Research shows that people who adopt a caregiver identity are likelier to reach out for support and feel connected to others facing similar challenges. That shift matters for mental health and for how families plan time, money and legal choices. Practical steps—from tapping local aging services to exploring workplace leave options—can reduce burnout and preserve relationships that matter long term.
If you find yourself sandwiched between generations, there are concrete resources and community networks worth exploring. Learn what works for families balancing these roles and how small changes can protect your energy and resilience. Read the full KFF Health News piece to hear personal stories and actionable tips that link caregiving to broader ideas about human potential, growth and belonging.
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Being a family caregiver is hard work. On June 17, KFF Health News Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony joined WAMU’s Health Hub to discuss her experience with parenting while also caring for aging parents. Listen in as she shares tips for other members of the “sandwich generation.”
(DigitalVision/Getty Images)
Are you juggling the responsibilities of raising children and having aging parents?
Navigating that role can come with new responsibilities, stressors, and unexpected expenses, but claiming the caregiver identity can help. Researchers have found that people who identify as caregivers are more likely to use support services and feel a sense of community with others.
KFF Health News correspondent Cara Anthony joined WAMU’s Health Hub on June 17 to share her experiences as a parent with aging parents.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.This <a target=”_blank” href=”https://kffhealthnews.org/mental-health/sandwich-generation-caring-for-children-aging-parents-resources/”>article</a> first appeared on <a target=”_blank” href=”https://kffhealthnews.org”>KFF Health News</a> and is republished here under a <a target=”_blank” href=”https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/”>Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License</a>.<img src=”https://kffhealthnews.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/kffhealthnews-icon.png?w=150" style=”width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;”>
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