Twenty million American adults are caring for aging parents at the same time they’re raising young children. Known as the Sandwich Generation, they are feeling the stress.<\/p>\n
A recent study of “sandwichers” reports that:<\/p>\n
The American Psychological Association’s 2007 Stress in America survey found that mothers in the sandwich generation, ages 35 – 54, feel more stress than any other age group as they try to manage caring for growing children and aging parents.<\/p>\n
The pressures of taking care of family members, as well as the worry over parents’ health, putting children through college and saving for retirement takes a big toll. So what’s a sandwicher to do?<\/p>\n
It’s common for one family member to assume responsibility for older parents. But even the most take-charge, organized person will need help.<\/p>\n
Getting siblings and other immediate family involved lightens the burden for everyone, and gives them a chance to show their love for parents, too.<\/p>\n
Establish regular family meetings for those involved in providing care. Those that can’t be there in person can participate by phone or Web-cam.<\/p>\n
Find a job for everyone. A brother who lives far away can still help with paying bills, researching agencies, or just calling regularly. A sister who lives nearby but who can’t give regular care may be the designated back-up for the primary care giver.<\/p>\n
It’s important to get your spouse and children involved, too.<\/p>\n
It’s also important to take care of yourself. Make time to rest, eat right and relax. You’re no good to anyone in your family if you’re exhausted and stressed out. <\/p>\n
Caring for two generations at the same time isn’t easy, but it can be managed – if you get some help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Twenty million American adults are caring for aging parents at the same time they’re raising young children. Known as the Sandwich Generation, they are feeling the stress. A recent study of “sandwichers” reports that: 53 percent feel forced to choose between caring for their children or caring for their parents at least once a week … Continue reading “Caught in the Middle – Help for the Sandwich Generation”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[263],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-family-life-parenting"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t