for older parents is often overlooked. 

Poor nutrition impacts older adults’ health and independence by causing the following: 

• Potential malnutrition
• Weakened immune system
• Increased functional dependence 
• Chronic disease complications 

Meal support from companies like LifeSpring Home Nutrition reduces daily caregiver stress and promotes overall wellness for older adults. We offer a wide range of meal options to help families maintain a balanced diet for aging parents.

Supporting Your Own Well-Being as a Caregiver

Why Is Self-Care Essential for Family Caregivers?

You cannot look after others if you overextend yourself and overwhelm your body. 

Regular self-care allows you to unwind, disconnect for a few hours, recenter your priorities, regain energy, and build back your internal strength. A healthy diet, hydration, and quality sleep each night support your well-being and give your body the resources to keep up with caregiving responsibilities.

What Are Realistic Self-Care Strategies for Busy Caregivers?

Realistic self-care involves identifying tasks that you can easily replace or eliminate to give yourself more control of your day.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition takes significant stress off caregivers by eliminating the need to plan, shop for, prepare, and clean up after daily meals. All of the time, energy, and thought that would have gone into making meals can go to other tasks.

Some other realistic self-care strategies for busy caregivers include:

• Taking a day to spend time with friends doing enjoyable activities outside the home
• Spending a period of time each day engaging in relaxing and calming activities
• Being mindful of limits and seeking support or help when necessary 

Everyone needs self-care to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

How Can Support Groups Help Reduce Isolation?

Online and in-person support groups for caregivers reduce isolation by providing a space to express themselves without fear of judgment and to receive support from others who share similar life experiences. 

A strong support network reduces the risk of burnout and improves work-life-caregiving balance. Adult children who live with their aging parents benefit from connecting with others in similar living situations. Support groups promote mutual empowerment, encouragement, and community engagement.

Planning Ahead for Aging Parents

Why Is Early Planning Important for Elder Care?

Finding resources, developing a game plan for managing age-related issues, and understanding what to expect at different stages of old age can prepare adult children for the realities of caring for a parent. 

Planning ahead for elder care makes the transition into a joint household easier by preparing everyone for what to expect. Legal, medical, and financial considerations often require weeks or months of planning to make it easier to take over a loved one’s care. Families share responsibilities more effectively when they plan in advance.

When Should Outside Help Be Considered?

Work, school, or other responsibilities may interfere with a child’s ability to care for their senior parent.

In these cases, some families may require outside help to properly care for elderly parents.

Outside help might include meal delivery services to cut down on meal prep, elder care services during work hours, or respite care. Many community-based programs exist in California to help families adjust to providing at-home caregiving.

How LifeSpring Home Nutrition Supports Sandwich Generation Caregivers

How Can Medically Tailored Meals Support Aging Parents at Home?

Medically tailored meals and other forms of specialized nutritional support reduce the risk of malnutrition and preventable health conditions. 

LifeSpring Home Nutrition has a wide range of tailored meal options, ensuring everyone can find foods that appeal to their tastes and meet their nutritional needs.

According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), “Medically tailored meals help to meet the needs of program participants with health conditions that require specific diets such as heart disease, diabetes, and HIV.” Personalized meal choices also preserve dignity and independence for seniors as they age in the home.

How Can Reliable Meal Delivery Ease Caregiving Responsibilities?

Consistent and reliable meal delivery services allow caregivers to make routines that accommodate their schedules.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition delivers weekly meals to communities in California. The same delivery driver covers the route each week, building a genuine relationship with each client and making it easy to communicate any changes or needs. Reliable food delivery helps reduce the stress of caregiving responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sandwich Generation

What age group is most commonly part of the sandwich generation?

Middle-aged adult children aged 40 to 50 make up the largest share of the sandwich generation. 

Generations X, Y, and Z make up the sandwich generation.

Can someone be part of the sandwich generation with only one living parent?

Yes. Anyone living with and caring for a parental or guardian figure can be considered part of the sandwich generation. 

Adult children with only one living parent may have to devote a greater portion of their day to caregiving. Older couples aging in place together may have the ability to help each other with various tasks. However, with only one parent, that responsibility falls entirely on the child.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition minimizes the stress load around planning and preparing meals for elderly parents. You can ensure your parent gets the recommended daily intake of essential nutrients without having to do any portioning, shopping, or cooking.

Finding ways to support parents without experiencing emotional or physical burnout improves family dynamics in multigenerational homes.

How long do most people remain sandwich generation caregivers?

The sandwich generation generally lasts 5 to 10 years for middle-aged individuals. 

Although most of the sandwich generation falls between 40 and 50, the demographics may soon change. Due to the economy and the prevalence of preventable health issues, children may become caregivers as early as their mid-30s.

What are the early signs of caregiver burnout?

Some early warning signs of caregiver burnout include: 

• Unusual irritability and mood swings
• Chronic fatigue 
• Sleep disturbances 
• Withdrawal from friends and family 
• Anxiety or panic 
• Unusual appetite changes

Caregiver burnout is a common issue, and people can avoid it by learning to recognize the signs.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), “Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver.” In fact, caregivers “are less likely than others to get preventive health services, like annual checkups, and to practice regular self-care.” Avoiding self-care may contribute to the development of burnout and preventable health issues.

Where can sandwich generation caregivers find support?

The sandwich generation can benefit from self-help groups and community support from others who share similar experiences. 

Middle-aged parents caring for their own aging parents at home face unique challenges, and connecting with others in similar situations can be another practical resource. Many online groups exist, and larger cities may have in-person groups where caregivers can discuss their concerns and share advice.

Middle-aged adults now have to contend with raising children and providing a comfortable space for their parents to age in peace. LifeSpring Home Nutrition helps families manage these responsibilities by providing weekly meal deliveries with tailored food options. To learn more or to find out how you can sign up for local services, call our office today at (800) 798-5767.