Sandwich generation: caring for kids and a parent at once

School pickup at 3:15. A pharmacy call at 3:20. A parent's appointment on the same afternoon as your child's recital. If that sounds like your week, you are in what people call the sandwich generation: caring for children and an older adult at the same time.

You are not an exception. In the 2025 report by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, Caregiving in the US 2025, 29 percent of caregivers fall into the sandwich generation category, simultaneously providing care for children and adults. Among caregivers under 50, that share rises to 47 percent. (These are US figures. We have not found matching national numbers for Canada or Australia, so we are not quoting any.)

This page offers practical ideas for staying afloat. It is general information, not medical or professional advice.

Say the load out loud

It is easy to feel that everyone else is coping. The numbers above suggest many people are in the same position, and talking about it is a first step. Name what you are carrying to your partner, a friend or a sibling, and be specific: "I need someone to cover Thursday appointments," rather than "I'm overwhelmed."

Be honest with your children

The Family Caregiver Alliance suggests explaining to your children what is happening, how you feel, and why you have less time for them than before. Answer their questions directly and listen to their worries without brushing them off.

Some ideas from the same guide:

• Set aside one-on-one time for each child, such as lunch with a teenager, or an errand with a younger child that ends at a place they enjoy.
• Give children small, real jobs. A young child can bring a blanket to a grandparent. An older child can read aloud or help find a lost item.
• Let them say no. Respect their choices about whether and when to take part, while still modelling caring behaviour.
• Expect mixed reactions. Teens may feel sadness, grief or embarrassment about a relative's physical care, and young children may be frightened by upsetting behaviour.

Hold a family meeting

When you feel overwhelmed or resentful, the Family Caregiver Alliance recommends a family meeting. Let each person share feelings without judgment, then divide tasks together. If conflicts stay unresolved, a family counsellor can help.

If the sticking point is siblings, read when siblings disagree about caring for a parent.

Delegate and stay organised

Caregiver Action Network suggests a few practical moves for sandwich generation caregivers:

• Delegate. Ask siblings or extended family to take tasks, and look into community senior resources.
• Use a tool to coordinate. A caregiving app or shared calendar can track tasks, appointments and medication schedules.
• Talk with your employer. In the US, you may be eligible for job protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, and you can ask about flexible work arrangements. Other countries have their own rules, so check with your employer or your government's benefits site.
• Build a budget. Plan for caregiving costs now and for your own long term savings. Our guide to caregiver benefits and tax credits points to support you may be able to claim.

Put the medicines in one place

Medicines are a small task that can create a big mess when you are stretched thin. Keep a single, current list for your parent, with the dose and the time of day, and bring it to every appointment. The free Medicine and Doctor Sheet below is built for exactly that.

Protect your own energy

Caregiver Action Network recommends scheduling time for exercise, reading or friends, and seeking emotional support from support groups or online communities, which can ease isolation, guilt and stress. Our guides on caregiver burnout and caregiver guilt go deeper.

If your parent lives far away, you are also doing this at a distance. Start with caring for a parent from a distance.

Where Cureva fits

Cureva is a personal and family health companion for caregivers, launching soon. It lets family members see a parent's medicine list and get a notification if a dose is missed, so one person does not have to carry every reminder alone. Join the waitlist, and take the free checklist now: cureva.app/free.

Sources

• AARP, "Exclusive: AARP-NAC Report Finds 45% Increase in Americans Providing Care" (Caregiving in the US 2025): https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/basics/caregiving-in-us-survey-2025/
• AARP Public Policy Institute, Caregiving in the US 2025: https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-2025/
• Family Caregiver Alliance page on sandwiched caregivers: https://caregiver.org/sandwiched-caregivers-middle
• Caregiver Action Network, "The Sandwich Generation: Balancing Care for Parents & Children": https://www.caregiveraction.org/sandwich-generation/