January 30, 2023
BONUS HEALTH POWER EPISODE: 5 Ways to Survive the Sandwich Generation with Dr. Lakelyn Eichenberger
Health Power: The OG Health Podcast & Dog-Eared PodcastAbout this episode
Send us a text Lisa is joined by Dr. Lakelyn Eichenberger from Home instead to share research on the sandwich (or panni) generation and ways to survive! Dr. Lakelynn Eichenberger who has dedicated her career to educating professionals, families and communities on how to navigate the unique challenges older adults and family caregivers face. She is a seasoned public speaker and expert on aging issues, appearing on conference stages such as Aging in America and Meals on Wheels, and programming such as Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil and the Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family Show. According to Pew Research , more than one in 10 U.S. parents with children under the age of 18 are also caring for an aging adult. As the average life expectancy continues to increase, and families wait longer to have children, the demands on those caring for generations on either side of them only intensifies. A recent survey of 1,000+ individuals who care for aging parents and have children under the age of 17. These caregivers were all over age 18 and located in the U.S. and Canada. The results of the survey, spsonsored by Home Instead, revealed: Over half of the sandwich generation (59%) doesn’t know where to turn or how to ask for help when it comes to relief from their caregiving duties. Nearly half (48%) have avoided personal travel, cut expenses, or shifted budgets (45%) to meet responsibilities of caring for an aging parent. Almost one in four of the sandwich generation (23%) have quit a job that made it too hard to be a caregiver for an aging loved one. Most working panini generation caregivers agree that people are more understanding about taking time off to care for a sick child than to care for a sick parent or parent-in-law (76%) Almost all working panini generation caregivers agree it would help if their company provided eldercare resources referrals (96%) and explicit policy to use personal/sick time to care for a parent/parent-in-law (95%). Listen to hear the 5 Ways to Survive the Sandwich Generation too!