My company gives webinars on different topics. The full title is The Sandwich Generation: Managing your Career as a caregiver: Any misinformation is the fault of the note taker. This is a Fare Miller presentation.
- This presentation is geared toward employees handling kids under 18 or employees taking care of senior adults.
- Article from the New York Times. The sandwich generating pays a price: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/11/parenting/sandwich-generation-costs.html
- Thirty-two percent of 800 interviewed people had to make a financial sacrifice to take care of a family member.
- Some finances moved from utilities to meds etc.
- 5 million Adults in the U.S are dual caregivers and more likely to struggle with money problems, emotional trouble, and exhaustion.
- There is around-the-clock support. Sometimes she had to miss her own appointments.
- The American Physiology Assis: 40% of those in the age range 35-54 have the highest levels of stress as – caregivers.
- AP reported 83% of family relationships is the top source of stress as well as their own well-being.
- When you lose a family member, it creates a void. Sometimes it’s hard to get used to not being needed in that way as you were.
- Many people feel guilty when they have to ask for help from someone who can help. People finds it hard to take care of someone by themselves. You worry you can get the correct help for what your family member needs. When a family member dies under your watch, you feel guilty as well.
- Taking care of a needy family member can delay your personal or financial dreams.
- Sometimes we may feel angry or resentful of having to manage such care for the short or long term.
- You are not alone in your feelings.
APA offers some strategies to help.
- Identify your stresses.
- Recognize how you deal with stress. Are you using unhealthy behaviors to cope with stress?
- Is this specific to certain events or situations. Try to put those events into perspective.
- Prioritize and delegate responsibilities.
- Find healthy ways to manage your stress. Maybe a short walk, exercising or talking to someone.
- Unhealthy behavior can build up over time and can be difficult to change.
- Focus on changing one behavior at a time. Don’t do everything at once, like start dieting, exercising, reading a book a week, and cutting screen time in the same week. Don’t look at the bigger picture. Start with the little things.
- We often lose contact with our friends. You need to make time for yourself. This means maintaining contact with your friends.
- Contact professional help. And accept help from friends and family.
- Consider for your friends and family who are currently caregivers. You can offer a visit or dinner etc.
