Adult Children and Older Parents: The Sandwich Generation Changes in the age of marriage and child rearing, coupled with increased life expectancy, have led to a phenomenon known as the “sandwich...

Adult Children and Older Parents: The Sandwich Generation

Changes in the age of marriage and child rearing, coupled with increased life expectancy, have led to a phenomenon known as the “sandwich generation” among baby boomers. This can be a very stressful position with increased demands on one’s time, energy, finances, and emotional resources. Most elderly people live either alone or with relatives, usually their grown children. Fewer adults live in institutions like nursing homes, although with more social acceptability, more elderly individuals are living in institutions. Other elderly people are homeless or living in abject poverty. Elderly people living with adult children often live happy, full lives. Sometimes, though, various stressors can lead to frustration and abuse. Most abuse of the elderly is perpetrated by relatives, primarily by adult children. However, most caregivers do not abuse their elderly charges. So, what do you think?