The catch phrase says it all. Adult children who are caring for their parents while also raising their own family are known as “the sandwich generation.” These caregivers find themselves pulled in many directions by caring for a parent, raising their children, keeping their marriage healthy and often holding down a job as well.
On top of all this, adult caregivers are thrust into the awkward and often unwanted position of feeling like they’re parenting their own parents. It can be unsettling to find yourself in this role and this reversal in the parenting role can give rise to stress for both parents and caregivers.
A recent survey by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) found that an estimated 22.4 million U.S. households, nearly one in four, are providing care to someone age 50 or older or have provided care during the previous 12 months.
As these caregivers have discovered, it takes a lot of time, energy and patience to care for an aging loved one and often it can seem like all of these attributes are in short supply. It’s not surprising, then, that guilt coupled with resentment are prevalent emotions among caregivers.
With all these added stressors, experts emphasize the importance of caretakers looking after their own physical and emotional health. You can’t take care of someone else without taking care of yourself first. This involves getting help from others, whether it’s from siblings, a support group or a health care service.
The staff of home-care agencies like Visiting Angels understand this need. These companies provide non-medical caregivers who go into clients’ homes to offer companionship, do light housekeeping and assist with personal care needs, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping, all services that can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.
For more information, please call Visiting Angels at 661-263-2273.