March 2026

Caring for children requires time and energy — and so does caring for aging parents. If you’re juggling both, you’re part of the “sandwich generation,” and it’s no surprise you might feel overwhelmed.

According to a report from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 29% of caregivers are part of the “sandwich generation.” The term describes young or middle-aged adults who are raising children while supporting aging parents or older family members.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, there are practical strategies and resources to help you juggle these responsibilities.

Caregiving tips and resources

1. Stay organized with caregiving apps. Managing multiple caregiving responsibilities can be overwhelming, but apps can help streamline communication and task coordination. When family and friends ask what they can do to help, it can feel overwhelming. Caregiving apps can help, and many are free.

   Top apps to try:

   • CaringBridge: Share updates and assign tasks to friends and family.
   • Lotsa Helping Hands: Create a care calendar to coordinate help with things like appointments, errands, or household chores.
   • MealTrain: Coordinate meal deliveries for loved ones facing illness, recovery, or other challenges.

   Most importantly, be specific about what you need when asking for help. For example, ask for help with tasks like taking out the trash, driving your parents to appointments, or picking up groceries.

2. Outsource tasks to free up time. If you’re struggling to manage everything, consider outsourcing certain tasks to reduce your workload, including:
   • House cleaning service.
   • Lawnmowing or landscape/yardwork service.
   • Snow removal service.
   • Pet walking service.
   • Grocery delivery.

   If possible, hire help for your own home as well, so you can focus on caregiving tasks that require your personal attention.

3. Ask for help. Caring for children and aging parents doesn’t have to be a solo effort. Reach out to family, friends, or neighbors for support. Ideas for sharing the load:
   • Carpooling: Coordinate rides to school or activities with other parents.
   • Playdates: Swap childcare duties with other families.
   • Family support: Ask healthy relatives, such as grandparents or aunts/uncles, to assist with childcare or eldercare.
4. Leverage local resources. Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is a valuable resource for caregivers. They provide a range of home and community-based services that help older adults stay in their homes and communities as long as possible. This includes home-delivered meals, home health care, homemaker/chore services, transportation for errands or appointments, caregiver support services, and much more. Eldercare Locator helps you find a local Area Agency on Aging near you; or call 800-677-1116; or email [email protected].
5. Involve your children. Enlisting age-appropriate help from your children can help not only lighten your load but also build their sense of responsibility. Kids can help cook, wash dishes, do yardwork, and help their grandparents solve tech problems — and they can do this for you, too. These tasks can foster family bonds and teach children the importance of caregiving. Even preschoolers can help push a vacuum, rake leaves, and dry dishes, helping them build skills for the future.
6. Simplify medication management. Managing medications for aging parents can be time-consuming. Simplify the process with 90-day refills for medications your parents or family members take regularly. Medication synchronization means you can pick up most or all medications at the same time. This reduces trips to the pharmacy. Use pill organizers or set alarms to ensure medications are taken as prescribed.
7. Join a caregiver support group. Support groups provide emotional relief and practical advice for caregivers. Whether online or in person, these groups can connect you with others who understand your challenges and share helpful tips. Some groups focus on specific care needs, such as dementia or cancer.
8. Explore additional care options. Adult daycare centers or programs can provide you with a few hours off and offer your parents opportunities to socialize. If it’s financially possible, consider hiring a paid caregiver for a few hours in the morning or evening to help with wake-up and bedtime routines.
9. Reevaluate living arrangements. As your parents age, their current living situation may no longer meet their needs. Ask yourself: Do they need to move to a smaller or one-story home? Does a senior living or assisted living community make sense? Your local AAA may offer a geriatric needs assessment. You can also get expert help through the Aging Life Care Association.
10. Understand insurance benefits. Check with their Medicare/Medicaid plan to find out if they qualify for home health aides, long-term care assistance, or hospice, if applicable. These can all take some of the burden off of you.

Additional resources for caregivers

You can also find lots of other tips, resources, and educational materials through the Family Caregiver Alliance, Caregiver Action Network, and the National Alliance for Caregiving. Remember, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to go it alone.