Tips for those Caught in the Sandwich Generation

At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses or the financial challenges of young adulthood while at the same time looking after the needs of your aging parents. Squeezed in the middle, you’re in the “sandwich generation” — a group loosely defined as people in their 40s to 60s who are “sandwiched” between caring for children and aging parents.

As more men and women have children later in life and more parents live longer lives, the ranks of the sandwich generation are likely to grow in the years ahead. If you find yourself sandwiched between caregiving demands, here are some strategies to navigate this life phase.

SETTING PRIORITIES

The first thing to do is get yourself in the proper mindset. This life phase could last one or two years, or it could last many more. In any case, try to treat this stage as a marathon and pace yourself.

Encourage open communication with your family to figure out ways to share the financial, emotional, and time burdens. Hold regular meetings to discuss issues, set priorities, and delegate tasks. 

It’s important for caregivers to get their own financial house in order. Ironically, at the very time you need to do this, the demands of caregiving may cause you to lose income because you have to step back at work. Here are some tips to get your finances on track:

• Establish a budget and stick to it. Having a realistic budget can help you balance your income and expenses and keep your finances on track.

• Invest in your own future by putting as much as you can into your retirement plan, and avoid raiding it to pay for your parent’s care or your child’s college education.

• If you need more time off from work, ask your employer if you can telecom- mute, flex your hours, reduce your hours temporarily, or take unpaid leave. Another option is to enroll your parent in an adult day-care program or hire a home health aide to fill the gaps. Permanently leaving your job should be a last resort — time out of the workforce will reduce not only your earnings but possibly your Social Security benefit at retirement as well.

CARING FOR YOUR PARENTS

Talk to your parents about their financial resources. Do they have retirement income? Long-term care insurance? Do they own their home? Learn the whereabouts of all their documents and accounts, as well as the financial professionals and friends they rely on for advice and support.

Much depends on whether your parent is living with you or out of town. If your parent lives a distance away, you’ll have to monitor his or her welfare from afar — a challenging task. Though caregiving can be a major stress on anyone, distance can magnify it — daily phone calls or video chats might not be enough, and traveling to your parent’s home can be expensive and difficult to manage with your work and family responsibilities.

If your parent’s needs are great enough, you may want to consider hiring a geriatric care manager, who can help oversee your parent’s care and direct you to the right community resources, and/or a home health aide, who can check in on your parent during the week. Here are some things you should do:

• Take inventory of your parent’s assets and consolidate his or her financial accounts.

• Get a current list of the medicines your parent takes and the doctors he or she sees.

• Have your parent establish a durable power of attorney and health-care directive, which gives you legal authority to handle financial and health-care decisions if your parent becomes incapacitated. And make sure your parent has a will.

• Consider consulting a tax professional to see if you might be entitled to potential tax benefits as a result of your caregiving; for example, you might be able to claim your parent as a dependent.

• If your parent’s needs are great enough, you might need to go a step further and explore assisted-living options or nursing homes.

Eventually, you might decide that your parent needs to move in with you. In that case, here are some suggestions to make that transition:

• Talk with your parent in advance about both of your expectations and concerns.

• If possible, set up a separate room and phone for your parent for some space and privacy.

• Research local programs to see what resources are offered for seniors; for example, the senior center may offer social gatherings or adult day care that can give you a much needed break.

• Ask and expect adult siblings to help out. Siblings who may live far away and can’t help out physically on a regular basis, for example, can make a financial contribution that can help you hire assistance. They can also research assisted-living or nursing home options. 

MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUR CHILDREN

Your children may be feeling the effect of your situation more than you think, especially if they are teenagers. At a time when they still need your patience and attention, you may be preoccupied with your parent’s care, meeting your work deadlines, and juggling your financial obligations. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Explain what changes may come about as you begin caring for your parent. Be sympathetic and supportive of your children (and your spouse) as they try to adjust.

• Discuss college plans. Encourage realistic expectations about the college they may be able to attend.

• If you have “boomerang children” who’ve returned home, make sure to share your expectations with them. Expect help with chores, occasional simple care-giving, and a financial contribution to monthly household expenses.

CONSIDERING YOUR NEEDS

This stage of your life could last many years, or just a few. Try to pace yourself so you can make it for the long haul. Don’t feel guilty about taking time for yourself when you need it. When you look after yourself, you’ll be in a better position to care for those around you.