The “sandwich generation” refers to adults who are caring for their aging parents while also raising their own children, a situation that is becoming more common as the number of older Americans continues to grow. Lisa Ling, a CBS News contributor, is part of this generation, as she juggles the responsibilities of taking care of her young daughters and her 92-year-old mother-in-law. The mornings in her household are often hectic as they try to balance the needs of their parents and children. Ling describes how caring for aging parents can be similar to caring for children, as they become more dependent and require more assistance.
Another caregiver, Lauren Shin, shares her experience of caring for her mother who has Alzheimer’s disease while also raising her two young children. Shin describes the challenges of dealing with her mother’s deteriorating health and the emotional toll it took on her. Eventually, Shin’s family made the difficult decision to move her mother into a memory care facility, as her care needs became too much for them to handle at home. The cost of such facilities can be significant, and Medicaid coverage may not always be available due to long waitlists and strict financial qualifications.
Nicole Jorwic from Caring Across Generations explains that Medicaid requires individuals to spend down their assets or remain in poverty in order to access long-term care, which can be a barrier for many families seeking assistance with elder care. Ling’s family has been fortunate to keep her mother-in-law at home with the help of government pension and savings. Shin offers advice to other sandwich caregivers, emphasizing that things will eventually get better as children grow older and become more self-sufficient. She also highlights the importance of showing appreciation for the hard work that elderly parents have done throughout their lives.
The challenges of caregiving for aging parents are explored in the new “Cost of Caregiving” series on “CBS Mornings,” which delves into the difficulties faced by those caring for America’s aging population. Moving aging parents into a facility may not always be feasible due to affordability, qualification criteria, or limited availability, leaving many families struggling to provide adequate care for their loved ones. The series aims to shed light on these challenges and offer support and resources for caregivers who are facing similar situations. The growing number of older Americans in the coming years will only increase the need for more support and resources for caregivers in the sandwich generation.
