Who Exactly Is the Sandwich Generation?

The term “sandwich generation” describes adults, typically in their 40s and 50s, who are simultaneously supporting aging parents and children. It’s a growing reality as life expectancies increase and families are more spread out.

A 2022 Pew Research Center study found that 23% of U.S. adults fall into this caring role. In people’s 40s, that number jumps to 54%.

 

Why the Pressure is Real and Growing

These caregivers face unique hurdles:

  • National survey data shows 2.5 million individuals act as sandwich generation caregivers, often working nearly 72–77 hours per month in unpaid caregiving.
  • Compared to other caregivers, they report significantly more:
    • Financial strain (23.5% vs. 12%)
    • Emotional stress (44.1% vs. 32.2%)
    • A higher sense of being mentally overloaded.
  • Another analysis echoed these findings: while both sandwich and non-sandwich caregivers spent similar time caring, the sandwich generation reported double the rate of financial issues and far higher emotional difficulty.

Additionally, they’re more likely to be employed, with 69% compared to 54% among non-sandwich caregivers. Balancing multiple roles takes its toll.

 

The Toll in Real Life and at Work

Caregivers in this role are feeling it at every level:

  • A Forbes article on workplace burnout highlights these caregivers, who are squeezed between generations, underscoring how financial stress manifests when they balance caregiving with a day job.
  • Nearly 53% of sandwich caregivers have had to come in late, take time off, or leave early because caregiving demands interfered with work, and 15% shifted to fewer hours, sometimes losing benefits.
  • Another source goes further: 59% feel caregiving is holding back their careers, and 40% feel ostracized at work due to it.

 

The Emotional Side and Where Help Can Make a Difference

Stress and isolation are common among sandwich generation caregivers:

  • About 23% of caregivers experience serious mental health strain because they’re   emotional, financial, and physical demands all at once, illustrating the emotional toll of managing schedules, finances, and guilt alongside multiple caregiving relationships.

Caregiving was described as “doing two full-time emotional jobs,” with help ranging from legal tools like power of attorney to setting up social support and shared schedules.

 

What Makes This Matter

Sandwich generation caregivers not only bear the emotional and financial burden alone, but they also do so while raising children, maintaining careers, and often caring for aging loved ones. It’s a unique challenge that shifts life paths around long-term, affecting:

  • Personal health: Stress, anxiety, and burnout are common issues.
  • Career progression: Working part-time, declining promotions, and losing benefits.
  • Financial security: Juggling caregiving costs, child expenses, and long-term planning.

With aging populations and shifting family dynamics, this role isn’t going away, and neither should support for you and your loved one.

Here’s how to reclaim some balance:

  1. Use in-home Companion support – Let someone help with tasks like errands, light housekeeping.
  2. Ask for flexibility at work – Employers are starting to recognize the need for caregiving flexibility.
  3. Build a support network – Whether family, friends, or local services, caregiving shouldn’t be a path you walk alone.
  4. Take time for yourself – Even small moments of self-care can make a difference.
  5. Plan ahead – Clear financial and legal planning (like a power of attorney) can reduce daily stress.

 

Villi is Here to Help

Being part of the sandwich generation can feel like a never-ending marathon, emotionally, professionally, and financially. But with thoughtful planning, self-care, and a helping hand from services like Villi, you don’t have to go it alone.

Need a ride for your loved one or just someone for them to talk to while you tackle the day? Villi Companions are ready to help, alongside, behind, or beside you, so you can breathe and focus on what matters most.

 

The Villi team is here to help.

Do you need help with a loved one?  Then, consider Villi’s homemaker and companionship services. Our team of friendly, compassionate Companions takes great pride in serving people in their community who need light assistance with daily chores, some company and conversation, or convenient transportation for errands, appointments, or trips to the store.

Explore our services to learn more about our:

  • Homemaker and companionship services
  • Easy-to-use scheduling platform
  • “Best Value” service pricing
  • Only 1-hour service minimum

 

Sign up in seconds to enjoy free 24-hour access to our on-demand scheduling platform, where you can view our team of vetted compassionate companions.

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If you have questions about our services, please call 1-844-624-5646 to speak to one of our caring service Advisors.

 

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