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eneration ndwich G Sa The if REACH OUT Arranging for help is a vital part of the planning process. According to the American Psychological Association, the stress of caregiving can lead to depression and other health problems. Many sandwich generation women say they experience extreme stress, yet also report they do not manage it well. In a report by the National Association of Social Workers, nearly half of sandwich generation women felt they should be able to handle caregiving responsibilities on their own, and 24 percent said they didn't know where to turn for help. "It's important for people to know they do not have to do it all alone," Dr. Burke says. "They need to enlist the help of other relatives, friends and community organizations. It's also important for the entire family to have an honest conversation with their family physician. We can help with coping strategies, clarify medical issues and connect people with helpful resources." Who Is the Sandwich Generation? » 75 percent of middle-aged adults currently provide some kind of assistance to an aging parent. » 21 percent of Hispanic adults currently provide financial support for three generations of family members, compared with 8 percent of African Americans and 5 percent of Caucasians. » 48 percent of adults ages 40 to 59 gave a grown child some form of financial assistance last year. » 68 percent of all adults say a parent older than 65 leans on them frequently or sometimes for emotional support. » 29 percent of adults in their 50s have a parent who needs help on a daily basis. To learn more about managing your family's health, visit TexasHealth.org/Well-Being. 3 TexasHealth.org TexasHealth.org you are balancing the needs of your aging parents and dependent children, you are not alone. A recent Pew Research Center survey showed 47 percent of adults ages 40 to 59 have a parent older than 65, as well as a child, to support. Today, 31 percent of all Hispanics are in this situation, along with 24 percent of Caucasians and 21 percent of African Americans. Most people see it as their responsibility to help care for an aging parent, yet when the need first arises, they are often unprepared. "Many people don't expect a parent to need as much care as a 5-year-old child," says Bill Burke, D.O., family physician on the medical staff at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance. "People need to understand that several generations caring for one another is actually a normal part of family life. The more the entire family prepares, the better they do long term." Meeting the needs of multiple generations of family members, while pressed by time and financial constraints, leaves many middle-aged adults feeling squeezed.

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