Elder Care in a Multigenerational Household

The number of Americans living in multigenerational households has increased in recent years. According to Generations United, a family research nonprofit and advocacy group, about 1 in 4 adults now live with their parents, grandparents, or other family members.

Why is multigenerational living on the rise?

Research has found that millennials are leading the movement toward multigenerational households. Some of the reasons include child care, unemployment, finances, elder care – and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its benefits, multigenerational dwelling can be stressful for primary caregivers who struggle with managing family and personal responsibilities.

The Sandwich Generation: A New Type of Stress and Responsibility

If you are “sandwiched” between caring for young children and an aging parent, you are not alone. More than 1 in 10 adults with a child under 18 also cares for a senior parent, according to the Pew Research Center.

Families in multigenerational homes are pulled in many directions. The physical and emotional needs of providing for an aging loved one is demanding and overwhelming. It’s also difficult keeping up with kids’ school work and activities as well as daily chores, including laundry, meals, cleaning, errands, and more. The physical, emotional, and financial strain can increase over time, causing stress, anxiety, or caregiver burnout.

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath, take some time for yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for professional assistance.

Find a Balance with Home Care

You may think you can handle everything on your own when it comes to senior care. However, circumstances may lead you to seek professional support from a local home care agency, such as Visiting Angels.

A Visiting Angels in-home caregiver will help you fulfill work and household responsibilities while providing you with peace of mind that your loved one is receiving the best possible care. Even just a few hours a week can make a huge difference.

Home care services provide a combination of household assistance and personal care, such as:

• Companion care
• Help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as dressing, bathing, eating
• Meal preparation
• Housekeeping
• Transportation assistance for seniors

A Home Care Provider You Can Trust

Select a reliable home care provider, such as Visiting Angels, that will support your loved one’s independence and family relationships. Visiting Angels’ professional caregivers will ease your mind and provide you more time to do the things you enjoy, such as:

• Going out for dinner or to a movie
• Taking an exercise/fitness class
• Reading a book
• Spending time with friends
• Joining a weekly art class or book club

A Visiting Angels caregiver will help you find a balance between caring for your own needs as well as your aging loved ones.

Take the first step today. Our care coordinators are available to discuss your loved one’s home care requirements via a free care consultation.