The sandwich generation is under strain due to the aging population — here are 3 strategies to avoid exhaustion.

With the advancement of medical technology and the effectiveness of medicines, mortality rates have decreased, resulting in people living longer than ever before.

Although our efforts to enhance the standard of living have resulted in increased lifespan, this achievement brings about a new challenge: caregiver exhaustion.

Many families find it expensive and unaffordable to provide caregiving labor for their elderly loved ones, while in many Asian societies, it is highly valued for families to keep their elderly at home and personally care for them as they age.

According to John Wong, director of the National University of Singapore's Mind Science Center, caregiving adults in clinical settings are at risk of burnout and feel vulnerable as they realize they will also age in the next 20-30 years.

By 2050, the global population aged 60 and above is predicted to be approximately 22%, according to the World Health Organization.

According to a 2023 report by the United Nations, the number of people aged 65 years or older worldwide is projected to more than double, rising from 761 million in 2021 to 1.6 billion in 2050, and the population of people aged 80 and above is growing even faster.

Some Asian societies are leading the trend.

According to the World Economic Forum, by 2050, approximately 40% of the populations of Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan are projected to be aged 65 and above.

'Sandwich generation'

Smaller nucleus families are a result of both increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates.

The current systems and economies will face new challenges, and these impacts will be felt by future generations.

According to Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University, there's a tendency in the welfare state to outsource elderly care.

"Elderly people often feel isolated and useless, despite having much to contribute to society and the younger generations."

While caring for the elderly at home enhances their well-being, it can also put a strain on younger generations.

The burden of care for the elderly is typically shouldered by the sandwich generation, as society responds to an aging population with increased care needs for frail seniors, according to Wong, an associate professor at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine in NUS.

Middle-aged individuals who are responsible for taking care of both their elderly parents and their own dependent children are known as the sandwich generation.

While caring for their parents and children emotionally and financially, they must also manage their own self-care while pursuing their careers.

Wong stated that one significant distinction between the Baby Boomers and the Millennials/Gen Z generation is the growing focus on pursuing personal career aspirations and fulfilling personal goals before prioritizing family needs.

He added that this could lead to excessive social pressure on Millennials and Gen Z.

According to the Pew Research Center, baby boomers are individuals born between 1946 and 1964, millennials are those born between 1981 and 1996, and Generation Z comprises people born between 1997 and 2012.

Preventing caregiver burnout

Here are 3 tips to help manage the pressure:

1. Prepare ahead of time
2. Have honest conversations with the family
3. Don't forget self-care

It is essential to have open and truthful discussions with family members before entering this stage of life.

Wong proposed that defining one's family value system, setting personal goals, life aspirations, and allocating and committing personal resources would be necessary.

Discussing setting boundaries with parents and children beforehand is crucial to prevent burnout, as he emphasized.

Jialu Streeter, executive director of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, advised having open and truthful discussions with family members and partners about dividing caregiving responsibilities.

Taking care of ourselves is crucial, as it allows us to have the mental and physical capacity to care for our loved ones. Despite the challenges, it's important to prioritize self-care.

Integrating the elderly in society

""Integrating the elderly back into meaningful and useful ways of contributing to society is crucial for their well-being, and it doesn't have to be a burden on young or society," De Neve said to CNBC."

De Neve proposed that governments and young generations should consider ways to reintegrate the elderly into society, ensuring their continued activity, health, and worth as valuable members.

One suggestion is to keep nursery schools and elderly care homes in the same building.

He added, "Consider the advantages, such as broadening the perspectives of young children and giving the elderly a sense of purpose as they witness life flourish through the eyes of a two-year-old."

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