Panini bread, romaine lettuce, plum tomato, Swiss cheese, smoked turkey, dab of mayo and Dijon mustard … some delicious fixings for an awesome sandwich. Depending on your likes, there are many other types of sandwiches people across the globe create daily. But aside from foodies’ needs and desires, there’s another type of sandwich being concocted. It is a sandwich made when an adult or couple cares for both older parents and children, which is better known as the Sandwich Generation.

What is the Sandwich Generation?

Dating back to 1981, the term ”sandwich generation” was coined by two women, Dorothy Miller and Elaine Brody, and was primarily introduced to social workers and gerontologists. At that time, the middle generation in the sandwich was Baby Boomers. As time marched on, the adult or couple shifted to Generation Xers. And today, the sandwich generation is largely composed of Millennials.

In the 1980s, the term was specifically used to describe women in their 30s to 40s who were “sandwiched” between aging parents and young children acting as everyone’s caregiver. Fast forward to the 21^st century, where the term is defined more accurately as a couple between the ages of 40 and 65 who are caring for older children and elderly parents.

What are the Statistics for the Sandwich Generation?

In 2022, the Pew Research Center looked into the numbers, and according to their findings, about a quarter of U.S. adults between the ages of 40 and 60 is rearing a child and caring for a parent. In fact, approximately seven to 10 million adults are caring for an elderly parent from a long distance. Additionally, when evaluating U.S. Census Bureau data, these statistics will increase. The government agency believes that by 2040, there will be more than 78 million Americans over the age of 65.

The National Alliance for Caregiving along with AARP conducted their own study titled “Caregiving in the U.S. 2025.” The study found that 24 percent of caregivers provide 40+ hours of weekly care and one in five struggled to afford basic needs.

Why Is the Sandwich Generation Growing?

The number of sandwich generation caregivers is rising due to longer life expectancy, increased healthcare needs, and more adults having children later in life.

Do you ever feel like you’re being pulled in every direction? Many adults today are balancing careers, raising children, and supporting aging parents all at once. If this sounds familiar, you may be part of the sandwich generation.

Are There Different Types of Sandwiches?

Believe it or not, there are different types of sandwiches that make up this unique generation: traditional, club and open. Sandwich generation authority Carol Abaya defined each of the sandwich types as follows:

Traditional: adults sandwiched between aging parents who need care and/or help and their own children.

Club: adults in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren, or adults in their 30s and 40s with young children, and both aging parents and grandparents.

Open: anyone else involved in elder care.

A Growing Caregiving Reality

Millions of Americans are providing unpaid care to loved ones, often without formal training or enough support.

• Many caregivers help with daily living tasks, medical coordination, or financial support.
• Others are managing full-time jobs while caregiving at home.

What are Some of the Challenges Faced by the Sandwich Generation?

The sandwich generation faces numerous challenges, and many are dependent upon age and generational needs. For instance, an infant has different needs and issues based on trust and mistrust; a toddler’s fall under autonomy and shame; a preschooler with initiative and guilt; an adolescent with identity and role confusion; a young adult with intimacy and isolation; a middle-aged adult with stagnation; and an elderly person with despair.

As our children get older, they move away and transition from being dependent to independent. For an aging parent, the reverse is true. As our parents get older and undergo normal decline, they require more assistance and thus transform from independence to dependence.

Why Caregiving Feels Overwhelming

Being “caught in the middle” can create emotional, financial, and physical strain.

You may feel:

• Pulled between responsibilities
• Guilty for not doing enough
• Constantly short on time

While these feelings are common, it’s important to remember: You don’t have to do everything alone.

The Impact on Health and Why Support Matters

Caregivers often put their own needs last but over time, which can take a toll.

According to the American Psychological Association, prolonged caregiver stress can contribute to fatigue, anxiety, and even chronic health issues. While caregiving can be deeply meaningful, it’s also one of the most demanding roles a person can take on.

Access to the right healthcare support, preventive care, and community resources can make a significant difference for both caregivers and their loved ones.

Have questions or want more information?

If you’d like to learn more or have general questions about Medicare, you can call SECUR Health Plan at 1.833.76SECUR (1.833.767.3287). TTY callers can use 711. Our team is ready to answer your questions and support your health journey.