Sandwich Generation
Sandwich Generation Notes
I. What is the Sandwich Generation:
• The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children.
• The key objective of The Sandwich Generation® is to help family and professional geriatric caregivers increase their understanding of elder issues, better handle often emotional elder care responsibilities and reduce the stress of care giving.
• Carol Abaya categorized the different scenarios involved in being a part of the sandwich generation.
1. Traditional: those sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children. 2. Club Sandwich: those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, or those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents. 3. Open Faced: anyone else involved in elder care.
II. Why is there a Sandwich Generation
• Why we are experiencing more of a Sandwich Generation:
There are several trends which in society that have combined to bring this about.
1. We are facing increased marriage breakdown
2. Couples are putting off having children until later in their lives 3. Kids are leaving home later than the did in the past 4. The population over the age of 65 is growing rapidly 5. The cost of professional care is rising
III. Who is affected by the Sandwich Generation
• The vast majority of caregivers are women.
1. 70% work full-time outside the home.
2. Almost 20% of working women have either reduced the number of hours they work, taken advantage of flex-time, or quit working to stay home and care for an elder.
3. Typical American Sandwich Generation Caregiver is in her mid-forties, married, employed and cares for her family and an elderly parent, usually her mother.
• Research
I. What is the Sandwich Generation:
• The Sandwich Generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children.
• The key objective of The Sandwich Generation® is to help family and professional geriatric caregivers increase their understanding of elder issues, better handle often emotional elder care responsibilities and reduce the stress of care giving.
• Carol Abaya categorized the different scenarios involved in being a part of the sandwich generation.
1. Traditional: those sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children. 2. Club Sandwich: those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, or those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents. 3. Open Faced: anyone else involved in elder care.
II. Why is there a Sandwich Generation
• Why we are experiencing more of a Sandwich Generation:
There are several trends which in society that have combined to bring this about.
1. We are facing increased marriage breakdown
2. Couples are putting off having children until later in their lives 3. Kids are leaving home later than the did in the past 4. The population over the age of 65 is growing rapidly 5. The cost of professional care is rising
III. Who is affected by the Sandwich Generation
• The vast majority of caregivers are women.
1. 70% work full-time outside the home.
2. Almost 20% of working women have either reduced the number of hours they work, taken advantage of flex-time, or quit working to stay home and care for an elder.
3. Typical American Sandwich Generation Caregiver is in her mid-forties, married, employed and cares for her family and an elderly parent, usually her mother.
• Research