The Role of a Sandwich Caregiver
People in their early to middle-aged years who are simultaneously caring for their elderly parents and raising children are known as the “sandwich generation.” The sandwich generation comprises about 23% of the American population. It can be expensive, emotionally stressful, and exhausting to care for a sandwich generation. It’s challenging to balance everything, but there are some strategies for sandwich caregivers to make it easier. The sandwich generation typically includes adults in their 40s to 60s. This can also include those caring for adult children or other older adults.
Challenges and Strategies for Sandwich Caregivers
Caregivers often face physical, emotional, spiritual, logistical, and financial burdens, leading to stress and potential health issues. The challenges faced by the “sandwich generation,” refers to adults in midlife who care for both their children and aging parents. This dual responsibility can lead to significant stress and burnout.
Here are some common issues they might face along with strategies to help manage these responsibilities:
Balancing parenting and caring for an aging parent can be incredibly demanding, leaving little time for yourself.
- Stay Organized: Regular family meetings can help you plan upcoming commitments, delegate tasks, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and neighbors for support. Many people are willing to help but may not know what you need.
- Involve Siblings: If you have siblings, ask them to contribute financially, provide hands-on care, and spend time with your aging parents to prevent caregiving from taking over your life.
Caring for an aging parent can be highly stressful and may lead to family disputes. You might find yourself clashing with family members over decisions regarding parental care, financial responsibilities, and even old childhood conflicts.
- Clear Communication: Encourage honest and open discussions about care decisions and responsibilities. Regular family meetings can help everyone stay informed and involved.
- Define Responsibilities: Define and agree on each family member’s role in caregiving. This can help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that tasks are evenly distributed.
- Seek Mediation: If conflicts arise, consider involving a neutral third party, such as a family therapist or mediator, to help facilitate discussions and resolve disputes.
Dealing with complex emotions as a caregiver can be challenging. You might experience anticipatory grief, feeling anxiety, dread, or sadness.
- Embrace Your Emotions: Recognize that feelings of grief, guilt, anger, and resentment are normal. Allow yourself to feel these emotions without judgment.
- Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings. Joining a support group for caregivers can also provide a safe space to share experiences and gain insights.
- Practice Self-Care: Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Prioritizing your own well-being can help you manage stress and maintain emotional balance
When you’re swamped with responsibilities, it can be challenging to live up to your own standards. With numerous demands on your time, striving for perfection becomes unattainable.
- Set Achievable Goals: Recognize that perfection is out of reach. Concentrate on making your best effort instead of aiming for unattainable standards.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and appreciate the small successes and progress you make each day. Every effort counts.
- Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings. Sharing your experiences can provide perspective and emotional relief.
Conclusion
Dealing with cultural expectations around caregiving can be tough. In many cultures, people expect caregiving rather than choose it, which can make you feel isolated, especially if your workplace or friends don’t understand your duties. This often leads to feelings of resentment or bitterness about being forced into the role. Rely on your family or cultural community for support, as they may have gone through similar experiences and emotions. Make time to connect with your parents in non-caregiving ways, such as going for a walk or running errands together, to maintain your relationship beyond the caregiver role.
Do you need online training on managing your responsibility as a sandwich caregiver? Contact Hands-On America Services for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 for your assistance.