Tom and Jill Hanson is a typical couple in their mid-forties leading busy lives dealing with work, personal needs and caring for their three young children. Lots of couples do these days one might remark. But where the situation becomes more frenetic is the fact that both Hanson’s must care for two sets of aging parents as well as their own children. As people are living longer the Baby Boomer generation is finding itself frequently “sandwiched” between meeting the needs of at least two generations and in some cases three.

“We certainly have found ourselves having to schedule time for the needs and activities for both our parents and our children in order to make sure that we try to help everyone,” said Ms. Hanson. “It makes for a crazy lifestyle trying to fit it all in. We are constantly trying to find alternatives to make sure that no one is left out from taking our parents to doctors appointments to driving our kids to soccer practice,” added Ms. Hanson.

According to the some reports more than 1 out of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is raising a child and caring for an elderly parent. Moreover, between 7 and 10 million adults care for their parent’s long distance a sobering statistic that makes the reality of dealing with both generations a tougher one. The Sandwich Generation responsibilities are expected to increase as the number of older Americans (those 65 or older) is expected to double by 2030 to more than 70 million according to the US Census Bureau.

“Healthcare and home care for aging parents remain two of the biggest challenges for the Sandwich Generation,” said Angela Allen, President of Sacramento-based Advanced Home Health. “We have seen a marked increase in the number of Baby Boomers looking for help in dealing with these two areas for their parents,” added Allen.

Advanced Home Health provides in-depth home health related services and care/support for seniors as well as Baby Boomers since 1982.

“We have seen the trend toward the Sandwich Generation phenomena increase over the last two decades,” said Allen. “I expect this pattern to remain strong as the demographics for both Boomers and their aging parents continue to increase to the positive,” said Allen.

While meeting the needs of both generations Sandwich Generation Boomers are of course finding their own time limited. More and more couples have had to forgo many of their own needs in order to meet those of others. “I’m constantly looking for ways to save time, combine trips and see if I can get other parents to help out or “double up” relative to our kids activities,” said Ms. Hanson. “If I can get a parent to reciprocate on trips to soccer practice and switch off driving I will. So far the strategy seems to be working allowing for some occasional extra time for my husband and me,” said Ms. Hanson.

Experts tend to agree that aside from trying to do it all the Sandwich Generation needs to leave time for their own health and well being.

“In trying to deal with it all if Sandwich Generation couples do not save time for themselves they are less effective in terms of dealing with all the demands that are being placed on them,” said Allen. “It is a good idea to seek out sources of support in the community that can help alleviate the demands on one’s time while still meeting the needs of aging parents and young children,” added Allen.

Advanced Home Health, Inc one of the area’s leading providers of home health care serving the community since 1982. They are fully accredited and committed to meeting and exceeding the highest standards of excellence for home health care. They can be reached at 916-978-0744 or www.ahhsac.com.