It’s a role that many parents find themselves in, caring for young children while also looking after their own moms and dads.
This generation has been dubbed the “sandwich generation”.
According to the Pew Research Center, about one-in-seven middle-aged adults is providing financial support for their aging parent AND a child.

“Caring for an aging parent while juggling work and raising a family can be physically and emotionally challenging,” said Dr. Frank N. Deus, MD, Peoples Health Chief Medical Officer. “It can seem—and actually be—impossible to take care of everyone’s varying needs all the time. And if your parent has serious health conditions, that further complicates things.”
 
The reality for many families is that compromises are made.
“My daughter visits twice a month,” said Gail Strickland a resident at Metairie Manor, an independent living facility for seniors that’s managed by Christopher Homes.
Strickland says the visits have been less frequent since the birth of her great-grandchild. Her daughter is caring for the infant while her parents are working.
“She works from home, and will start bringing the baby to see me now that the baby is getting older,” said Strickland about her daughter.
She believes that since her daughter is nearby she’s able to see her more often, and that distance and reliable transportation plays a big role in someone’s ability to help care for an aging parent. Strickland says, “She takes me to the store and was taking me to the doctor.”
Medical professionals have some advice for those who are trying to take care of an aging parent and young children. Dr. Frank N. Deus says, “You simply can’t do everything on your own and still have time to take care of yourself. If you don’t regularly recharge your physical and mental reserves, it will be nearly impossible to properly care for your family.”
 
To manage stress Dr. Deus recommends:

• Exercise, eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep. This is the crux of practicing self-care, along with seeing your doctor regularly for preventive care visits.
• Take regular mental health breaks and occasional longer respite breaks. For short breaks, allow yourself at least one activity a day solely for yourself. It could be watching a favorite TV show, reading, meditating or taking a yoga class. Enlist the help of relatives for longer respite breaks. You deserve a vacation, too.
• Prioritize your tasks. If you need to, hire someone to babysit the kids or help with housework. Even if you do this only once in a while, it can go a long way toward making tasks manageable.
• Educate yourself on any chronic health conditions you may have to manage for your parent. This way, you know what to expect. It may also relieve some of the burden to talk with your parent sooner rather than later about advance care planning to know his or her long-term choices for medical care. Explore resource documents, like Louisiana Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment (LaPOST), to record choices.
• Join a caregiver support group. Having a strong support network is vital to meeting the demands of care. Groups provide a place to express concerns and frustrations, get tips, and find comfort in shared experiences.