CAREGIVING: THE SANDWICH GENERATION | SECOND OPINION WITH JOAN LUNDEN | Full Episode

Summary

In 'Second Opinion with Joan Lunden,' the focus is on the 'sandwich generation,' Americans caring for both children and older relatives. The discussion covers the physical and emotional stress of caregiving, the importance of support systems, and the need for societal and policy changes to aid these 53 million caregivers. Guest Shelly Pollard shares her personal journey, highlighting the guilt and sacrifices involved in balancing care for children and aging parents.

Takeaways

• 🏥 Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies actively support communities by providing meals and safety equipment, and partnering with nonprofits.
• 👵 The 'sandwich generation' is a term for those caring for both children under 18 and older relatives, a situation millions of families face.
• 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Roger Oskvig explains that the stress of caregiving can be physically inflammatory and impact a person's health and lifespan.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Caregivers often feel guilt and stress from balancing care for multiple generations, alongside their own personal and professional responsibilities.
• 👩‍💼 Christine Peck highlights that caregivers' responsibilities don't end when a loved one moves to independent living; they often still manage medication and other care aspects.
• 🏡 Shelly Pollard's personal story illustrates the challenges of juggling full-time work, teenage children, and aging parents' care.
• 🤝 The importance of a supportive network of family and friends is emphasized for managing the emotional and practical burdens of caregiving.
• 💼 Grace Whiting from the National Alliance for Caregiving discusses the significant number of Americans in sandwich caregiving situations and the emotional stress involved.
• 🏛️ Federal initiatives like the RAISE Family Caregivers Act aim to develop a national strategy to support caregivers.
• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Oskvig stresses the need for caregivers to maintain a close relationship with healthcare providers to manage the physical and mental stress of caregiving.
• 🌟 Despite the challenges, caregiving can also bring a sense of meaning and purpose, and create precious moments with loved ones.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Second Opinion with Joan Lunden' series?

The main focus of the 'Second Opinion with Joan Lunden' series is to address healthcare issues and provide insights into various medical topics, as evidenced by the discussion on sandwich generation caregiving in the provided script.

What does the term 'sandwich generation' refer to?

The term 'sandwich generation' refers to a group of Americans who are caring for children under 18 and older relatives at the same time, as coined in 1981 and discussed in the script.

What challenges do sandwich caregivers face according to the transcript?

Sandwich caregivers face dual challenges of caring for children and older relatives, often while being employed full time. They may experience stress, guilt, and a need to balance multiple responsibilities, as highlighted by the experiences shared in the script.

How does Dr. Roger Oskvig suggest approaching the issue of elderly parents' driving safety?

Dr. Roger Oskvig suggests involving the parents and their children in a discussion where he communicates the driving concerns directly to the parents, instructing the children not to talk during the visit, as mentioned in the script.

What is the impact of caregiving on the physical health of caregivers?

The stress of caregiving, especially for multiple generations, can be an inflammatory process in the body that ages various organs and can lead to shorter life expectancies, as explained by Dr. Oskvig in the script.

What resources are available for caregivers seeking support?

Resources available for caregivers include the National Family Caregiver Support Program, community-based organizations, and the Veteran Caregiver Support program for veterans, as discussed by Grace Whiting in the script.

What is the role of primary care practitioners in supporting caregivers?

Primary care practitioners play a role in guiding and advising caregivers through the caregiving process, helping them manage the health and well-being of their loved ones, as suggested by the script.

How does the script suggest sharing the caregiving responsibilities?

The script suggests forming a supportive team with family members or friends, as Shelly Pollard's story illustrates the importance of her 'Three Amigos' support system in caregiving.

What is the significance of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies' role mentioned in the script?

The script highlights the role of Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies in stepping up to help communities in need, expanding care to rural areas, and supporting local nonprofits, emphasizing their commitment to community health.

How does the script address the emotional stress on caregivers?

The script addresses the emotional stress on caregivers by discussing the sense of guilt and the importance of finding meaning and purpose in caregiving, as well as the need for support systems to balance the positive and stressful sides of caring.

What is the importance of having a close relationship with physicians for caregivers?

Having a close relationship with physicians is important for caregivers to maintain their health, as the stress of caregiving can have significant health impacts, and physicians can be allies in managing these effects, as mentioned in the script.