In 2006, Charles Pierret—Director of Longitudinal Studies with the Office of Employment and Unemployment—published a report in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Monthly Labor Review. In this reports, he spends a great deal of time describing the so-called ‘sandwich generation’—a term that describes “the middle-aged generation who have elderly parents and dependent children.” While his report provides an in-depth look at the characteristics of this generation that includes details about ages, household sizes, and incomes, this mass of information cannot hope to adequately capture the daily life of primary caregiver who tends to the needs of both older and younger dependents.
Needless to say, if you’re part of this generation and you find yourself providing care to more than one dependent—especially if one of those dependents has Alzheimer’s—then a report full of statistics likely won’t do much in the way of providing the support you need to manage your ever-rising levels of stress. Truly, the stress associated with providing care and/or financial support to both your children and your parents can take its toll. Caring for both sets of loved ones can be so overwhelming that primary caregivers often suffer from depression, anxiety, and even physical illness.
As such, while a report full of statistics may help you realize you’re not alone, you may be better off contacting others who have found themselves in similar circumstances. By discussing your concerns with individuals who’ve shared your trials, tribulations, and other experiences, you can improve your chances of developing the skills you need to successfully manage as a primary caregiver.
