image depicting the sandwich generation, a woman with her kids and elderly father, they're all smiling
Blog

The Sandwich Generation: Caring for Aging Parents While Raising Kids

Written By
Giselle Bardwell
Published On
September 15, 2025

Balancing the care of aging parents while raising children is a daily reality for many families. Known as the sandwich generation, these caregivers often face unique pressures that combine emotional, financial, and physical demands. 


In this post, we examine what it means to live in this role and the specific challenges of sandwich generation caregivers in Cleveland. You’ll also find practical strategies for juggling these challenges and ways BrightStar Care can help ease the strain.

What Is the Sandwich Generation?

The term sandwich generation describes adults who care for their own children while also supporting aging parents. They are usually in their 30s to 50s, balancing school runs, full-time jobs, and the growing needs of older relatives.
 
Millions identify with this role nationwide, and the number continues to rise as families live longer and children stay financially dependent for longer periods. In fact, about 23% of U.S. adults are currently in this role according to recent studies

For caregivers in Cleveland, this means navigating both elder care and child-rearing responsibilities at once. It’s a demanding role, often invisible to others, but central to family life and community well-being.

Challenges Faced by Sandwich Generation Caregivers

Everyday life can feel overwhelming for sandwich generation caregivers in Cleveland, and the challenges show why caregiving at both ends requires more than goodwill. The pressure often shows up in different ways:
  • Constant time pressure: A caregiver may start the morning rushing to drop children at school, then spend midday transporting a parent to therapy. The overlapping schedules leave little margin for rest or personal time.
  • Persistent guilt:  Many feel torn, believing they are failing one side of the family no matter what. If they attend a parent’s appointment, they may miss a child’s game, and the reverse is equally painful.
  • Blurring of roles: It’s emotionally taxing when adult children become responsible for bathing or financially supporting the very parents who once raised them. These role reversals can create strain within family relationships.
  • Financial strain: The sandwich generation often faces high costs on both ends. College tuition or childcare on one side and long-term care expenses on the other. In Cleveland, these combined costs can push household budgets to the breaking point.
  • Impact on personal health: Stress and disrupted sleep are common amongst family caregivers. Over time, the lack of self-care can affect both physical health and emotional resilience.

Practical Tips for Balance

Mastering how to manage caregiving for aging parents while raising kids requires planning and realistic expectations. These strategies can help reduce caregiver burnout:
  • Streamline household routines: Use shared calendars to coordinate medical visits, school events, and errands. Even small adjustments, like meal prepping on weekends, can free up valuable time during busy weekdays.
  • Lean on workplace flexibility: Many employers in Cleveland now offer hybrid schedules or caregiver leave. Discuss options with HR to protect both your career and your caregiving role.
  • Share responsibility with family: Older children can pitch in with age-appropriate tasks, while siblings or extended relatives may cover specific caregiving shifts. This prevents one person from carrying the full weight.
  • Use caregiver apps and reminders: Tools that track medications and appointments reduce stress. They help multiple family members stay on the same page.
  • Prioritize self-care: Caregivers often neglect their own health. You should consider taking short walks or joining family caregiver programs in Cleveland OH to restore energy and prevent burnout.

When to Ask for Help

Even the most dedicated members of the sandwich generation reach a point where it is no longer sustainable to do everything alone. If you notice that caregiving tasks for children or parents are slipping through the cracks, it’s time to step back. Here are some warning signs:
  • Physical exhaustion: When you often wake up already tired, no matter how long you sleep. 
  • Emotional strain: When irritability or mood swings that feel out of character become common. 
  • Forgetfulness and disorganization: Missing appointments or losing track of important papers are not just mistakes. They’re often a sign that too much is being carried at once.
  • Declining personal health: It is a red flag when you start skipping medical checkups, gaining or losing weight quickly, or notice changes in your sleep pattern.
  • Isolation: Another sign if caregiver burnout is avoiding friends, or stepping away from activities that once brought joy.
  • Financial and work stress: When you struggle to stay focused at work or constantly worry about bills, it can signal that you are struggling to balance things.
  • Persistent guilt: Guilt convinces caregivers that no matter how much they do, it will never be enough. This weight can lead to feelings of resentment.

BrightStar’s Support for Sandwich Generation Caregivers

Caring for two generations often feels like more than one person can handle. Fortunately, BrightStar Care can step in to provide relief. Our in-home care services are designed to match the exact needs of sandwich generation help in Ohio:
  • Family caregiver support: We work alongside families by stepping in where gaps exist. Whether that’s covering mornings before school or evenings after work, our caregivers bring consistency and peace of mind.
  • Companion care: Sometimes what a parent needs most is not medical support, but steady company. Our companion caregivers provide conversation and supervision so seniors stay engaged and safe at home.
  • Respite care services: Caregivers deserve time to rest and manage their own health. Short-term breaks through respite care protect the long-term sustainability of the entire household.
  • Skilled oversight: Our skilled nursing service gives families confidence that wound checks, medication routines, and other medical needs are managed correctly.
  • Pediatric care: For families raising children at the same time, our team can also assist with pediatric home care services. This dual support makes life easier for parents navigating the full weight of the sandwich generation.

Key Takeaways

Life in the sandwich generation is demanding, and caregivers in Cleveland often feel the weight of meeting two sets of needs at once. The responsibilities are real, but so is the support available. By leaning on local program and trusted partners like BrightStar Care, families can find balance and relief.

If you’re ready to explore family caregiver support in Cleveland OH, reach out to us today. Our team can design care that fits your family Together, we can make caregiving more manageable while ensuring your loved ones receive the care they deserve.