The Sandwich Generation

Adult Children Caring for Aging Parents

Charles R. Roots

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2014
• Topic: Social Sciences
• eBook ISBN:
  9781317776895
• Subtopic: Sociology
• Index: Social Sciences

First published in 1998. Based on the author's personal experience and first encounter as a member of the sandwich generation revealed which revealed they had a great deal to learn. This book considers the aspects and major effects of caring for elderly parents while taking care of children still at home. Most of us have a general idea of how to raise children in the home, but just how do you care for an elderly parent? The focus is on the family, and the responsibilities that are based on scripture, society, and family upbringing. The thrust of this book is to ferret out the real issues of being a parent to both your children and your parent(s): what is more commonly being called the sandwich generation.

Appendix A
Helping Agencies¹

The following list is provided for caregivers who may want to locate specific help.

• Social Security Office

• Social Security benefits Medicare Medicaid

• Public Welfare Office Food stamps

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Meals on Wheels Programs: offered through churches, synagogues, hospitals, nursing homes, or community centers.

• Area agency on aging

• County council on aging

• Homemaker services: available through family service agencies and private organizations.

• Home-health aid programs

• Public health department: visiting nurses

• Services to the blind

• Internal Revenue Services: tax relief for elderly home owners and renters.

• Crime prevention programs

• Adult day-care programs

• Friendly visiting programs

• Telephone reassurance programs

• Counseling services/community mental health center

• Low-cost drugs for older adults

• Information and referral services

• Free medical screening tests

• Recreation programs

• Local nursing homes

• Local retirement facilities

• Special services of the Cancer, Heart, and Diabetes associations

• Transportation services for older adults

• Glaucoma clinics

• Shopping assistance

• Legal services

• Protective services

• Local hospitals: these facilities often highlight services utilized by older adults, such as a stroke rehabilitation team, or physical therapy.

• Local weatherization programs

• Assistance with utility bills

• Escort services

• Handyman services

• Low-income housing

• Other respite care programs

• Support programs

• Self-help groups

NOTES

1. Diane Springer and Timothy H. Brubaker, Family Caregivers and Dependent Elderly (Beverly Hills: Sage Publications, 1984), 126–27.

Appendix B
Sandwich Generation Questionnaire

Distributed to Members of My Dialogue Group

SANDWICH GENERATION QUESTIONNAIRE

Thank you for taking the time today to answer the following questions. Your responses are most helpful to me in the completion of this book.

1. Do you now, or have you previously taken care of both children and parents?

Yes_____

No _____

2. In what ways did you take care of your aging parents? (check what is appropriate)

_____ Assist financially

_____ Brought into your home

_____ Control of finances (billing, investments, etc.)

_____ Admit into a nursing home or retirement center

_____ Became the executor

3. Did you experience economic hardship as a result?

Yes _____

No _____

4. Should family or the government take care of the aging? (pick one)

Family _____

Government _____

Both combined _____

5. Do you favor a govemmentally run health care plan for the elderly?

Yes _____

No _____

6. Have you ever abused your elderly parents?

Yes _____

No _____

Decline to answer _____

7. Euthanasia is an issue in today’s society. Are you in favor of its use on the elderly? (circle two)

a. at a certain age (75 for example)

b. in certain medical conditions (liver cancer for example)

c. patient’s request only

d. physician’s determination

e. family’s joint decision

f. financial expediency

g. under limited conditions only

h. absolutely under no conditions

8. Did either of your parents experience Alzheimer’s Disease?

Yes _____

No _____

9. Should the church be involved in the ongoing care of the elderly?

Yes _____

No _____

10. Would you be interested in a twelve-week study on the Sandwich Generation if offered?

Yes _____

No _____

Comments (please offer anything from your personal experience that might be of interest or that you feel needs to be addressed):

Appendix C
Some Suggestions for Caregivers¹

Plan Ahead—before there’s a crisis. “You need to approach your parent or loved one at a time when things are going well,” says Karen Knutson, a geriatric-care manager. “Ask what their wishes are for long-term care.”

Actively investigate what outside help is available. “People may overlook obvious resources or seek a more drastic solution than is necessary in a crisis,” says Knutson. Maggie Bradbury, R.N., of Advanced Nursing Services in St. Louis, advises: “Speak to agencies on aging in your area, as well as to clergy, who often visit the elderly, and ask what services and organizations have impressed them. Also ask what arrangements have been made by friends of a parent or relative. Word of mouth, asking for referrals, making unexpected visits are all ways to get information.”

Discuss how to pay for care. “Medicare and private health insurance will cover care for stroke victims, but not many services for an Alzheimer’s patient,” says Bradbury. “They also don’t pay for most long-term nursing home care. Parents may resent children asking these questions, but if they don’t ask, the older person can fall through the cracks in the system.”

Consider what help you are able to provide. “Think realistically about what’s do-able,” says Bradbury. Your parents need you as well as care.” Ask siblings to participate: Can someone provide extra money or help on weekends? “Someone who lives far away can make phone calls to gather information,”...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Series Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Half Title
• Introduction
• The Sandwich Generation: A Contemporary Problem
• Willing and Able: Who's Responsible for Whom?
• Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother: An Ethical Paradox
• Multiple Generations: Multiple Sandwiching
• The Role of the Church: A Viable Ministry?
• Education of the Sandwich Generation: A Blueprint
• Conclusion and Analysis
• Summary
• Appendices
• Bibliography
• Index