Tips for Caregivers in the "Sandwich Generation" in Santa Cruz, CA

Are you finding it difficult to keep up with the responsibilities of caring for both your children and your elderly parents? Many refer to individuals in this situation as the "sandwich generation." Many people throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, CA, including Scotts Valley, Watsonville, Marina, Carmel, Santa Cruz, Aptos, Salinas, and the neighboring communities, are taking on the responsibility of caring for both their children and their aging loved ones. You are not alone in this.

For those of you who are part of the "sandwich generation," juggling caregiving duties with other aspects of your life, like a job or your mental and physical health, may be a real challenge. However, you can avoid getting as tired as many family caregivers in the "sandwich generation" do by knowing the signs of caregiver burnout and making sure you have a strong support system.

Challenges that Sandwich Generation Caregivers Face in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

"Sandwich generation" is a word that is used to characterize the present generation of young people who are attempting to meet the requirements of their aging parents in addition to their own children. According to the Pew Research Foundation, about 25 percent of adults overall and 50 percent of people in their forties are caring for their parents while simultaneously raising children. More and more people are living in multigenerational households. In 1971, only 7 percent of people in the U.S. lived with people from more than one generation. By 2021, that number had almost tripled, to 18 percent.

Taking on the role of main caregiver for an older relative and a young child might be an additional strain on an already strained caregiver's time and energy. Despite the fact that you are shouldering a worthy obligation, there is just not enough time in the day for everything. You must continually balance many duties and keep track of important dates and appointments. People in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties who have demanding occupations, cope with long-term health concerns, or live a substantial distance from an elderly relative may find it extremely challenging to spend so much time focused on their loved ones' needs.

As a member of the "sandwich generation," you may find yourself balancing two distinct forms of caring responsibilities as a family caregiver. Taking care of oneself may become more of a challenge than an option. But what if you're too tired to keep going? Who will look after your parents and children?

How Family Caregivers in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties Can Recognize and Manage Caregiver Burnout

It is important for caregivers in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties to recognize the signs of burnout and take steps to alleviate their burden before it becomes overwhelming. Recognizing the signs of caregiver stress is the first line of defense against its negative effects on mental and physical health.

Some of the most common signs of caregiver burnout include:

• Exhaustion
• Sleep issues
• Intense focus on caregiving
• Excessive smoking, drinking, or eating
• Sudden fluctuations in weight
• Feeling angry, anxious, or irritable
• Feeling resentful or guilty
• Loss of interest in spending time with friends and family
• Lack of interest in exercise and socializing
• Headaches
• Backaches

Taking care of other people all the time isn't easy, and it may take a toll on your emotional and physical health, relationships, and capacity to care for those closest to you. Research indicates that around 50 percent of unpaid caregivers have some kind of mental illness, such as anxious thoughts, depressive disorder, or substance abuse. If stress and worried thoughts are getting the best of you, it's time to take a break and get help.

Tips for Managing Caregiver Burnout for Those in the Sandwich Generation

The sandwich generation was brought up with the belief that everything was possible with enough effort. Nevertheless, trying to satisfy everyone all the time will inevitably lead to stress and exhaustion. Never forget that you can't give away what you don't have. This is just a fact.

Allowing yourself some time to focus on your own needs can make taking care of kids and elderly family a lot easier. Nevertheless, with all the things happening in your life, it might be challenging to find time for yourself.

Here are some suggestions that might assist you in avoiding burnout as a family caregiver:

• Ask for help from your siblings and older children - Parents of teens or young adults should ask their children to help care for an aging parent so that the parents can take a well-earned break. For younger generations, helping out their grandparents is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time with them and deepen the bonds that already exist. The presence of nearby siblings may also help alleviate the burden of caring for an elderly parent by allowing you to divide up the duties between yourself.


• Join a support group for family caregivers - Caregiver support groups in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties may be a great place for sandwich generation family caregivers to meet other people who understand what they're going through. The best way to avoid burnout is to surround yourself with supportive people and seek advice from those who have been in your shoes.


• Relax and practice mindfulness for stress relief - Practice deep breathing, yoga, meditation, or prayer to help you cope with the stress of caring for a loved one. Regardless of how brief your mindfulness activities are, they have the potential to significantly influence your mood.


• Eat well and exercise regularly - Following a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity may have positive effects on your mental and physical health, allowing you to better manage your caregiving duties and other obligations. Get some moderate exercise, like a daily walk in Marina Bay Park, eat more veggies and fruits, and limit sugary and fatty snacks to increase your energy and happiness.


• Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider - When self-care fails to alleviate caregiver burnout, it's time to see a medical professional. If you're looking for strategies to improve your mental and physical well-being, they may point you in the right direction.


• Hire a professional in-home caregiver from Visiting Angels Central Coast - Visiting Angels Central Coast offers in-home care services for those in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties who need assistance with the care of an aging loved one. When family caregivers are unable to meet their loved ones' needs, we provide a variety of specialized care options, including respite care, palliative care, dementia care, and transitional care, so they can take a break from caring for a while. You and your loved one may choose the time and day of caregiver visits since our care plans are completely customizable.

Caregivers should prioritize self-care to enhance their well-being, positivity, and ability to assist others who depend on them. For many years, we at Visiting Angels Central Coast have worked tirelessly to alleviate the stress that family caregivers in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties endure by offering dependable and personalized in-home senior care.

Call Visiting Angels Central Coast at 831-430-0616 or fill out our form today to request a free in-home consultation!