Sandwich generation
Encyclopedia
The Sandwich generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children.
In the United States, Sandwich Generation Month is a month of awareness to commemorate and celebrate the dedication, patience and caring of adults who are part of the Sandwich Generation - those caring for their children as well as their own aging parents. Sandwich Generation is officially registered within the National Special Events Registry as an annual national observation
, occurring each July 1-31. Events are held throughout the United States
in annual commemoration of the national observation. Sandwich Generation Month brings the community
and families together to heighten understanding of the special needs of the Sandwich Generation. It also spotlights community support available to those working hard to maintain multi-generational families.. According to the Pew Research Center
, just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent, in addition to between 7 to 10 million adults caring for their aging parents from a long distance. US Census Bureau statistics indicate that the number of older Americans
aged 65 or older will double by the year 2030, to over 70 million.
Carol Abaya categorized the different scenarios involved in being a part of the sandwich generation.
Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006.
In the United States, Sandwich Generation Month is a month of awareness to commemorate and celebrate the dedication, patience and caring of adults who are part of the Sandwich Generation - those caring for their children as well as their own aging parents. Sandwich Generation is officially registered within the National Special Events Registry as an annual national observation
Observation
Observation is either an activity of a living being, such as a human, consisting of receiving knowledge of the outside world through the senses, or the recording of data using scientific instruments. The term may also refer to any data collected during this activity...
, occurring each July 1-31. Events are held throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in annual commemoration of the national observation. Sandwich Generation Month brings the community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
and families together to heighten understanding of the special needs of the Sandwich Generation. It also spotlights community support available to those working hard to maintain multi-generational families.. According to the Pew Research Center
Pew Research Center
The Pew Research Center is an American think tank organization based in Washington, D.C. that provides information on issues, attitudes and trends shaping the United States and the world. The Center and its projects receive funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts. In 1990, Donald S...
, just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent, in addition to between 7 to 10 million adults caring for their aging parents from a long distance. US Census Bureau statistics indicate that the number of older Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
aged 65 or older will double by the year 2030, to over 70 million.
Carol Abaya categorized the different scenarios involved in being a part of the sandwich generation.
- Traditional: those sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children.
- Club Sandwich: those in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, or those in their 30s and 40s, with young children, aging parents and grandparents.
- Open Faced: anyone else involved in elder care.
Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006.