Have you ever heard of the term “The Sandwich Generation”?
This designation - coined in 1981 by social workers and officially recognized by Merriam-Webster in 2006 - describes the position of being “sandwiched” with the responsibilities of caring for both your children and your parents.
Though not necessarily a household term, it’s a group the average family may likely find itself in - you’re somewhere in your forties or fifties and you’re handling the costs of living and housing for two sets of loved ones in your life.
It’s estimated that there are at least 50 million people in the United States who could be considered as part of the Sandwich Generation, with 70% of this group between the ages of 41 and 59.
We work with many Sandwich Generation clients and have learned a great deal about the stress they go through trying to balance work, life, and taking care of their families. These clients experience a constant push-and-pull - they’re often overwhelmed by the costs of putting their children through college and also making sure their parents have an appropriate place to live. The amount of unpaid hours per week devoted to taking care of two different sets of family members cannot be understated. Not only is it an anxiety-producing circumstance, it’s also just plain exhausting.
So what can you do if you find yourself sandwiched?
Utilize your resources.
Asking for help is the first step. There’s no shame in outsourcing the task of finding your elderly parent housing - you’re only one person, and you deserve some breathing room.
At Coastal Transitions, we do the legwork finding the perfect assisted living facility for your parent so that you can focus more on the other areas of your life. Our expert knowledge of facilities throughout Maine allows us to find your parent the best fit for their particular needs, while also keeping financial considerations in mind.
It’s important to remember that there are resources available and asking for help is an important part of managing everything life throws at us.
Do you have questions? We love to help families navigate through the process of securing a caring place for their parents to transition.
Contact us today at 207-569-3283 or email us at info@coastaltransitionsofmaine.com.