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 You're rushing out of the office on a weeknight, hoping to get your daughter to soccer practice on time, cook dinner and help your other child with their homework. Just as you hit the road, your cell phone rings. It's the pharmacy telling you that the two prescriptions your father needs immediately are ready for pick up.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you're stuck in the middle and have joined the "sandwich generation." The term refers to adults with families of their own who find themselves caring for their parents as well. According to numbers from the National Family Caregiver Survey, 44 percent of Americans between the ages of 45 and 55 have aging parents or in-laws as well as children under 21.
This means that lots of families are dealing as best they can with the stress of running two households. Whether your parent lives with you, lives nearby or lives in another state, trying to juggle all these responsibilities is stressful, no matter how much support you have from family and friends.
And don't forget the guilt. There's plenty of that, too. Guilt over not spending enough time helping your kids with their homework because you're cooking and freezing meals for your dad. Guilt over making your mom postpone her doctor appointment because your meeting at work ran overtime. Guilt at not having enough time to spend with your spouse.
"Caring for an aging or ill parent is a full-time job that can take a toll on the caregiver. Add to that the demands of your job, lost time at the job plus your immediate family's needs chances are you're going to need assistance along the way," says Lynn Avellino Director of Visiting Angels, American's choice in homecare. "Not everyone needs to be placed into an institutional facility and can remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own home," says Lynn.
To help elderly and older adults continue to live in their home, caring, experienced home caregivers provide up to 24-hour care. In addition to offering joyful companionship, they can provide a vital link in patient care. Although they are non-medical caregivers, they are an important link between the patient, their family and their doctor.
Caregivers will also do light housekeeping, run errands, prepare meals or do shopping - other ways they can provide a respite for families dealing with the care of a loved one.
Visiting Angels is located at 2792 Egypt Rd in Audubon, PA and can be reached at 610-650-0930 anytime day or evening or visit the Web site: www.visitingangels.com. |
