Caregiving Relief for the Sandwich Generation

Caregiving demands a lot of time, money, and energy. Studies show that many of these caregivers spend more than 50 hours a week balancing childcare and eldercare, which can lead to exhaustion and stress. Fortunately, help is available.

Senior care professionals, such as Aging Life Care Managers®, home care providers, and nursing facilities, specialize in supporting families through these challenges. Their role is to handle the practical aspects of care so family caregivers can focus on their family and career.

If you are one of these caregivers, here’s what senior care professionals can do for you:

• Coordinating comprehensive care: They connect you with trusted caregivers, manage medical appointments, coordinate therapies, and assist in exploring housing and support options that best fit your loved one’s needs.
• Managing day-to-day responsibilities: From medication schedules and insurance paperwork to personal care and household needs, they handle essential tasks that can otherwise overwhelm families.
• Providing expert guidance and planning: They offer informed advice on care decisions, financial and legal resources, long-term planning, and help navigate complex healthcare systems.
• Facilitating family communication and collaboration: Serving as neutral mediators, they help families align expectations, clarify roles, and maintain healthy relationships during challenging times.
• Responding effectively in emergencies: Whether it’s sudden health changes or unexpected crises, they offer timely support and problem-solving to keep your loved one safe and stable.

Working with senior care professionals allows you to step back from constant caregiving tasks. This support gives you space to be the daughter, son, spouse, or parent you want to be. It also helps reduce stress, avoid burnout, and reclaim valuable time for what matters most.

For example, James is a marketing professional and father to two active teenagers. When his mother was diagnosed with early-stage dementia, he quickly felt overwhelmed trying to balance her care with his job and family life. Bringing in a senior care professional helped coordinate his mother’s needs and brought the family together with a clear plan. Now, James can support his mother while still being fully present for his children and his career.

If you are balancing the needs of aging parents and your own family, know that support exists. Senior care professionals can guide you through the complexities of caregiving and help restore balance in your life.

Disclaimer: The story of James is a fictional example created to illustrate how senior care professionals can support families.