Despite Our Efforts, The Sandwich Generation is Still Missing These Key Ingredients

There’s a new generation of Americans treading water in the U.S. healthcare sea. The sandwich generation.

Simultaneously responsible for the well-being of their children and aging parents, the sandwich generation has been thrust into becoming caregivers without the adequate resources, networks, or bandwidth to navigate this role.

The burden has serious ramifications – with a lack of time and resources leading to neglected self-care, emotional distress, and financial strain for the millions of Americans serving this dual-role. 

A study from Harvard Business School found that nearly one-third of people who must serve as caregivers for family members have to quit their jobs. Absenteeism and unemployment aside, the addition of dependents stretches household budgets thin, and has resulted in food insecurity for this population soaring to a rate 27% higher than any other generation. 

Helping multigenerational families meet their needs is such a focal point, folks on both sides of the political aisle have recently advocated for more money and resources to be allocated to caregivers. At both the public and private levels, expanding Medicare drug price negotiations, initiating sweeping tax credits for in-home caregivers, allowing seniors to stay in their homes instead of receiving care in nursing homes, and increased access to technology are all bi-partisan approaches to helping caregivers and their loved ones. 

While this serves as a helpful foundation, many still lack the health literacy and benefit knowledge needed to properly care for themselves and their families. The struggle facing this population is very, very real, and the solution requires broader attention. 

The healthcare system must prioritize education, awareness, and communication as ways to successfully engage this generation in health-related activities as one of its top priorities. With the confidence of self-efficacy comes effective two-way communication that will improve care quality and patient health outcomes. 

In my years working with doctors, caregivers, and health plans, we’ve found success with creative engagement touchpoints like food delivery, age-specific health literacy, and even rewards and incentives programs. These touchpoints can positively impact those struggling to stay on top of vital preventive tasks like childhood vaccines, well-visits for preventive health, and other age-related screenings like ear and eye exams. They can be easily delivered through audience-specific communication channels, like print materials, social media, or even text messaging. For the sandwich generation, one size does not fit all. We must adapt our messaging to the platforms and media that each generation is most likely to use so we can steadily improve self-efficacy for everyone.  

The number of Americans aged 65 and over is projected to double by 2050, coupled with an increased lifespan of many Americans means that the number of folks in the sandwich generation is only going to increase.  

As this critical population grows, it will become increasingly vulnerable. Their financial and emotional pressure will mount, as will noise from external parties.  

These valuable caregivers do not need false claims, empty promises, or even more technology to stay on top of. They need access to health education and literacy, healthy food, and seamless self-efficacy tools. 

Caregivers are altruistic by nature. Collectively we can return the favor by setting them up for success, making their lives – and the lives of those they care for — easier, happier, and healthier.  

Photo: EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER, Getty Images

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