Cecily O'Connor
RedwoodAge.com
Anyone providing care to an elderly relative knows intimately the anxiety and stress that comes with the job.
Asking for help sounds like an easy solution, but caregivers - most of whom are women - are reluctant to find assistance or don't know where to turn.
So-called sandwich generation women - those between the ages of 35 and 54 who shoulder responsibilities for their children and older relatives - are not prepared for many aspects of their aging relatives' care, according to a survey of 1,400 social workers who counsel caregivers.
Social workers said the most difficult reality the sandwich generation confronts is financial, reporting that nearly 75 percent are ill-equipped to handle costs associated with care.
As demographics shift, many women will increasingly find themselves with heavier caregiving burdens, said Pat Volland, director of New York Academy of Medicine's Social Work Leadership Institute, which commissioned the study along with the National Association of Social Workers.
Even now, many boomers are inviting elderly parents to move in with them, given the limited - and pricey - alternatives of assisted living centers and nursing homes. While boomers do experience some precious moments with Mom and Dad, the addition of a new roommate who has multiple needs often proves untenable.
'Able to Handle it All'
Both men and women are caregivers, but surveys tend to focus on women because
they are the majority of informal care providers in the US. The average
caregiver is 46, female, married, and working outside the home with an annual
income of $35,000, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. Females may spend
as much as 50 percent more time providing care than a male caregiver. But the
ability to wear so many hats doesn't necessarily mean sandwich generation women
have all the answers.
"Unfortunately, there are barriers to seeking help because women think they should be self-reliant and able to handle it all," Volland said.
The caregiving squeeze on women is expected to intensify, as one in five Americans will be 65 or older within the next two decades. Added pressure will likely spill over to social workers, too, as less than 10 percent currently specialize in aging care. The National Institute of Aging estimates that the US will need a 40 percent increase, or 20,000 additional social workers specializing in aging care, by 2020.
Offering Relief
In the meantime, there's growing emphasis on helping caregivers achieve greater
balance in managing their responsibilities. Social workers said the majority of
sandwich generation women underestimate the emotional and physical toll of
providing care for aging relatives, in addition to the potential financial woes.
Almost half said they hear sandwich generation women delayed getting help because they felt they should be able to deal with caregiving responsibilities on their own. Nearly half of social workers said they help ease burdens by providing care management or care coordination. This includes making referrals to health and social services, arranging transportation and food delivery, advising on financial management and benefits, and even acting as a liaison for long-distance care.
In addition to the social worker survey, 41 sandwich generation women were asked to keep a journal for two weeks about their experiences. Nearly one quarter noted they didn't know who to ask for help with day-to-day caregiving responsibilities.
Referrals and advice do more than reduce burdens, but also provide caregivers' relief from their "anxiety and unhappiness," said Elizabeth Clark, executive director of NASW.
To that end, NASW has developed a resource for sandwich generation women and others who are looking for information, advice and or a connection to a social worker for themselves or their aging parent.
