Navigating the Sandwich Generation – Raising Children While Caring for Aging Parents
Submitted by Mary Anne Roberto,
The Co-founder of
Always Home Connected
What it Means to Raise Children While Caring for Aging Parents
The Dual Role of the Sandwich Generation
The term sandwich generation refers to individuals—typically in their 30s to 50s—who are simultaneously caring for their children and for aging parents or relatives. It’s a balancing act that can be both beautiful and overwhelming.
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of adults in this age group report being responsible for both child-rearing and elder care. That number is only expected to rise as people live longer and as many adults delay having children until later in life. The result? A whole generation “sandwiched” between the competing demands of dependent children and increasingly dependent parents
One of the most poignant examples comes from a Business Insider article profiling a 29-year-old woman who became a new mother just months before her father was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Suddenly, she was changing diapers in one room and managing neurologist appointments in the next. “The mental load is constant,” she told reporters. “You’re parenting two generations with completely different needs.”
The Emotional and Physical Impact
The Emotional and Physical ImpactThe emotional toll of being a sandwich generation caregiver cannot be overstated. These caregivers are often pulled in several directions at once, facing pressure to stay productive at work, be emotionally available for their children, and manage the complex medical and emotional needs of aging loved ones.
According to the National Institutes of Health, sandwich generation caregivers report higher levels of stress and depression than those caring for only one generation. Chronic stress can lead to health issues such as anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure, and even a weakened immune system.
“Sometimes I’m afraid to open my email or answer the phone,” one caregiver confided in a MarketWatch report, “because it usually means something else is going wrong.”
That same MarketWatch article highlighted that sandwich generation caregivers often spend more than 20 hours a week providing unpaid care for parents, on top of full-time jobs and child care. Many report feeling like they’re failing at everything—even when they’re doing the best they possibly can.
Financial Pressure: The Hidden Burden
The financial implications of sandwich caregiving are profound. Many people in this group are in their peak earning years—yet they may be draining savings, reducing work hours, or turning down promotions in order to meet caregiving responsibilities.
In the MarketWatch feature, researchers found that sandwich generation caregivers are spending thousands of dollars annually out-of-pocket to cover things like medications, home modifications, elder transportation, and childcare. And this doesn’t include lost wages or missed career opportunities.
The emotional and financial toll together can be crushing. In the Business Insider profile, the young mom and caregiver admitted she had to return to work just six weeks after giving birth—not for ambition, but because her family needed the health insurance. She also started seeing a therapist to manage anxiety, something she says she “couldn’t afford not to do.”
Strategies for Coping and Finding Support
Despite the weight of responsibility, caregivers can and do find ways to cope—and even thrive. Experts at the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, and NIH recommend the following strategies to navigate sandwich caregiving:
1. 
Create a Care Plan: Map out the needs of both generations. Create calendars, medication lists, and a realistic division of labor.
2. Ask for Help and Delegate: Bring in siblings, hire part-time care, or rotate responsibilities with a spouse or partner.
3. Explore Employer Benefits: Some workplaces offer flexible hours, caregiver leave, or Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
4. Financial Counseling: Consider speaking to a financial advisor who specializes in caregiving families.
5. Don’t Neglect Your Own Health: Schedule your own check-ups, eat well, sleep, and consider talking to a mental health professional.
The Future of the Sandwich Generation
Demographers and public health experts agree: the sandwich generation isn’t going away. As longevity increases and the cost of living continues to rise, we will likely see more multigenerational households and more adults juggling care for kids and parents simultaneously.
What this generation needs—urgently—is validation and support. We must push for policies that include paid family leave, tax credits for caregivers, increased funding for respite programs, and better workplace flexibility.
The good news? By sharing their stories and seeking help, sandwich generation caregivers are already changing the conversation.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re a member of the sandwich generation, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. You’re carrying an enormous load—and doing your best. But you don’t have to do it alone. Resources are available, and support is closer than you think.
Here are a few places to start:
– Alzheimer’s Association: https://www.alz.org
– Alzheimer’s Los Angeles: https://www.alzheimersla.org
– National Institutes of Health (Caregiving Info): https://www.nih.gov
– The Memory Connection: https://www.thememoryconnection.org
– Elder-Well Santa Monica: https://www.elderwelladultday.com
Cited Sources Used in This Blog
Business Insider: “A 29-year-old became a new mom and months later, caregiver to her dad with Alzheimer’s…” (https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-caregiver-baby-father-alzheimers-sandwich-generation-2025-4)
→ Used for the real-life story and quote about parenting two generations.
Forbes: The ‘Sandwich Generation’ Is Financially Taking Care Of Their Parents, Kids And Themselves (https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2023/02/24/the-sandwich-generation-is-financially-taking-care-of-their-parents-kids-and-themselves/)
→ Cited for statistics on caregiving time and financial burden
National Library of Medicine: A National Profile of Sandwich Generation Caregivers Providing Care to Both Older Adults and Children [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10023280/]
→ Cited for characteristics of Adult Child Caregivers
Submitted by Mary Anne Roberto,
The Co-founder of Always Home Connected
About The Author
Mary Anne Roberto is a passionate advocate for individuals experiencing cognitive changes and the caregivers who support them. As a Dementia Care Specialist (C.D.S.), RCFE, CNA, and Certified Positive Approach to Care Consultant, she has dedicated her career to raising awareness about dementia and empowering caregivers with the tools, resources, and compassion needed to navigate daily challenges.
Mary Anne is the Owner and CEO of Elder-Well® Adult Day Program in Santa Monica, California—a dementia-friendly enrichment and activity center providing non-medical, supportive care for older adults. She is also the co-founder of Always Home Connected, an e-commerce platform offering dementia-friendly products, and The Memory Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on delivering resources and support to caregivers, particularly those facing financial hardship or caring for loved ones in underserved communities.
