Tips for "Sandwich Generation" Caregivers in Virginia Beach, VA

Are you finding that it's getting more difficult to care for both your parents and your children? Some people call those who are in this situation the "sandwich generation." Taking care of one's children and aging relatives is a huge responsibility for many people in Virginia Beach, VA.

Being a caregiver is demanding enough on its own, but for members of the "sandwich generation," who juggle many roles, it may be downright impossible to keep their emotional and physical well-being in check. Having a strong network of support and being aware of the symptoms of caregiver burnout might help you avoid the exhaustion that many people in the "sandwich generation" go through when taking care of loved ones.

Hundreds of families in the Virginia Beach area have benefited from the in-home care services offered by Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach throughout the years. We are aware that family caregivers from many backgrounds may have feelings of being "sandwiched" between conflicting demands. That is why our method of providing expert in-home care for the elderly can accommodate both their everyday needs and your personal priorities.

What Families in Virginia Beach, VA Should Know About the Sandwich Generation

Is the "sandwich generation" a term you're familiar with? The phrase was created to describe individuals who are taking care of their own children while also taking care of their elderly parents. The Pew Research Foundation reports that 25 percent of adults and 50 percent of people in their 40s are caring for both their parents and their children simultaneously. This trend toward multigenerational housing is rapidly expanding. As few as 7 percent of the U.S. population lived in homes with multiple generations in 1971. By 2021, the percentage had increased to 18 percent, almost tripling from the previous year.

What Are Challenges That Sandwich Generation Caregivers Face?

A growing number of families in Virginia Beach are pitching in to ensure the safety of their elderly loved ones as the trend of "aging in place" gains momentum. Taking care of an aging parent and a young child may, however, make a caregiver's job harder. No matter how important or valuable your responsibilities are, there just isn't enough time in the day to do them all. Due to the fact that you have a lot on your plate, you need to always be careful to remember important dates and appointments. If they have demanding careers, struggle with chronic health conditions, or live far away, many individuals may find it quite challenging to commit so much time to caring for their elderly family.

As a family caregiver from the "sandwich generation," you can find yourself juggling two distinct forms of caring. Self-care might seem more like a job than a choice when this happens. But what if you're so tired that you just want to give up? If anything happens to you, who will look after your family?

Thus, it is important to take the initiative to make time for your particular needs. If you want to be a good caregiver and still take care of yourself, you need to be able to recognize when you're becoming burned out and make a plan to take a break from caring for others so you can recharge your batteries.

How to Recognize Signs of Caregiver Burnout

Always putting other people's needs before your own may be taxing and harmful to your relationships, physical and mental health, and capacity to care for those closest to you. Research suggests that anxiety, depression, or substance abuse affects around 50 percent of unpaid caregivers.

Caregivers in Virginia Beach should know how to tell when they're getting burned out and do something to lighten their load before it gets too much. Knowing the signs of caregiver stress is the first step to protecting your mental and physical health from its harmful effects.

Watch out for these common signs of caregiver burnout:

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

If you're starting to feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities as a family caregiver, it's important to find a way to relax and get support.

Tips for Managing Burnout for Sandwich Generation Caregivers

The sandwich generation was brought up with the belief that everything was possible if one really set their minds to it. On the other hand, if you strive to satisfy everyone all the time, you'll end up stressed and exhausted. Putting it simply, "you can't give what you don't have."

Caring for your children and elderly relatives will become much easier if you allow yourself to relax and prioritize your own health. In spite of this, you may find it challenging to carve out personal time between your many commitments.

Here are some tips to help you relax and recharge when you start feeling symptoms of caregiver burnout:

• Focus on mindfulness and stress relief - Practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or prayer may help caregivers cope with the mental and emotional demands of their duties. Even a brief daily mindfulness exercise may have a significant impact on your mood.


• Seek assistance from your siblings and older children - If you have teens or young adults in your household, ask them to help take care of an old parent so that you can take a break. Assisting elderly loved ones is a wonderful opportunity for grandchildren to bond with their grandparents and spend quality time together. Sharing the burden of caring for an elderly parent is also easier if you have siblings who live nearby and can take on some of the responsibility while you take a break.


• Join a support group - Caregiver support groups in Virginia Beach may be a great place for sandwich generation caregivers to meet like-minded individuals. Having a group of people around you who can help you and talking to people who have been through the same thing might keep you from getting burned out.


• Exercise and maintain a healthy diet - If you prioritize your emotional and physical well-being by eating well and exercising often, you may find it less overwhelming to handle all of your caregiving duties. A daily walk through First Landing State Park is a great example of the kind of moderate exercise that may boost your mood and energy levels. Also, eat less sugary and fatty food and more fruit and vegetable-based meals.


• Talk with your doctor about your stress - When self-care strategies fail to alleviate caregiver burnout, it is recommended to see a medical professional. They might be able to give you some information that will help you feel better physically and mentally.


• Hire professional caregivers from Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach - For families in Virginia Beach who are taking care of an aging relative at home, Visiting Angels offers a variety of services. We provide a variety of specialized home care solutions to let family caregivers take a break if they feel overwhelmed. Different types of care, such as transitional care, palliative care, dementia care, and respite care, are available. With our flexible care plans, you and your loved one may choose the frequency and timing of caregiver visits based on your requirements.

Family caregivers in the sandwich generation should prioritize self-care to enhance their health, perspective, and ability to assist others who depend on them. Visiting Angels of Virginia Beach is a long-standing provider of trustworthy, personalized in-home care for seniors in the Virginia Beach area. Our mission is to alleviate the burden on family caregivers so that seniors may age in place with the help they need.

To get started with in-home care from Visiting Angels, call our Virginia Beach, VA office at 757-216-1934 or fill out our form today to schedule a free in-home consultation!