the sandwich generation: work/life balance of child and elder caregiving work/life balance:...

The Sandwich The Sandwich Generation:Generation:

Work/Life Balance of Work/Life Balance of Child and Elder Child and Elder

CaregivingCaregiving

Work/Life balance: “…..healthy work environments that value people and support personal life and family issues.”

The Alliance for Work-Life Progress, 2003

Module #14

Area Agency On Aging


IntroductionsIntroductions

NameName Who you care for over age 60Who you care for over age 60 Number and age of children you care forNumber and age of children you care for What are your expectations today?What are your expectations today?


Overview/Learning Objectives Overview/Learning Objectives Through this workshop you will be able toThrough this workshop you will be able to

Identify statistics and demographics Identify statistics and demographics related to child and elder care.related to child and elder care.

Identify strategies to balance work and life Identify strategies to balance work and life challenges.challenges.

Know community and internet resources.Know community and internet resources. Develop a plan. Develop a plan.


Demographics, Statistics and Demographics, Statistics and Issues of the Sandwich Issues of the Sandwich

GenerationGeneration

Post staff meeting in the hallway between co-Post staff meeting in the hallway between co-workers: “What a meeting, huh? “ “What a workers: “What a meeting, huh? “ “What a day….no, what a year! I got back to my desk day….no, what a year! I got back to my desk and my mom had called to ask if I could pick up and my mom had called to ask if I could pick up her medicine this afternoon on my way home. her medicine this afternoon on my way home. But that’s a problem because I have to pick my But that’s a problem because I have to pick my son up from school after his SAT study group. son up from school after his SAT study group. Then I would have to backtrack to the pharmacy. Then I would have to backtrack to the pharmacy. Her church is great about checking on her and Her church is great about checking on her and helping out when they can but this is just not helping out when they can but this is just not something they can help her with.” something they can help her with.”

Does This Sound Familiar?Does This Sound Familiar?


Or This?Or This?

You are on a business trip and get a call from your You are on a business trip and get a call from your mother. She tells you that she hasn’t been feeling well mother. She tells you that she hasn’t been feeling well for a few weeks and needs to get to the doctor. Of for a few weeks and needs to get to the doctor. Of course you can’t take her. You hastily arrange for a course you can’t take her. You hastily arrange for a neighbor to take her, but this one visit spirals upward neighbor to take her, but this one visit spirals upward to a series of tests and visits, that ultimately forces you to a series of tests and visits, that ultimately forces you to return from your trip early. to return from your trip early.

You are in a car pool with other parents to get your You are in a car pool with other parents to get your two school age children back and forth to school each two school age children back and forth to school each day. While you are on your business trip your spouse, day. While you are on your business trip your spouse, who also works, is flexing time so that your week of who also works, is flexing time so that your week of car pooling is covered. car pooling is covered.

Demographics Demographics 44% of Americans between the ages of 45 and 55 have aging parents 44% of Americans between the ages of 45 and 55 have aging parents

or in-laws as well as children under 21. or in-laws as well as children under 21. The Sandwich Generation The Sandwich Generation phenomenon.phenomenon.

59%-75% of family or informal caregivers are women.59%-75% of family or informal caregivers are women. The average caregiver is age 46, female, married and working outside The average caregiver is age 46, female, married and working outside

the home earning an annual income of $35,000 per year.the home earning an annual income of $35,000 per year. Nearly half of all baby boomers aged 45-55 have children still living at Nearly half of all baby boomers aged 45-55 have children still living at

home and elder care responsibilities.home and elder care responsibilities. 64% of caregivers are employed full-time or part-time.64% of caregivers are employed full-time or part-time. More than 14 million US workers care for aging family members.More than 14 million US workers care for aging family members. Fastest growing population group is older Americans.Fastest growing population group is older Americans. Most rapid population growth is among people 85+ with the majority Most rapid population growth is among people 85+ with the majority

being females.being females. An estimated 7 to 10 million adult children are caring for their parents An estimated 7 to 10 million adult children are caring for their parents

from a long distance.from a long distance. Nearly two-thirds of Americans under age 60 think they will have elder Nearly two-thirds of Americans under age 60 think they will have elder

care responsibilities in the next ten years.care responsibilities in the next ten years.

Elder Caregiver Statistical ProfileElder Caregiver Statistical Profile

61% elder caregivers are between the ages of 18 and 49.61% elder caregivers are between the ages of 18 and 49. Typical caregiver is a married woman in her mid-forties.Typical caregiver is a married woman in her mid-forties. Provides an average of 18 hours/week of caregiving.Provides an average of 18 hours/week of caregiving. Works full-time.Works full-time. Lives near the care recipient.Lives near the care recipient. Has an annual household income of approximately Has an annual household income of approximately

$35,000. $35,000.


””One of the biggest dilemmas for people in the field One of the biggest dilemmas for people in the field of caregiving and for grassroots organizations has of caregiving and for grassroots organizations has

been how to reach family caregivers. The majority of been how to reach family caregivers. The majority of family caregivers don’t self-identify. They don't know family caregivers don’t self-identify. They don't know

that they are caregivers.”that they are caregivers.”

Survey on Caregiver Self-Identification, 2001 National Family Caregivers Association

nfca.org

“Who, me? I’m not a caregiver.”


Elder CaregiverElder Caregiver

Driving to and from doctor and Driving to and from doctor and other health care other health care appointments.appointments.

Communicating with health Communicating with health care professionals.care professionals.

Contacting or helping Contacting or helping someone communicate with someone communicate with community service community service organizations such as the organizations such as the Area Agency on Aging or the Area Agency on Aging or the Alzheimer’s Association.Alzheimer’s Association.

Assisting someone to pay Assisting someone to pay their bills.their bills.

You are an elder caregiver if you help someone who cannot or is limited from doing any of these things for themselves.

Helping someone clean Helping someone clean their home or arranging for their home or arranging for housecleaning.housecleaning.

Assisting someone or Assisting someone or arranging for home repairs.arranging for home repairs.

Arranging for or helping Arranging for or helping someone to arrange for someone to arrange for Meals on Wheels.Meals on Wheels.

Helping arrange for home Helping arrange for home health care or hospice health care or hospice services.services.

__________

Caregiver Continuum


American Society on Aging, 2000

The vast majority of long-term care is provided informally and privately, at no

public cost.

Research has shown a marked increase in the number of sons who are primary

or co-caregivers in the last 3-5 years.


Gender and Realities of Gender and Realities of Working FamiliesWorking Families

73% of all family elder caregivers are women with an increasing 73% of all family elder caregivers are women with an increasing number of sons involved in caregiving. number of sons involved in caregiving.

Research shows that fathers and sons are taking an increased role Research shows that fathers and sons are taking an increased role in caregiving.in caregiving.

Less than 25% of new mothers leave the paid labor force for a Less than 25% of new mothers leave the paid labor force for a substantial period after childbirth.substantial period after childbirth.

63% percent of women with children under age six are in the labor 63% percent of women with children under age six are in the labor force, and 78% of women with children 6-17 are in the labor force.force, and 78% of women with children 6-17 are in the labor force.

25%, 14 million, of all U.S. households with children are headed by 25%, 14 million, of all U.S. households with children are headed by women alone.women alone. 4.2 million were below the poverty level which represents 34.6% of all 4.2 million were below the poverty level which represents 34.6% of all

families with female householders.families with female householders.


Caregiving Trends of the Caregiving Trends of the FutureFuture

Continued increase in prevalence of Continued increase in prevalence of caregiving for American families.caregiving for American families.

Increasing numbers of working caregivers.Increasing numbers of working caregivers. Increase in male caregivers.Increase in male caregivers. Increase in long-distance caregivers.Increase in long-distance caregivers.


Time and MoneyTime and Money

TIME: Average length of time spent on caregiving TIME: Average length of time spent on caregiving was about eight years, with about one-third of the was about eight years, with about one-third of the respondents providing care for 10 or more years. respondents providing care for 10 or more years.

MONEY: Almost all respondents reported helping MONEY: Almost all respondents reported helping the care recipient with some expenses, most the care recipient with some expenses, most frequently with food, transportation, or medications. frequently with food, transportation, or medications. On average, caregivers helped with expenses for On average, caregivers helped with expenses for two to six years and spent a total of $19,525 in out-two to six years and spent a total of $19,525 in out-of-pocket expenses.of-pocket expenses.


Caught in the MiddleCaught in the Middle Most women will spend 17 years caring for Most women will spend 17 years caring for

children and 18 years helping an elderly children and 18 years helping an elderly parent. parent.

89% percent of all women over age 18 will 89% percent of all women over age 18 will be caregivers to children, parents or both.be caregivers to children, parents or both.


The Adult Child and The Adult Child and the the

FamilyFamily 2, 32, 3

Relatively new phenomenon of Relatively new phenomenon of adults balancing three major adults balancing three major responsibilities.responsibilities. Raising their own children.Raising their own children. Leading their own lives, Leading their own lives,

including full time jobs.including full time jobs. Helping their aged parents.Helping their aged parents.

Significant number of families Significant number of families are three and four generation are three and four generation families.families.

Time CalculatorTime Calculator

Including travel time write down and total for one week (168 hours per week):

“Average” hours sleep = ___

“Average” hours work per week = ___

“Average” hours spent with your children = ___

“Average” hours spent with your older relative(s) = ___

Total Number of Hours____

Note: do not duplicate any of these hours *i.e., hours spent with children and elders together


Workplace and Business Workplace and Business ImpactImpact

Business Impact of Elder Caregiving Business Impact of Elder Caregiving

MetLife Mature Market Institute, National Alliance for Caregiving, and the MetLife Mature Market Institute, National Alliance for Caregiving, and the National Center on Women and Aging, 1999, National Center on Women and Aging, 1999, The MetLife Juggling Act The MetLife Juggling Act

Study: Balancing Caregiving with Work and the Costs Involved.Study: Balancing Caregiving with Work and the Costs Involved.

US businesses have lost between $11.4 billion and $33 billion in retention, US businesses have lost between $11.4 billion and $33 billion in retention, absenteeism and productivity due to elder caregiving.absenteeism and productivity due to elder caregiving.

Estimated the national economic value of informal caregiving in 1997 = $196 Estimated the national economic value of informal caregiving in 1997 = $196 billion, billion, equivalent to about 18 percent of total national health care spending equivalent to about 18 percent of total national health care spending ($1.1 trillion in 1997). ($1.1 trillion in 1997).

Elder caregiving impacts an employee’s ability to work and to advance their Elder caregiving impacts an employee’s ability to work and to advance their career:career: 11% of caregivers took a leave of absence.11% of caregivers took a leave of absence. 7% reduced their work hours.7% reduced their work hours. 3% turned down a promotion.3% turned down a promotion. 10% took early retirement or quit their jobs.10% took early retirement or quit their jobs.

According to National Center for Women and Aging the average caregiver will According to National Center for Women and Aging the average caregiver will lose over $600,000 in wages, pensions and Social Security Benefits over a lose over $600,000 in wages, pensions and Social Security Benefits over a lifetime. lifetime.


Business Impact of Elder Business Impact of Elder Caregiving (cont’d)Caregiving (cont’d)

Late arrivals and/or early departures from work.Late arrivals and/or early departures from work. Lost hours of work.Lost hours of work. Missed days of work due to caregiving Missed days of work due to caregiving

responsibilities.responsibilities. Work interruptions.Work interruptions. High incidence of need to take unpaid leave of High incidence of need to take unpaid leave of

absences.absences. On-the-job accidents and mistakes (i.e., workers On-the-job accidents and mistakes (i.e., workers

comp claims).comp claims).Primarily because of care giving responsibilities,

Women average 11.5 years out of the paid labor force and

Men average 1.3 years.


Deferred promotions and/or re-locations.Deferred promotions and/or re-locations. Reduced personal productivity.Reduced personal productivity. Replacement costs (recruitment and retention Replacement costs (recruitment and retention

issues).issues). Supervisory Costs (indirect expense).Supervisory Costs (indirect expense).

For 17% of working caregivers, the demands are For 17% of working caregivers, the demands are so intense they give up work entirely or take a so intense they give up work entirely or take a leave of absence in order to provide the care their leave of absence in order to provide the care their family members require.family members require.


Work StrategiesWork Strategies


Company Benefits and PoliciesCompany Benefits and Policies

Know what your company offers:Know what your company offers: Know your company benefits.Know your company benefits. Read related policy materials.Read related policy materials. Talk to your human resources department.Talk to your human resources department. *Learn about FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). *Learn about FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). Use Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Use Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

benefits.benefits.

FMLA entitles eligible workers a maximum of 12 weeks a year of unpaid leave without loss of job security or health benefits. There are a variety of restrictions such as company size and the amount of time the worker has been employed.


The 2002 National Study of the Changing The 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce by the Families and Work Workforce by the Families and Work

InstituteInstitute

““One work/life program that has increased One work/life program that has increased significantly is elder care resource and referral significantly is elder care resource and referral services. In 1992, only 11 percent of employees services. In 1992, only 11 percent of employees had access to this benefit, versus nearly a had access to this benefit, versus nearly a quarter (24%) today. And more and more quarter (24%) today. And more and more employees are needing elder care services as employees are needing elder care services as the population ages: 35 percent of workers, men the population ages: 35 percent of workers, men and women alike, say they have provided care and women alike, say they have provided care for a relative or in-law 65 or older in the past for a relative or in-law 65 or older in the past year.”year.”


Communicate With Your Communicate With Your SupervisorSupervisor

Determine what and how much your supervisor needs to know about your Determine what and how much your supervisor needs to know about your situation. situation.

If you and your supervisor are not clear about the tasks for which you are If you and your supervisor are not clear about the tasks for which you are accountable, there is no clear basis for a discussion about such alternatives accountable, there is no clear basis for a discussion about such alternatives as part-time work, flexible hours, etc.as part-time work, flexible hours, etc.

Be specific about what you need.Be specific about what you need. Is flex time possible where your hours could be adjusted to come in at times Is flex time possible where your hours could be adjusted to come in at times

other than those currently scheduled?other than those currently scheduled? Offer suggestions that will help your do your job but will allow you flexibility to Offer suggestions that will help your do your job but will allow you flexibility to

meet your non-work demands.meet your non-work demands. Ask about job sharing with another employee to cover times that you must be Ask about job sharing with another employee to cover times that you must be

away. away. Set a timeframe to evaluate new work arrangements. Make adjustments, as Set a timeframe to evaluate new work arrangements. Make adjustments, as

needed.needed.


Strategies That WorkStrategies That Work

Honestly assess your job.Honestly assess your job. Assess the “climate” at work. Assess the “climate” at work. Speak to others in your company about options that may have Speak to others in your company about options that may have

worked for them.worked for them. Be proactive and creative.Be proactive and creative. Make use of resources at work.Make use of resources at work. If you do not have a job description, ask for one or create one to If you do not have a job description, ask for one or create one to

present to your supervisor.present to your supervisor. Remember that you are being paid to do a job. Use lunch and Remember that you are being paid to do a job. Use lunch and

break times to make phone calls or use other resources.break times to make phone calls or use other resources. Other ideas?Other ideas?


Resources and SupportsResources and Supports


What Assistance is Available through the What Assistance is Available through the Area Agency on Aging (AAA)?Area Agency on Aging (AAA)?

Information and Information and Referral Referral

Caregiver Education Caregiver Education and Trainingand Training

Caregiver RespiteCaregiver Respite Caregiver Support Caregiver Support

CoordinationCoordination Case ManagementCase Management TransportationTransportation

Benefits CounselingBenefits Counseling OmbudsmanOmbudsman Home Delivered MealsHome Delivered Meals Congregate MealsCongregate Meals Help such as light Help such as light

housekeepinghousekeeping

Services for persons age 60 and older

Caregiver Services


Resources For CaregiversResources For Caregivers Call Call

2-1-1 throughout Texas. Provides information and access to 2-1-1 throughout Texas. Provides information and access to health and human service information for all ageshealth and human service information for all ages

1-800-252-92401-800-252-9240 to find l to find local Texas Area Agency on Aging ocal Texas Area Agency on Aging 1-800-677-1116 -1-800-677-1116 - Elder Care Locator to find help throughout Elder Care Locator to find help throughout

the U.S. the U.S.

OnlineOnline www.benefitscheckup.org for an online way to determine www.benefitscheckup.org for an online way to determine

benefits for which someone qualifies.benefits for which someone qualifies. To schedule a caregiver presentation in your community at your To schedule a caregiver presentation in your community at your

church, business, library, or otherchurch, business, library, or other Contact Contact Zanda Hilger, (817) 581-5890 or [email protected] Zanda Hilger, (817) 581-5890 or [email protected]

To find this and other information quickly Go online to: www.familycaregiversonline.org

online education, resources, links, FAQs


www.familycaregiversonline.net


Family Caregiver EducationFamily Caregiver Education1.1. Elder Caregiver BasicsElder Caregiver Basics2.2. Behavior and Emotions of Aging Behavior and Emotions of Aging 3.3. Chronic Illness, Medication Management and Chronic Illness, Medication Management and

Communicating with Health Communicating with Health Care ProvidersCare Providers

4.4. Sensory LossSensory Loss5.5. Communication and Relationships Communication and Relationships 6.6. Safety and IndependenceSafety and Independence7.7. Legal Issues and Financial PlanningLegal Issues and Financial Planning8.8. Community and Internet ResourcesCommunity and Internet Resources9.9. Caring for the CaregiverCaring for the Caregiver10.10. Long Distance CaregivingLong Distance Caregiving11.11. Housing Options and Long Term CareHousing Options and Long Term Care12.12. End of Life Issues End of Life Issues 13.13. Loss and GriefLoss and Grief14.14. Sandwich Generation Sandwich Generation 15.15. Nutrition, Kitchen Safety & Preparing Meals Nutrition, Kitchen Safety & Preparing Meals

for Elder Care Receiverfor Elder Care Receiver16.16. Aging & Mental Health: Depression, Alcohol and Aging & Mental Health: Depression, Alcohol and

Prescription DrugsPrescription Drugs17.17. Safe caregivingSafe caregiving18.18. Communicating with Health Care ProfessionalsCommunicating with Health Care Professionals

At WorkAt Work ‘‘Brown bag’ or ‘lunch and Brown bag’ or ‘lunch and

learn’learn’ Manager trainingManager training Management consultingManagement consulting

InternetInternet

FamilyCaregiversOnline.net

Electronic NewslettersElectronic Newsletters

Libraries, churches, civic Libraries, churches, civic groups, and other venuesgroups, and other venues


Planning and Time Planning and Time ManagementManagement

Make a list of things that you need to do for your elder and/or your child.Make a list of things that you need to do for your elder and/or your child. IfIf possible, try to schedule time off the job at the least disruptive times possible, try to schedule time off the job at the least disruptive times

when your duties can be done another day or do not affect the work of when your duties can be done another day or do not affect the work of others.others.

Negotiate with others to cover each others’ job, with the approval of your Negotiate with others to cover each others’ job, with the approval of your supervisor. supervisor.

Prioritize your list so that you can accomplish the most important tasks Prioritize your list so that you can accomplish the most important tasks first. first. Break overwhelming tasks into a series of small steps. Break overwhelming tasks into a series of small steps.

Delegate responsibilities to other family members whenever possible. Ask Delegate responsibilities to other family members whenever possible. Ask specifically for what you want.specifically for what you want.

Document completions/note successes. Document completions/note successes. Communicate, communicate, communicate.Communicate, communicate, communicate.

Ask yourself the question“What is the best use of my time right now? Am I over-

committing?”


It Takes a CommunityIt Takes a Community

Engage natural supports, especially within the family itself.Engage natural supports, especially within the family itself. Talk to family members:Talk to family members:

Have a family conference by telephone or in person.Have a family conference by telephone or in person. Clearly define what the needs are and ask for specific help. Clearly define what the needs are and ask for specific help.

Ask siblings for help:Ask siblings for help: What needs most closely match the skills of you and individual What needs most closely match the skills of you and individual

family members.family members. Who makes decisions in the family? Is that working?Who makes decisions in the family? Is that working? What adjustments need to be made to how caregiver What adjustments need to be made to how caregiver

responsibilities are shared?responsibilities are shared? Communicate, communicate, communicate! Communicate, communicate, communicate!


Engage Your Family MemberEngage Your Family Member when when they don’t want “outside help” or “charity” they don’t want “outside help” or “charity” 2, AARP2, AARP

Explain that some needs Explain that some needs are better met with are better met with professional help.professional help.

Explain that the services Explain that the services are designed to help them are designed to help them remain independent.remain independent.

Explain the service.Explain the service. Offer to supplement the Offer to supplement the

cost of care, if possible or cost of care, if possible or necessary.necessary.

Assist with arrangements to Assist with arrangements to pay for the service.pay for the service.

Offer the services as a gift.Offer the services as a gift. Engage someone they Engage someone they

respect to suggest the respect to suggest the services.services.

Accompany the individual Accompany the individual to gather information about to gather information about the service. the service.

Caregiver Stress Caregiver Stress ManagementManagement


Survey Highlights Survey Highlights of People Who ‘Self-Identify’ as Family Caregivers, of People Who ‘Self-Identify’ as Family Caregivers,

National Family Caregivers Association, 2000National Family Caregivers Association, 2000

91% believe “preserving your health” is a message 91% believe “preserving your health” is a message that should be told to all family caregivers.that should be told to all family caregivers.

30% exercise regularly since becoming caregivers, 30% exercise regularly since becoming caregivers, compared with 61% who exercised before becoming compared with 61% who exercised before becoming caregivers.caregivers.

47% seek prompt medical attention for themselves 47% seek prompt medical attention for themselves compared to 70% who did so before becoming compared to 70% who did so before becoming caregivers.caregivers.

92% like the idea of caregivers being considered a 92% like the idea of caregivers being considered a special group within the population.special group within the population.


Sources of StressSources of Stress

Work/Life balance.Work/Life balance. Grief.Grief. Guilt.Guilt. Lack of support.Lack of support.

“Caregiving calls on you in a way nothing else

does. But it shouldn’t be the all-encompassing

piece of a person. If you fall apart, what happens

to your loved one?”

Suzanne Mintz, President,

National Family Caregivers Association


Important Caregiver TasksImportant Caregiver Tasks

Set healthy boundariesSet healthy boundaries Ask for helpAsk for help


Identifying and Meeting Identifying and Meeting NeedsNeeds

““Adapted from Four Principles to Live By,” National Family Adapted from Four Principles to Live By,” National Family Caregiver Association.Caregiver Association.

1. Choose to take charge of your life. 1. Choose to take charge of your life. 2. Honor, value and love yourself. You're doing a very hard 2. Honor, value and love yourself. You're doing a very hard

job and you deserve some quality time, just for you. Self job and you deserve some quality time, just for you. Self care isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. care isn't a luxury. It's a necessity.

3. Seek, accept, and at times demand help. Don't be 3. Seek, accept, and at times demand help. Don't be ashamed to ask for help. When people offer assistance, ashamed to ask for help. When people offer assistance, accept it and suggest specific things that they can do. accept it and suggest specific things that they can do.

4. Stand up and be counted. Stand up for your rights as a 4. Stand up and be counted. Stand up for your rights as a caregiver and a citizen.caregiver and a citizen.


Establish and Maintain Winning Establish and Maintain Winning RelationshipsRelationships

Communicate; Communicate; take the take the initiativeinitiative..

Surround yourself with Surround yourself with winners.winners.

Avoid negative and Avoid negative and critical people.critical people.

Be real and true to Be real and true to yourself.yourself.

Believe that Believe that “what goes “what goes around comes around.”around comes around.”

Listen.Listen.


Keep Your Sense Keep Your Sense of Humorof Humor

Re-Evaluate and Re-Balance Your Re-Evaluate and Re-Balance Your PrioritiesPriorities

““Am I sure about what matters most?”Am I sure about what matters most?” ““What am I learning?”What am I learning?” ““What am I doing to take care of myself?”What am I doing to take care of myself?” ““What can I delegate or ask help with?”What can I delegate or ask help with?” ““What can I say “no” to?”What can I say “no” to?”

Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Time and Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Time and

Your StressYour Stress Apologies to David LettermanApologies to David Letterman

10. Get rid of unnecessary 10. Get rid of unnecessary stuff stuff ‘chunk the junk.’‘chunk the junk.’

9. Be realistic.9. Be realistic. 8. Prioritize.8. Prioritize. 7. Decide.7. Decide. 6. Rid yourself of as many 6. Rid yourself of as many

interruptions as possible.interruptions as possible. 5. Ask for help.5. Ask for help.

4. Make lists 4. Make lists and do what is and do what is written on them.written on them.

3. Plan 3. Plan “if you don’t know “if you don’t know where you are going you will where you are going you will end up somewhere else.”end up somewhere else.”

2. KISS-keep it simple and 2. KISS-keep it simple and sane.sane.

1. Take one day at a time 1. Take one day at a time and value it as if it were your and value it as if it were your last.last.


Taking Care of Yourself!Taking Care of Yourself!

What would you tell someone else in your shoes?What would you tell someone else in your shoes?

Make a commitment to yourself to take your own Make a commitment to yourself to take your own advice and take care of you!advice and take care of you!

If you do, you will take better care of your loved one.If you do, you will take better care of your loved one.


Summary of OptionsSummary of Options

Find out what the issues are: medical, ability to Find out what the issues are: medical, ability to care of selfcare of self

Find help in the communityFind help in the community Ask for help and be specific Ask for help and be specific Communicate with supervisor and human Communicate with supervisor and human

resource departmentsresource departments Initiate family meetingsInitiate family meetings Organize life and workOrganize life and work Practice stress management techniquesPractice stress management techniques


Serenity Prayer

Grant me The Serenity to accept the things

I cannot change;Courage to change the things I can;

and The Wisdom to know the difference.

SourcesSources Written by Zanda Hilger, M. Ed., LPCWritten by Zanda Hilger, M. Ed., LPC Includes materials adapted fromIncludes materials adapted from

1. Family Caregiver Education: Getting The Support You Deserve, 2002.1. Family Caregiver Education: Getting The Support You Deserve, 2002. Administration on Aging, 2001.Administration on Aging, 2001. 2. 2. National Council of Women’s Organizations, 2003.National Council of Women’s Organizations, 2003. 3. 3. The MetLife Juggling Act Study: Balancing Caregiving with Work and The MetLife Juggling Act Study: Balancing Caregiving with Work and

the Costs Involvedthe Costs Involved, MetLife Mature Market Institute, National Alliance for , MetLife Mature Market Institute, National Alliance for Caregiving, and the National Center on Women and Aging, 1997-1999. Caregiving, and the National Center on Women and Aging, 1997-1999.

4. 4. In the Middle, A Report on Multicultural Boomers Coping with Family In the Middle, A Report on Multicultural Boomers Coping with Family and Aging Issuesand Aging Issues, 2001., 2001.“Balancing Work and Caregiving,” “Balancing Work and Caregiving,” AARP online AARP online www.aarp.org, 2003.www.aarp.org, 2003.

5. 5. Child Care Data,Child Care Data, Corporate Champions, 2003. Corporate Champions, 2003. 6. 6. Elder Care: a Six Step Process,Elder Care: a Six Step Process, John Paul Marosy, 2001. John Paul Marosy, 2001. 7. 7. Working Caregiver FactsheetWorking Caregiver Factsheet (Source: Towson University, 2000) (Source: Towson University, 2000)

the sandwich generation: work/life balance of child and elder caregiving work/life balance:...

Documents

aging area agency

aging demographics

aging introductionsnamewho

aging family members

aging post staff

sandwich generationarea

elder care responsibilities

age of children