“The Sandwich Generation” Challenges of Caring for.ppt

“The Sandwich Generation”: Challenges of Caring for Parents, Children, and Yourself,Dr. Katherine L. Fiori Derner Institute March 20th, 2012,“The Sandwich Generation”,The term describing a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006 Tend to be in the 40 to 65 years of age group, BUT.,Generation, or Situation?,“The Sandwich Situation”:Gender Differences,75% of caregivers for older adults are women Typical sandwich-situation member = working female caring for both aging parents and children Type of assistance provided Men financial support Women emotional support and daily tasks,Outline,Challenges (and joys) of midlife Truth or myth? (i.e., what does the research show?) A real life example Tips and tools Caring for your parents Caring for your children Caring for yourself,Challenges (and joys)of Midlife,Psychological A transition, not a crisis (for most) Questioning the past and facing the future (“generativity”) Increasing positive emotions More likely to accept who you are and feel more in charge of situations and responsibilities Physical Increasing body fat, high blood pressure, increasing cholesterol,“The Sandwich Situation”: Truth or Myth?,Brody (1981): “women in the middle” Theme of caregiving research But is it real? Debate: Is there really a high incidence and prevalence of this demographic? Are these multiple roles necessarily stressful, and/or could they be satisfying?,Demographic Trends,People live longer (more midlife adults have surviving parents) People delay marriage and having children Declines in fertility (fewer caregivers available) More adult children are choosing to live at home during college years Proportion of midlife women in the workforce has increased,The Sandwich Situation: Actual Prevalence/Incidence?,44% of married individuals aged 35 to 44 both live with children and have at least one parent in fair to poor health (Marks, 1998) 33.9 million Americans (16%) provide care for an older family member Parent care + dependent child + working = 8% of American women and men (Rosenthal et al., 1996),The Sandwich Situation: Actual Prevalence/Incidence?,A New York Times article from 2008 reported that there are 20 million Americans (mostly women) who are juggling responsibilities for their own children and their aging parents at the same time 53% of those women reported feeling forced to choose (at least once a week) between being there for their children or being there for their ailing parents Pew Research Center: 1 out of 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 are raising a child and caring for a parent Although the majority of adults are not “sandwiched,” it will likely become increasingly prevalent given current demographic trends,The Sandwich Situation: Good or Bad?,Holding multiple roles: Role strain theory vs. role enhancement theory vs. role context theory Role Context Theory Caregiving mastery for women in 50s and 60s, but not in late 60s and 70s For women, caregiving + work caregiving alone in terms of psychological well-being For men, help to parents distress, but less so when combined with employment; help to adult children and parents life satisfaction (women less affected by multiple roles, either positively or negatively),The Sandwich Situation: Good or Bad?,In sum, psychological health effects (negative or positive) are small Caring for parents, in particular, can be an unexpected, unpredictable, and frustrating stressor it is a nonnormative, unanticipated demand If the sandwich situation is viewed increasingly as normative, coping strategies may be positively influenced e.g., having a strong sense of support and care from community, using acceptance strategies, focusing on positive outcomes BUTrecent research shows that there may be negative health effects (Chassin et al., 2010),The Sandwich Situation: Good or Bad?,The not-so-good feelings of being in the sandwich Guilt, resentment, fear and anxiety, anger and frustration, confusion/ambivalence, depression/sadness Torn between love and resentment, between duty to parents and duty to spouses and children, between wanting to do the right thing and not wanting to change their lives The good feelings of being in the sandwich Honor, respect, pride/joy, love The wide range of emotions is common when caring for an aging parent and being “sandwiched”,A “real life” example,The Sandwich Generation,Tips and Tools: Caring for your Parents,Maladaptive functioning in adult relationship likely stems from maladaptive functioning in earlier relationship Forgiveness must be conscious effort (self-awareness, personal therapy, active reflection) Role reversal emotional turmoil Disappointment, anger, guilt Anxiety over parents mortality and worry about their own mortality,Tips and Tools: Caring for your Parents,Making decision about care location Put them in the drivers seat Let them parent you Bring in the experts If hiring a professional provider, get references, and contact them! If you dont have money to pay for professional help, and dont feel comfortable asking friends, turn to volunteers Churches, senior centers, 4H clubs, HS community service organizations, colleges that train nurses and social workers (like Adelphi!) Let volunteers sort mail, go grocery shopping, do laundry, pay social visits, help them at mealtime, drive them to appointments,Tips and Tools: Caring for your Parents,Be proactive Try to involve parent in day-to-day household tasks/chores, even if very simple Wiping off table after dinner “supervising” the children Scheduled/spontaneous activities with grandchildren “Special moment” each day, separate from children,Tips and Tools: Caring for your Parents,If parent is in an assisted-living center or nursing home, get to know other adult children with family members there Use online tools to get help with healthcare issues e.g., Web MD offers a “Ask the Dr. Checklist” Take advantage of assistive technology If insurance company says no, ask doctor to write a letter,Tips and Tools: Legal Intervention,Legal intervention may become necessary when parents can no longer handle their own financial and practical affairs Mentally competent parents (capable of making decisions and understanding consequences) Bank account held jointly with adult child Living trust or trust account with automatic inheritance Power of attorney Declaration of legal incompetence Guardian controls wards property and person Adults should specify in advance (i.e., in a will) the person they want to act as guardian in case of becoming mentally incompetent,Tips and Tools: Caring for your Parents with Dementia,Dementia: development of multiple cognitive deficits including memory impairment 12+ illnesses with similar symptoms but different causes (Alzheimers most common) Rate doubles every 5 years after age 75, with 8.5% of people ages 85 to 89 affected; mild dementia affects almost 30% after age 90 Researchers have found that a person who provides care for someone with dementia is twice as likely to suffer from depression as a person providing care for someone without dementia,Caregiver Burden,Tips and Tools: Caring for your Parents,To cope with impending loss: Stay in the moment Manage your own fears about death and dying (counseling?) Manage your own feelings about the past Express your love often, if you can Remember to say what needs to be said now Be with your parent where he/she is Celebrate small things Reminisce Find joy,Tips and Tools: Caring for Your Children,Talk with children and prepare them Need for support Future plans and adjustment Love Financial woes: being frugal, cutting costs, and teaching children a valuable lesson,Tips and Tools: Caring for Your Children,Take moments out to express how much you love and value your children (“special moment” each day) Sit with child at breakfast every morning (routine) Say a word of praise each morning Put a note in your childs backpack Have dinner consistently at the same time every night when possible Help with homework (dont nag) Assign chores, and give praise when they are done Have a consistent bedtime hour and sit with child when he/she goes to bed,Caring for your Children:Warning Signs,Pre-school/Elementary kids: Withdrawn Depressed Isolated (cant get them to open up) Regressive - thumb sucking, soiling Anxious - clingy, poor sleep/eating, irritable Frequent fighting/aggression/acting out,Caring for your Children:Warning Signs,Middle School (and beyond) Sleeping poorly, nightmares Depressed/withdrawn AVOIDANCE (school bus, lunch room, absenteeism) Anxious - pacing, nightmares Substance abuse Somatic complaints: headaches, stomachaches, visits to the RN office often Frequent fighting/aggression/acting out,1-800-LIFENET,Tips and Tools: Caring for Yourself,Dont be a martyr Self-pity is unhelpful (negativity does not change the situation, only depletes energy) Do not do it alone; ask for help! Why? Can provide an opportunity for relief (respite) The person who is asked will feel needed Caregiver will feel less isolated Recipient of help may benefit from having a “fresh” helper Let go of unreasonably high standards, if necessary Return favors (if you can) and give “thank you”s!,Tips and Tools: Good News about asking for Help,Research shows that caregivers with adequate community support report many dimensions of personal growth! More empathic, caring, understanding, patient, compassionate, closer to person they are caring for, more appreciative of own good health,Tips and Tools: Caring for Yourself,Take respite: yearly vacation, plus weekly and daily respite Nurture your partner Establish a routine but expect interruption Ask employer for more flexible work schedule, possibly leave provisions Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 Counseling, online support, self-help groups,Tips and Tools: Caring for Yourself Depression,Caregivers are at particular risk for mild to severe depression Symptoms: Change in eating habits (unwanted weight gain or loss) or sleep patterns (too much sleep or not enough); feeling tired all the time Loss of interest in people and/or activities that once brought you pleasure Becoming easily agitated or angered; feeling that nothing you do is good enough Thoughts of death or suicide, or attempting suicide Ongoing physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (e.g., headaches) 41% of women who experience symptoms do not seek treatment for depression because they are embarrassed or in denial Depression deserves to be treated with the same attention afforded any other illness, such as diabetes or high blood pressure; it is essential to seek help,“The Caregivers Creed”(Bertini, 2011),I have choice. I will put myself first. I will take time for myself and my partner. I will establish a routine. I will ask for help. I can say yes, maybe, later, or no. I will pay attention to my own feelings and needs. I will remind myself that this is my one life to live. ? (personal),Tips and Tools: Balancing Act,Do not segregate dual responsibilities Organization is key (schedules and routines) Appreciate those who care Small gifts, thank yous Hold family meetings Encourage open communication between children and elders Grandparent/grandchild activities,Summary: Five Survival Tips,Draw strength from your faith Set aside time for yourself Seek family support Talk to your employer Get professional assistance,Thank you!,Dr. Katherine L. Fiori fioriadelphi.edu Questions?,