Navigating the Caregiver Role of “The Sandwich Generation”

“The Sandwich Generation” was a term coined for the Boomers back in the 1980s for their ability to navigate the multi-caring roles. Managing their aging parents wants and needs, while raising their young children- making them “sandwiched” between generations.

The Boomers were amazing handling the task without the help of gadgets and delivery options we have today.

In all fairness, it is not easy to navigate the care of two different generations. With all of the activities that kids participate in today, carving out time for “self care”, and then checking in on aging parents is a lot to fit in on a weekly basis.

So, how can The Sandwich Generation navigate the multi-care roles you ask?!

Here are a few ideas to make the caring of aging parents for the Sandwich Generation a little easier:

Help each other!

Whether you have siblings, cousins, neighbors, a family attorney, or a great circle of friends, reach out to them! In fact, a group of Boomers created their own “Beacon Hill Village” up in Boston, MA. This group of people do so much for others- meal delivery, taking out the trash, assisting with lawn care, home maintenance, driving to appointments, etc. The group eventually started the Village to Village Network,or Seniors Helping Seniors, a movement found around the U.S. Look to see if one is in your town, or start one!

Telemedicine is brilliant!

To be able to “call up” your physician on your computer or tablet and not have to worry about sitting in a waiting room around sick people for who knows how long is a major milestone in medicine. Here is a website to learn more on Telemedicine.

Anything and everything can be delivered!

I don’t need to patronize you with how to deliver food, supplies, medication, etc. Talk about the perfect time to be caring for an aging parent. You don’t have to make an extra dish for dinner, send them their favorite meal!

Seek expert advice!

I cannot tell you enough about utilizing the knowledge of industry experts.

• Attorneys -well they just about do it all!
• Financial Advisors -they make sure you have money to continue enjoying the life you are used to living.
• Physicians – you are probably on a first name basis with them by now!
• Social Worker – a wonderful person to seek when it comes to services and aging. I have learned more over the years listening to social worker’s suggestions to family members than I have reading books (and that is saying a lot, since I read constantly!)
• Caregiver Consultant– we keep up with all things in the aging industry and can give advice that is many times not thought of as a solution. We are able to think out of the box when we are not fully invested in the situation, as a family member would be.

Look into community living!

As you all know from my bio, I am a huge fan of CCRC’s (Continuing Care Retirement Communities), Active Adult Apartments, and other senior living communities, even downtown apartments! You cannot get the constant care of a dedicated staff 24 hours a day, plus the comradery of neighbors and contemporaries at one’s single family home. How comforting is it for you to know that if they fall or suddenly feel ill, somebody is at their side within minutes instead of hours or days.

Technology

New assistive devices and technology are popping up daily.

Here are just a few:

• ElliQ– robotic companion
• Caretrainr– hired caregiver guide
• JinTronix– in home exercise and physical therapy video game
• StackCare– non-intrusive home monitoring system

My personal advice, as a fellow sandwich generation member, is to not stress.

There are plenty of ways to make life better for your parents and easier on you and your family. Stay tuned for more posts on ideas and thoughts.

-Courtney

P.S.

When I was younger I remember seeing my mom do everything as a mom and daughter. When I think back on those times, she was a magician…

Or maybe a child’s memory really just remembers the best of times!