Tips for Sandwich Generation Caregivers

Are you a caregiver for a senior loved one? You aren’t alone. It’s a scenario more people are finding themselves in as the average age of the U.S. population continues to climb. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, nearly 34.2 million people in this country have provided care to a family member aged 50 or older in the last year. Globally, that number is projected to increase every year through 2050.

In addition to caring for a senior family member, many people also work outside the home and have children of their own. Those in this situation are referred to as sandwich generation caregivers. Trying to juggle so many important roles and responsibilities presents a variety of challenges. The result can be long, stressful days, which often negatively impacts the caregiver’s personal well-being.

What can you do to make your years as a sandwich generation caregiver more manageable and to protect your own health while caring for a loved one? We have a few tips to help you navigate this demanding schedule.

Survival Tips for Sandwich Generation Caregivers

• Set priorities and boundaries: When someone you hold dear is experiencing a decline in health, you may strive to provide the most perfect care possible. It can be a setup for family caregivers to hold themselves to unrealistic standards. A better approach may be prioritizing the most important things and giving yourself permission to compromise in other areas. Equally essential is setting boundaries for what you do and don’t feel comfortable or confident doing. Many adult children draw the line at giving a parent of the opposite sex a shower or assisting with other personal needs. Give yourself permission to do only those tasks you and your parent feel comfortable with, and try to find a professional caregiver to support other needs.
• Seek and accept help: Adult children and spouses often feel duty bound to handle all the caregiving responsibilities on their own. They may doubt an outsider’s ability to care for their loved one as well as they do. While that is a noble goal, it’s rarely achievable. When friends and family members offer to lend a hand, say yes instead of no. Easy tasks to ask for help with include running errands, picking up prescriptions, or sitting with the senior while you take a break. If you don’t have anyone close who can help, call your local office of the Area Agency on Aging. The staff will likely be able to provide you with some suggestions.
• Organize paperwork and appointments: The appointments and volume of paperwork that come with caregiving can be difficult to keep up with. That can leave you feeling disorganized and anxious that you are missing something important. One of the best ways to reduce stress is to establish systems that give you peace of mind. Some caregivers like a manual system that utilizes binders and calendars. Others find technology to be a better solution. This article reviews a few caregiver apps to explore.
• Commit to self-care: Sandwich generation caregivers often put their own health on the back burner, from eating poorly to neglecting to schedule an annual physical and skipping important medical screenings. It might feel like eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise are luxuries, not necessities. Unfortunately, a lack of good self-care catches up with people. It can put a family caregiver at risk for problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Explore respite and adult day programs: Working, raising a family, and caring for a senior is tough to do without regular help. While it’s great to be able to turn to friends and loved ones for assistance, exploring professional options may be necessary. Home care agencies and assisted living communities often have respite care services that are designed to give caregivers a break. Another avenue to consider is an adult day program. The senior goes to a day center while the caregiver is working. Some even offer transportation to and from the house.
  

Invest in a Mobile Monitoring Unit

One final suggestion for busy caregivers is to invest in a mobile monitoring unit for your family member. Your senior loved one can slip this discreet unit in their pocket. In the event of an emergency, they simply press a button to be connected to help. The peace of mind it will bring you could be a true stress buster.

Call 1-844-203-5617 to learn more today!