It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when you are caring for both your parents and your children. You are referred to as the sandwich generation because you are in the middle of two generations that need your care. Some tips from other caregivers who’ve had to learn to manage in similar situations may help you out, so this article will give you some caregiving tips to relieve stress.

There are over 50 million Americans right now who are in the same situation you are. You may feel squeezed inside this sandwich of caring. Some families even have a triple-decker sandwich going on where there are 40 year old adults with their own children still at home and 70 year old parents who have health problems and 90 year old grandparents who also require care.

Family caregiving usually begins slowly. You provide assistance for your parents by driving them to their doctor appointments and to the grocery store. Then you might be doing their laundry because they can’t navigate their basement stairs anymore. Soon you are also making meals and helping to clean house. The amount of care elderly parents need usually increases with time rather than decreases.

Did you know that using an in-home care service is a good way to take some of the load off your shoulders? You still need time with your family members, you may be holding down a job, and social life is also important. With all these things going on, there simply isn’t enough time in a day to get all of them done. Home care services can provide your parents with a caregiver that’s well suited to them. Their caregiver can do all the running around to take them to doctor’s appointments, grocery shopping, help them make meals and help them do their laundry.

Here are some other tips that could help you:

• Remember that most people can’t shoulder all the caregiving responsibilities on their own. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone.
• Keep stress levels down by making sure you take personal time for yourself. You can do a hobby, go out with friends, catch up on your sleep, spend time with other family members, etc.
• Keep your life as organized as possible. Plan out a week in advance so important events don’t get missed or forgotten.
• Accept help from everyone who offers it. Instead of telling them thank you when they offer and then forgetting about it because you don’t know how they can help, give them some options to choose from and tell them you’ll call them later. Remember to call them later, they’ll be counting on it.
• Connect with resources in your community. Find out what’s going on at senior centers, adult day services etc. so you can use their services when you need them.

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Jay Bloodsworth

Owner at A Better Living Home Care

I started A Better Living Home Care Agency after seeing the impersonal and inconsistent service of large home care companies and franchises in the Greater Sacramento Area. I know, because I once worked for one. I left to put the “personal” back into home care.

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