Elderly Grandparents are Experiencing an Increase in Age, and its Significance Explained.
In North Carolina, a 46-year-old mother of three named Kathy L. is navigating the complexities of modern family dynamics. For the past year and a half, her family has been caring for Kathy L.'s husband's aunt who has dementia [5]. This experience, while challenging, hasn't been all negative for Kathy L. She feels honored to be able to help care for her husband's aunt and is inspired by her 15-year-old's expressed desire to care for elders in the future, demonstrating the potential for intergenerational care to have a meaningful impact [1].
Kathy L.'s family initially planned to care for the aunt at their home for 12 weeks, but after 8 weeks, they moved her into an assisted living facility. The decision was not an easy one, but the demands of caregiving, especially from the 9-year-old daughter who struggled with the aunt's outbursts, became too much [2].
The family paid out of pocket to move the aunt into the assisted living facility, a financial burden that many family members face during their grandparenting years due to unemployment, underemployment, or contributing to the care of others [6]. Kathy L.'s husband was granted power of attorney for his aunt, taking care of her finances and clearing out and selling her home.
Research by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) shows that rapid demographic changes, particularly declining birth rates and increased life expectancy, are reshaping family networks and kinship structures worldwide [1][3]. The system is fragile and relies heavily on unpaid labor, particularly from women [4].
As fertility rates decline, caregiving and family support responsibilities are expected to concentrate on a smaller number of people, increasing their roles and potential stress [4]. This trend, known as the "sandwich" or "club sandwich" dynamic, occurs when grandparents need financial support or caregiving, and the burden falls on family members who are also caring for children [7].
The MPIDR's research emphasizes the societal implications of these transforming kinship networks, including weakening traditional family support chains and potential challenges for elderly care and social cohesion [1][3][4]. As a result, more families will likely look to public and private institutions to provide care for family members who need it.
The lack of a comprehensive long-term care system for older adults is a serious concern, especially as the population continues to age [8]. Kathy L.'s family moved back to her hometown five years ago to care for her aging parents, a decision that reflects the increasing trend of families taking on caregiving roles within their own communities.
In Kathy L.'s situation, the caregiving duties fall to a smaller number of people, with her also caring for her own father and receiving help with childcare from her mother [9]. This "sandwich" dynamic can take a heavy physical, emotional, and financial toll, highlighting the need for a more robust support system for families navigating these complex caregiving responsibilities.
References: [1] Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research [2] Caring for Elders: A Personal Perspective [3] MPIDR Report: Global Demographic Changes and Family Networks [4] The Caregiving Burden on Fewer Family Members [5] Caring for a Loved One with Dementia [6] Financial Struggles of Caregiving [7] The Sandwich Generation [8] The Need for a Comprehensive Long-Term Care System [9] The Sandwich Dynamic: Multigenerational Caregiving
- Kathy L.'s family's experience with caring for her husband's aunt has highlighted the importance and impact of intergenerational care on family-health and wellness.
- Rapid demographic changes, such as increased life expectancy and declining birth rates, are altering family networks and kinship structures globally, putting a strain on family health, specifically when it comes to aging parents and grandparents.
- The lack of a robust long-term care system is a significant concern, especially as the population continues to age, and families like Kathy L.'s are forced to bear the financial, emotional, and physical toll of the sandwich or club sandwich dynamic, where they are caring for both their children and aging parents.
