Caring Across Generations: Understanding The Sandwich Generation

At 7 a.m., Amanda is packing school lunches while answering a call from her mom’s doctor. By noon, she’s scheduling a parent-teacher conference and coordinating prescription refills. After dinner, she helps the kids with homework before checking in on her mom for the night.

Millions of adults have found themselves caught between raising their children and supporting aging parents at the same time, and often under the same roof. While multigenerational caregiving can be deeply meaningful, it also comes with emotional, financial, and logistical challenges.

In this article, we’ll explore the “sandwich generation,” common struggles these family caregivers face, and practical tips to help make this season of life more manageable and sustainable.

What is the sandwich generation?

According to research, over half of Americans in their 40s have a parent 65 or older, as well as a child younger than 18 or a child over 18 to whom they provide financial support.¹ This demographic is commonly known as the sandwich generation. They are “sandwiched” between two very different sets of needs, both requiring time, energy, money, and emotional support.

In the age of modern healthcare, older adults are living longer. In fact, a 65-year-old today lives, on average, nearly 20 more years.² However, many seniors lack the financial resources needed to afford the long-term care they need. At the same time, many young adults are reaching financial independence later than previous generations, meaning parents are often supporting adult children longer—just as those same adult children begin caring for their aging parents. As a result, many adults are now finding themselves balancing careers, household and parenting responsibilities, finances, and the demands of caring for both their parents and dependent children.

In many ways, there is power in helping aging loved ones maintain dignity and independence as they get older. People in the sandwich generation often find deep meaning in the opportunity to give back to the people who once cared for them while continuing to shape the next generation of their family.

But it can also feel like living in two worlds at once, bringing tremendous stress, burnout, and even resentment, making awareness, self-care, and open conversations more important than ever.

Who makes up the sandwich generation?

Americans in their 40s are the most likely to be part of the sandwich generation, but several other age groups and demographic groups are in the same situation. While women make up 65% of “sandwiched” adults, people across racial and ethnic groups also have a high likelihood of being in the sandwich generation, with some slight nuances by level of education, income, and marital status.^1,3

For instance, married adults are about 10% more likely to be in the sandwich generation than adults who are divorced or separated, and adults with at least a bachelor’s degree are about 10% more likely than those with some college education or less.³

The biggest determinant, however, is age. The following breakdown shows the percentage of people in the sandwich generation by age group:

• Ages 18-29: 6%
• Ages 30-39: 27%
• Ages 40-49: 54%
• Ages 50-59: 36%
• Ages 60 and up: 7%³

Common challenges

Whether 29 or 52, married or separated, college graduate or not, members of the sandwich generation have one thing in common: stress. Recent studies show 72% of the sandwich generation report high levels of caregiver stress.³ From the emotional role reversal of providing care for a parent to the financial strain of care costs, even the most organized, resilient people can feel the weight of challenges such as:

• Less time to themselves. Sandwich-generation caregivers spend an average of 20 hours per week providing direct care, and about 25% spend more than 40 hours per week.³ When organizing doctors’ appointments and managing medications for a parent while also making sure the kids get to school on time and experience an enriching childhood, it can feel impossible to make time for anything else.
• Complex emotions. It’s not uncommon for people in this situation to feel a sense of guilt or self-doubt, worried they’re unable to provide the level of care their parents require while also giving their children the attention they need.
• Managing logistics. Life truly becomes a balancing act when there is no one else to look after Mom at home while the kids go to soccer practice. Sandwich-generation adults often find themselves trying to be in two places at once or making compromises between two significant responsibilities. 
• Financial strain. Sandwich-generation households spend about $15,000 per year on care costs.³ Possibly the biggest shared hurdle for the sandwich generation, the financial responsibilities of multigenerational caregiving can feel insurmountable. This is especially true if the aging parents don’t have sufficient retirement resources or savings to cover their needs.
• Family disputes. Responsibilities and big decisions often intersect across generations. Differences in opinions about caregiving roles, medical decisions, and finances can create tension and add strain to an already demanding season of life. These conversations become even more difficult if siblings have different expectations about how care should be provided and how responsibilities should be shared across the family.
• Unrealistic expectations. Many adults take on the caregiver role out of obligation or because cultural or environmental expectations have pushed them into it. Even when tremendous love and respect are part of the equation, this dynamic can later lead to resentment, bitterness, or worry that the family’s expectations won’t be met.

Helpful tips for sandwich-generation stress

• Plan and delegate. Planning ahead and delegating tasks as much as possible can help lighten your load and greatly reduce stress. It may help to create a shared calendar, identify tasks that others can help with, and not shy away from accepting support from friends and neighbors. You might be surprised at how much they’re willing to help out.
• Prioritize self-care. Unfortunately, about 58% of sandwich generation adults report poor health.³ It’s important to remember that caregivers need to prioritize their own well-being in order to provide quality care for others. Sandwich-generation caregivers should try to find small moments throughout the day to care for themselves, boost their inner strength, and keep pushing forward. 
• Set boundaries. By setting healthy boundaries, caregivers can better protect their time and energy while continuing to support their loved ones. Learn to recognize your limits and remember that saying no to additional responsibilities can make it possible to show up more fully where it matters most.
• Talk to a therapist. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness or failure. It can be a tool for building resilience and mental clarity. Speaking with a therapist regularly can help sandwich-generation caregivers process difficult emotions and navigate the complexities of caring for multiple generations.
• Consider getting a pet. This may initially seem like adding one more responsibility to an already full plate, but it can also bring meaningful benefits like companionship and stress reduction. In fact, 62% of sandwich-generation adults have said that having a pet has helped with caregiving stress.³
• Acknowledge all that you’ve done. Take a step back and shift your focus from what needs to be done to what you have accomplished. Recognizing your own achievements, big or small, can help build perspective and remind you of the meaningful impact you’re making in your parents’ and your children’s lives every day.
• Use respite resources. Everyone, even the most dedicated caregivers, needs a break now and then. Accepting support through respite care can help prevent burnout and make caregiving more sustainable in the long-term.
• Watch out for signs of caregiver stress. According to Mayo Clinic, how caregivers manage their stress can greatly affect their own health and well-being, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Telltale signs of excessive stress can include feeling burdened, sleeping too much or too little, gaining or losing weight, and losing interest in activities.⁴ If you notice these symptoms of burnout, talk to your doctor.

How HomeWell can help

No one should feel like they have to navigate family caregiving alone. If at any point you need additional support, our caregivers are here to help. With care plans tailored to your needs and those of your family, we can help put a support system in place that allows you to spend less time managing tasks and more time making memories with the people you love.

Sources

1. Horowitz, J. M. (2022, April 8). “More Than Half of Americans in Their 40s are ‘Sandwiched’ Between an Aging Parent and Their Own Children.”  Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/04/08/more-than-half-of-americans-in-their-40s-are-sandwiched-between-an-aging-parent-and-their-own-children/
2. Xu J.Q., Murphy S.L., Kochanek K.D., Arias E. (2026, January 29). “Mortality in the United States, 2024.” National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db548.htm
3. Keller, S., Galbraith, F. (2026, July 9). “Sandwich Generation Statistics.” Worldmetrics. https://worldmetrics.org/sandwich-generation-statistics/
4. Mayo Clinic. (2023, April 9). “Caregiver Stress: Tips for Taking Care of Yourself.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784