Caring for a family is one of life's greatest responsibilities, and many adult children take on this responsibility instead of sending their elderly loved one to a nursing care or assisted living facility. However, for many Canadians, the responsibility of providing care comes from two directions at once. These primary caregivers are tasked with raising children and supporting aging parents or other relatives who need assistance. The demands of balancing work obligations, parenting, and providing home care can feel overwhelming, often leaving little time for them to practice self-care or rest.
Across Canada, millions of people find themselves sandwiched between providing care for different people in their lives, and the stress of managing such wide-ranging responsibilities can take a toll on their health, relationships, and career. To address the unique challenges of sandwich generation caregivers, it is important to find solutions that are beneficial for both the caregivers themselves and their elderly loved ones who depend on them for home care.
What is the Sandwich Generation?
The sandwich generation refers to adults who find themselves simultaneously caring for their own children while also supporting their aging parents or other relatives who need in-home care. These primary caregivers are essentially "sandwiched" between caring for two generations, juggling responsibilities that include child-rearing, elder care, and often full-time employment on top of everything else.
Throughout Canada, this growing group plays an important role in providing family care. They provide not just physical support, but also emotional support, and often without financial compensation. This can place a heavy burden on their health, careers, and overall quality of life, as well as affect their other family members, such as spouses and children.
Sandwich Generation Statistics in Canada
Recent statistics provided by Statistics Canada on the sandwich generation showcase just how common this phenomenon has become for Canadians:
- In 2022, 1.8 million Canadians, including 13% of all unpaid caregivers, were considered to be sandwich caregivers.
- About 6% of Canadians overall reported that they were providing unpaid in-home care to both children under 15 and care-dependent adults simultaneously.
- Women were more likely than men to fall into this category, with 7% of women being sandwich generation caregivers compared to 5% of men.
- Sandwich generation caregivers are most common in middle-aged individuals:
- 29% of sandwich generation caregivers are between the ages of 35 and 44.
- 20% are between the ages of 45 and 54.
- 18% are between the ages of 55 and 64.
- The most frequent caregiving situation for those in the sandwich generation involves supporting parents or in-laws while also raising children who are under the age of 15.
These sandwich generation statistics make it clear that this is not a small or rare group of individuals in Canada. It is a reality for millions of Canadians across all provinces, and the pressures associated with the duality of this type of care role are only expected to grow as populations age.
The Emotional and Physical Costs of Sandwich Generation Stress
Being a caregiver to two different generations at one time comes with unique struggles. Sandwich generation burnout and stress is a well-documented issue amongst Canadians, as many caregivers struggle to balance the demands of older loved ones and their children.
According to the sandwich generation statistics provided by Statistics Canada:
- 86% of sandwich caregivers reported that caregiving negatively impacted at least one aspect of their health and well-being.
- Common struggles that sandwich generation caregivers face include:
- Sandwich generation burnout
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Feelings of being overwhelmed
- 60+% of non-retired sandwich caregivers said their caregiving responsibilities have affected their employment, with many reducing their working hours, adjusting schedules, or passing on new work opportunities.
This intense level of responsibility that falls on caregivers often leads to sandwich generation burnout, which can affect them both physically and mentally. Burnout in caregivers can manifest in many different forms, including:
- Emotional exhaustion
- Decreased productivity
- Even physical health problems
Women, who are more likely to take on the role of a sandwich caregiver, tend to report higher levels of negative impacts on their health and family relationships compared to men who are caregivers.
COVID-19's Impact on Sandwich Caregivers
The COVID-19 pandemic placed additional burdens on the sandwich generation in Canada, as nearly half of caregivers reported that their caregiving hours for both children and adults increased during this period due to a lack of caregivers and quarantine guidelines. With schools, workplaces, and long-term care facilities disrupted by the pandemic, a heavy amount of pressure fell on families to provide daily support to both children and elderly family members.
These increases in care only made an already significant undertaking cause many caregivers to experience sandwich generation stress, reinforcing the need for accessible and reliable home care support systems.
How Professional Home Care Can Reduce Sandwich Generation Stress
For many families, turning to professional home care services can make an enormous difference in mental and physical health for both sandwich generation caregivers and care recipients. At Senior Home Care by Angels, we understand the unique pressures that sandwich generation caregivers face and are here to provide respite, support, kindness, and peace of mind.
Our in-home senior care services can help in several ways:
- Personalized Senior Care - We provide personalized senior home care plans for aging parents, ranging from assistance with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and meal preparation to providing companionship and specialized care plans for conditions such as dementia, Parkinson's, or mobility challenges.
- Flexible Scheduling - The caregivers we connect our clients with work on your schedule, whether you need part-time in-home support, overnight care, or 24/7 assistance. This flexibility in our care services allows sandwich generation caregivers to maintain balance in their own personal lives.
- Respite Care - Taking time for yourself is very important to avoid sandwich generation burnout. Our respite care services that connected caregivers provide allow primary family caregivers to step away, recharge, and focus on other responsibilities, such as their spouse or children. They can step away for the day or a couple of hours, all while knowing their loved one is in compassionate and capable hands.
- Emotional Support for Families - Caregiving can be emotionally draining for family members, even if they split the duties between multiple people. The compassionate caregivers that we connect our clients with not only support seniors but also provide families with reassurance and relief, especially to those who may feel overwhelmed with their duties.
- Promoting Independence for Seniors - With professional in-home care through Senior Home Care by Angels, aging parents can remain living safely in their own homes, which also reduces the pressure on family members to provide constant care and supervision.
Why Support Matters for Sandwich Generation Caregivers
Without adequate in-home support, sandwich generation caregivers risk experiencing long-term consequences to their health, finances, and family relationships. Recognizing when help is needed is a very important step toward preventing caregiver burnout.
By bringing in trusted home care professionals like our team at Senior Home Care by Angels, family caregivers can:
- Spend more quality time with their children and parents, rather than only focusing on providing care.
- Protect their own physical and mental health and well-being by avoiding exhaustion.
- Maintain their careers and jobs without sacrificing any family responsibilities.
- Strengthen relationships within the family by reducing stress and conflict between caregivers and family members receiving care.
Need Help As A Sandwich Generation Caregiver?
The sandwich generation represents a growing group of Canadians who are all managing the complex responsibilities of providing care for children and adults. With millions balancing going to work, parenting, and providing senior care, the risks of sandwich generation stress and burnout are very real. However, in-home support is available through our team at Senior Home Care by Angels.
Professional home care services in Canada offer relief, flexibility, and peace of mind to primary caregivers, who are often family members. The caregivers we connect with our clients specialize in helping caregivers protect their own health while making sure their loved ones receive the best possible home care. At Senior Home Care by Angels, our team proudly stands alongside the sandwich generation and specializes in offering the assistance our clients need to live healthier, more balanced lives.