In a recent Business Insider piece, a young mother described welcoming her first child only to find herself caring for her own aging father just months later. Suddenly, she was managing two generations at once: figuring out feeding schedules and pediatric visits for her baby while also helping her father navigate daily routines and medical care.
Economists use the term “sandwich generation” to describe people in her shoes, caught between caring for children and supporting aging parents. Across the United States, millions of families are navigating this situation. Nearly 1 in 4 American adults now identifies as part of the sandwich generation, responsible for helping both children and older relatives. Among caregivers specifically, about 29% are supporting children and adults at the same time.
Families who pay for child care now pay an average of more than $14,000 per year nationwide, with prices climbing even higher in many cities. In some communities, infant care rivals a monthly mortgage payment. Meanwhile, elder care costs are rising rapidly, too, as Americans live longer and the demand for in-home help grows.