As the Baby Boomers (known as individuals born between 1946 — 1964) boom, the Sandwich Generation (a generation of people, typically in their thirties or forties) are finding themselves responsible for bringing up their own children and for the care of their aging parents, all at the same time.

Which leads to this very important question. How do we manage to care for everyone, including ourselves, at the same time? The answer has many possible outcomes as to the answer, but the most common and practical would be to prepare in advance by anticipating what the future may hold. One must realize there will be a role reversal, meaning you will become a parent to your aging parents. This is absolutely a life-altering, to say the least, event that could change your life forever.

When possible, create a network of willing friends and family members to join you on this journey. They could help in the many doctor and hair appointments, grocery and prescription management, laundry and housekeeping, meal preparation, along with the yard and home maintenance, which can become overwhelming for only one person. Especially if you yourself have a career and family of your own. If you are an only child or the only child who lives in the area, you can find yourself trapped in a whirlwind, feeling like there is no way out.

Often many options are never explored because Mom or Dad refuses to consider living anywhere other than their family home, where they raised their family. They are desperately trying to hold on to what is familiar and routine to them. Often this can result in isolation, loneliness, and depression. Many older adults fear the financial burden of leaving their homes or hiring in-home help. Don’t forget…they don’t necessarily want to live with any of their children because they don’t want to be a burden. All too often, I have heard someone say that they want to save their money so they can leave to their children or grandchildren. Often at the same time, their children are saying that they just wish that Mom or Dad would let go of their money and use it to care for themselves.

When aging and your independence has been compromised and you are now needing to depend on others for your needs, it may feel like you are losing, or have lost, the natural order of the relationship. Some find that there is very little if any, quality time spent together due to all the “caregiving chores” needed daily. Often, the situation is tolerable if it is temporary and we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. We frequently see, however, the light burning out when dependency needs to increase.

Doesn’t it seem strange that we often base our decisions on how to handle the situation on what we feel we cannot change instead of what we can? Rather than basing our decisions on the negatives, we should focus on the positives. It’s not about leaving home; it’s about a new home with the services necessary to maintain an independent lifestyle. It’s not about leaving your friends; it’s about making new friends and sharing a common interest. This is a great opportunity for a new season in your book of “Life.”

Approached positively and with encouragement, a move or transition from living dependent at home to living independently in a new home, whether it be a personal care home, skilled nursing home, or a memory care facility it can prove to be a great decision for the whole family.

Most all senior care facilities, regardless if they are classified as Independent Living, Personal Care Home, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Home, or Memory Care, the residents live in a loving environment with certified staff on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Services may vary, but typically include but not limited to:

- Assistance with activities of daily living; bathing, walking, dressing, and hygiene
- Medication assistance
- Three healthy meals and snacks daily as prescribed by their physician
- Housekeeping and laundry needs
- Constant health monitoring and assessments

Residents living in a senior care environment will benefit from plenty of opportunities to socialize with family, neighbors, and friends and to participate in social and recreational events and programs. Most of them don’t get this when living alone.
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