bitten off more than it can chew?
Adults caring for both kids and aging parents face unprecedented financial, emotional and physical stress N early a quarter of U.S. adults care for children as well as their aging parents, according to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, defining them as the “sandwich generation”—a set of adults squeezed by significant financial pressures and time constraints. Of this group, close to 75% are adjusting their retirement goals to provide caregiving and financial support to both groups in need, The data, from a 2025 Athene survey, further showed 44% of “sandwiched” adults are cutting expenses, 34% are delaying retirement and 22% are spending their retirement savings. What’s more, 9% say they no longer expect to retire at all. Such setbacks to future plans are only compounded by the emotional and physical stresses levied by current caregiving demands. And mental health experts, who are often “sandwiched” themselves, are increasingly sounding the alarm for the Sandwich Generation to seek out ways to cope. There are ways for singles and couples who are caring for children and aging parents to reduce stress, take care of themselves and encourage sharing responsibilities with co-parents, siblings and paid assistants. Coping mechanisms minimize negative impacts on physical and mental health for everyone, including older parents as well as children receiving care. “Ideally, families will talk about caregiving needs in advance so there are clear understandings about preferences, resources, and roles. It helps everyone anticipate what may come down the road. Communication is key. It can reduce the chance of a breach between siblings or adult children and caregiving staff,” says Dr. Elizabeth Cassanos, a Santa Rosa-based psychologist. Caregivers who partner with other adults who are uncommunicative should talk to a mental health professional to recognize signs of exhaustion. “You can’t take care of yourself if you don’t know what to watch for. Think of the signs associated with burn-out, fatigue, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, weight changes, headaches, depression, irritability, and losing interest in the things you enjoy. Also be mindful of prolonged periods of isolation and bouts of substance use,” says Dr. Joseph Habis, lead physician and co-founder of Prima Health Group in San Rafael. Members of the Latino community can experience unique sources of stress. These include worries about undocumented status, language barriers for themselves and family members, and struggles to care for parents who live outside the U.S. Latinos can also experience difficulty with finding caregivers who are culturally sensitive and communicate effectively with Spanish-preferring older adults. A number of Latino nonprofits in the North Bay offer advice and resources for caregivers facing these obstacles. “There are a lot of emociones encontrados, mixed emotions, and guilt for those of us who can’t be home with our parents who live in another country. We are also concerned about raising our children far away from our parents, or where we grew up. There are ways to address this, like sending grandchildren to visit grandparents when possible. At times, we can also ask family members and neighbors to ensure elderly parents are looked after,” says Argelia Gómez. Gómez is a behavioral health manager for Canal Alliance, a San Rafael nonprofit that serves the Latino community of Marin County. Gomez says Canal Alliance supports Latinos and immigrants in Marin County with everything from English language classes to referrals for affordable childcare centers. “We’re here to make life easier and determine how to serve Latino residents better,” says Gómez. By Jessica Zimmer
NorthBaybiz 33
September 2025
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator