Sandwich generation

The sandwich generation is a group of middle-aged adults who care for both their aging parents and their own children. It is not a specific generation or cohort in the sense of the Greatest Generation or the Baby boomer generation, but a phenomenon that can affect anyone whose parents and children need support at the same time.

The phenomenon was recognized in the late 20th century, as changes in lifespan and a later age for childbearing meant that mothers often had small children and frail parents at the same time. For example, in the early 20th century, a woman might have her first child around age 20, when her own parents were around age 40 and not typically in need of any special care. More recently, in developed countries, women often have children closer to the age of 30, when their own parents are around age 60 and therefore at much higher risk of needing support before the grandchildren have become adults.

These "sandwiched" people become responsible for caring for their parents and their children at the same time. They may help their loved ones with daily functioning, medical services and supervision, giving medications, and aiding in financial, legal, and emotional difficulties of their loved ones as well as themselves.^[1][2]