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Sandwich Generation

Coweta and Fayette’s “Sandwiched Generation”

Last month was an exciting, yet strange time for many in Coweta and Fayette Counties... Back-to-School dominated the headlines as parents rushed to meet new teachers and get new school clothes and supplies. But in the background, many of those same parents were juggling schedules to also make time to care for their aging parents. Sound familiar ? Welcome to the "Sandwich Generation." Who knew two pieces of bread could also mean bringing together two book-ended generations.

The Sandwich Generation is described by the PEW Research Center as that group of middle-age people (40-59) who are still raising their kids but also taking care of an aging parent. And to keep the food comparisons in play, the Club Sandwich Generation consists of adults in their 50s, 60s and 70s that are sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren. And where does the mayo and mustard fit in? That was a poor effort of trying to make a joke, but it’s no joking matter what lies ahead here locally and nationally for adults in the next decade. The Georgia Office of Planning and Budget estimates the population in Coweta County by 2030 will be around 234,000, with about 18 percent or 46,800 at retirement age. According to AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), some 21 percent of today’s adult population act as caregivers in some capacity. That equates to just over 30,000 adults fulfilling a caregivers role some 13 years from now here in Coweta. In Fayette County, the estimated population will be about 202,700, some 50,600 as retirees. Projections forecast just over 25,000 adults will also serve as a caregiver.

What does all this mean? A look back in the spring might reveal exactly what the future holds. A Forbes.com story on April 30, 2017 reported on a survey by a national senior in-home care company. The survey had responses from 1,000 men and women ages 45-64 across the country as the participants answered questions through either Google Analytics or Social Media. One answer made a definitive statement – 85 percent of the survey participants preferred their aging parents and/or loved ones to age at home. Only 15 percent preferred their parents to age in a senior living facility or community. It also sent the message that a Sandwich Generation is here to stay for quite some time, but with a different twist – aging parents staying at home or moving into the homes of their Baby Boomer or even Generation X children.

And a lot of new adult caregivers will be the result. The reason both Boomers and Generation Xers gave for wanting their parents to age at home was they felt "when the elderly is cared for in their own homes, the experience is more positive than in an assisted living (or similar) facility." Yet, 60 percent of those surveyed also had concerns of handling the responsibilities of caring for their own families along with the addition of caring for their aging parents. It’s that last paragraph that tells you all you need to know about how home care services – specifically Home Helpers of Georgia and Alabama here in Newnan, GA – can provide the needed assistance and remove the worry for all those Sandwich Generation folks today and down the road.

In fact, Home Helpers Care is so much more than just a in-home care agency: we are your extended family when family can’t be there. A perfect solution for adults caught in the Sandwich and Club Sandwich Generations. Another plus, Home Helpers in Newnan is a locally owned, trusted provider of quality, compassionate in-home care. We customize our home-care solutions to your unique situation for an affordable answer that keeps your loved one where they are the happiest – at home – as suggested in the Forbes.com story above. The Sandwich Generation is quickly finding out the enormity of what lies ahead. The importance of being informed and prepared is going to be essential. The well-being of an aging parent(s) requires preparation and decision-making around all of the following areas – medical, legal, financial, geographic, and emotional issues.

Not sure where to start ?

If you and your siblings are ready or need help to figure out how to get ready to navigate this landscape, then Home Helpers of Georgia and Alabama is ready to support your journey. Here are some simple first steps:

We're Here to Help

You have an
urgent situation

You need support you can trust immediately.

We will
come to you

With our FREE In-Home Care Assessment and Home Safety Assessment we can help you through this tough time in the comfort of your own home.

You have a loved one who is in declining health

You want to keep them in their beloved home, but need to know their needs are being cared for.

We'll help you with a plan

With our Cared-4℠ program, we create a customized plan specific to your loved one's needs.

Intro to In-Home Care Intro to In-Home Care
You need additional
support

You have been providing care, but need additional help who can care for your loved one with the same passion that you do.

Exceptional
Caregivers

Our Caregivers are trained and insured. We'll be part of your family, help with the day, and celebrate your loved one.

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Steps to Care

  1. 1.
    Initial Call Once we’ve received your information, we will have a detailed call to gather more information on the care situation, answer any pressing concerns, and set up a time to meet in person.
  2. 2.
    In-home Care Assessment Here we will answer all your questions, and ask some of our own to craft a Cared-4℠ Customized Care Plan to your unique needs.
  3. 3.
    Start of Care We will come with our Caregiver on the first day of care to go through the Care Plan together and help with introductions.
  4. 4.
    Client Visits Once we have begun care, we will pop in at times our Caregiver is there to see how things are going and determine if we need to adjust the Care Plan.