Nearly 66 million Americans are part of a growing statistic known as the "Sandwich Generation." Many of us may not need an explanation given to us about what this means, we are the definition. The term refers to individuals who are faced with the often daunting task of caring for both their dependent children and one or both of their aging parents.  The average Sandwich Generation caregiver is 45 to 55 years old, working a full-time or part-time job and spending almost 20 hours per week performing caregiver duties. 

Karen Truman, President of Dementia Caregiver Resources, says that the most common concerns for these caregivers include managing multiple schedules and appointments without becoming resentful of the ones they care for, facing difficulty in discussing financial issues, and arranging for reliable professional caregiver resources. The following are three recommendations to infuse personal peace and life balance into the midst of the complex role of the Sandwich Generation caregiver.

Put Yourself on the Schedule

A common pitfall of caring for others, is the habit to put your own needs last.  While scheduling the doctor's appointments, school functions and other assorted schedule demands of those you care for, make sure to schedule peaceful time to do something good for yourself.  Take a yoga class. Go for a walk. Call an old friend.  Even if you only find thirty minutesnippets for personal time, you will quickly discover that it will improve your demeanor towards those you love.

Share Professional Knowledge and Resources

It can be awkward to approach a conversation about finances or managing other sensitive areas of life.  Rather than being the only voice your loved one hears, seek out blogs, audio records, television shows or publications that may present the same information in a more neutral setting.  By sharing professional knowledge from a variety of resources, you can present your concerns without having to make it seem like you are forcing a difficult discussion.  

Create a Professional Caregiver Screening System

As the expression goes, "good help is hard to find."  This may feel especially true when screening reliable professional caregivers or adult day care facilities for your loved one.  Organizing a list of questions in advance and a "must have" list can help conserve time and energy in screening candidates.  You may also consider utilizing a caregiver matching service which will filter candidates by your budget, requirements and specialized needs.

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