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ElderCare Q&A
Q: Is there help for the "sandwich generation"?
A: Yes. The "sandwich" refers to the middle-aged generation that has both elderly parents and dependent children. They are squeezed between the demands of caring for their elderly parents, and supporting their dependent children. A study released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that sandwich generation women in the age range of 45 to 56 years old annually transfer a total of $18 billion to children and elders, and spend 2.4 billion hours a year helping their kids and their parents. There are roughly 20 million women in this age group. The study found that it is not very common (1%) for women to be living with their parents and their kids in a three generation household, but nearly 16% of this age group either had a parent living with them, or gave their parents on average $1,124, and spent 1,008 hours or more helping their parent with personal care. More than 80% of the sandwich women gave an average of $6,263 to their kids, and 74% gave $1,521 to their parents. 80% spent 23 hours a week helping their kids, and 30% gave 26 hours a week to their kids. Research shows that the sandwich generation gives more money to their kids, but more hours of assistance to their parents. "It is apparent," the study said, "that a sizable minority of women in this age group are spending a lot of time and money supporting their parents." Sandwich generation women are more likely to be married, not part of the workforce, and to be wealthier than other women their same age. But marriage is no longer considered to be a major factor in being in the sandwich generation. Income and not having to work are more common factors for the sandwich group. It would be wrong to see the sandwich generation as a new phenomenon, but there has been increased attention paid to this group, in part because as life-expectancy increases, middle-aged people tend to have parents who are still alive. Women are also having children at later ages, so they are being parents at an older age. They are also more likely to be working outside of the home. Perhaps most important, the baby boom generation---by virtue of its size alone---draws more media attention to this problem. More and more sandwich generation members are realizing that they don't have to carry the full burden of caring for children and elders alone. In Massachusetts, caregivers can get help in assessing what eldercare or respite services they might be eligible for, and strategies for balancing family obligations. Call 1-800 Age Info, press "3" and ask for the "Family Caregivers" program in your area. Just because you're in the sandwich generation, doesn't mean your complex responsibilities have to chew you up. © December 2006
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