What is the sandwich generation?
Imagine the stress of juggling a full-time job and caring for your children, all while also looking after the needs of an aging or ill parent. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many Canadians. These “caught-in-the-middle” caregivers are often between the ages of 40 and 64, are disproportionately female, and are commonly referred to as “dual caregivers” or the “sandwich generation”.
With Canadians living longer, healthier lives, and with the difficulty in finding childcare in Canada, this demographic is common in the workforce.In fact, it is estimated that more than 6.1 million employed Canadians, or about 35% of the workforce, are also providing care to a family member or friend.
While caregiving can help give people a sense of purpose or bring them closer with their loved ones, the stress and responsibilities of caring for two generations at the same time can take a toll on an individual’s mental health and overall well-being. In this article, we will explore the challenges that sandwich generation employees might struggle with, and outline some strategies that employers can use to support this group of workers.
Challenges faced by the sandwich generation
Members of the sandwich generation may face several challenges related to their significant caregiving responsibilities. Lycia Rodrigues, a caregiver support manager with Family Caregivers of British Columbia, was interviewed in an episode of the Beyond Age podcast. Rodrigues said that caring for a loved one is often an invisible load, and can have a lasting impact on an individual's mental health and well-being.
One of the most significant challenges for sandwich generation caregivers is the balancing act between managing the needs of both generations. As a result, sandwich generation caregivers may struggle to find time to satisfy their own needs, which can result in poor self-care, increased loneliness due to a lack of time for socialization, and increased risk of burnout.
Caregivers also might need to be absent from work in order to be able to fulfill their caregiving responsibilities. Additionally, they might be more distracted at work, or even feel pressured to leave the workforce altogether.In fact, it’s estimated that $1.3 billion is lost annually in Canadian workforce productivity due to caregiving.
Additionally, caring for two generations can contribute to financial stress, given that caregivers may need to reduce their working hours, or take time off from their jobs, in order to provide care. “Financial stress is a big one … because many people stop working,” said Rodrigues. “We don’t have a lot of financial support for family caregivers at this time in many provinces.”
Furthermore, the emotional burden of watching a parent age or suffer from an illness, while also caring for dependent children, can be overwhelming. This emotional toll can, in turn, negatively impact mental health. Caregivers may experience significant feelings of guilt, in that they may feel like no matter how hard they try, they are never able to meet everyone’s needs.
Importance of mental health support for dual caregivers
Studies have shown that dual caregivers are at higher risk of developing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. These mental health consequences can have implications in the workplace, especially when it comes to work performance and productivity. The Canadian Association of Mental Health found that at least half a million Canadians miss work due to a mental illness every week, at an estimated cost of $51 billion each year.
Therefore, supporting your employees with their caregiving responsibilities can have a wide range of benefits. It can lead to increased employee commitment and loyalty, reduced employee stress, and fewer unplanned work absences.
Strategies to support the mental health of sandwich generation employees
Here are 5 strategies that employers could consider implementing when considering how to best support the mental health needs of sandwich generation employees:
- Flexible work arrangements. If possible, consider some flexibility around how, when, and where work is completed. For example, early or late starts, working longer hours to make up for time off, or split shifts.
- Employee family assistance programs (EFAPs). Most EFAPs offer professional counselling to help members deal with stress or mental health issues and can connect individuals with additional supports.
- Access to mental health and caregiver resources. Learn about community programs and services for caregivers and pass this information along to your staff members. The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence offers a list of resources that may be helpful. Furthermore, consider reviewing your benefits plan to see whether you can offer a more comprehensive mental health program. Reach out to your usual Manulife representative for more information.
- Training and education on mental health and caregiver awareness. Offer leaders and managers training and tips on how to respond to the workplace needs of employees who are caregivers. This might include working with an organization to host awareness sessions for leaders. “In our workspace, it would be great if we had more awareness,” said Rodrigues. “It's all about being aware about how stressful it probably is and how demanding [it is]. It's more than full-time work.”
- Creating a supportive work culture. Develop policies and practices that create a caregiver-friendly environment, such as expanding the definition of ‘family’ in your leave policies, or including family members who do not live in the same household. Encourage staff to share ideas about developing a better work-life balance, or raise awareness about the demands placed on the sandwich generation by providing information sessions. Finally, draw awareness to manager training programs such that managers feel empowered to help improve and maintain the mental wellness of employees.
Finding balance with employer support
In conclusion, sandwich generation caregivers may face many unique challenges as they balance the care needs of aging parents and their own children. As a result, these responsibilities can have a significant impact on the mental health and overall well-being of these employees.
By utilizing the above strategies, employers can help improve the well-being of caregivers and help bolster the overall health of their workforce.
To learn more, you can check out the full Beyond Age podcast episode titled The Sandwich Generation: How family caregiving impacts health and longevity.
