Tips for “Sandwich Generation” Caregivers

Are you part of the “Sandwich Generation”? The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people between 40-60 years old who are caring for both young children and their senior parents. And the number of people in the Sandwich Generation is rising. Right now, approximately one in seven people are members of the Sandwich Generation.

It can be very difficult to juggle caring for small children at the same time you’re taking care of a senior parent. Add a career into that mix and it can be extremely stressful. If you’re stressed out and wondering how you’re going to be able to care for your kids, your senior parent, and yourself these tips can give you some inspiration and help:

Get Elder Care for Your Senior Parent

If your senior parent is living independently and you worry about their ability to safely live at home get elder care. With elder care, your senior parent will get regular visits from a caregiver who can help your parent with everything from laundry to running errands. An elder care provider will be there for your senior parent when you need to be at home with your kids or at work.

Establish Boundaries and Get Other Family Members to Help

Set clear boundaries to manage the demands of caregiving. Communicate openly with family members about your availability and limitations. Enlist the help of other family members to fill in when you can’t be there for your senior parent.  Establishing boundaries helps prevent overwhelming feelings and ensures that you can fulfill your responsibilities without neglecting your own needs.

Even if your siblings or other family members live far away, they can help. They can do a daily check-in phone call. They can send grocery deliveries or medicine deliveries. And they can video chat with your senior parent to help them avoid becoming isolated.

Create a Support System

You will need a good support system to handle all of your caregiving responsibilities. In addition to elder care, build a network of people you can call on if you’re overwhelmed. Neighbors, friends, other relatives, and professional care providers can all be part of your support network.

Invest in Technology

Take advantage of technology to streamline communication and coordination. Virtual tools like shared calendars, messaging apps, and video calls can help keep everyone on the same page, especially when managing the care of both older parents and children with busy schedules. You can also use security cameras to keep an eye on your senior parent at home, and you can help them stay safe at home by using smart plugs that can be controlled through the phone for appliances.

Stay Flexible

The only thing you can count on as a caregiver is that change and emergencies will happen. Remaining as flexible as possible is the only way to keep up with your responsibilities when there are problems like a child misses the bus or your senior parent needs to go to the emergency room. Keep your sense of humor, stay flexible, and rely on elder care and your support network. And don’t forget to breathe. You can do this.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Elder Care in South Sacramento, CA, please contact the caring staff at Aging Assistant today at (916) 897-4752