cover of episode Stuck in the Sandwich Generation

Stuck in the Sandwich Generation

2024/6/12
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Uncared For

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Robert Ingenito
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Sujan Pak
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Robert Ingenito: 作为夹心一代,我深感照顾年迈的父亲和年幼的女儿是一项巨大的挑战。我需要平衡他们的需求,这让我常常感到力不从心。我记得在2020年,我的女儿正在进行如厕训练,而我的父亲却中风并摔断了髋骨。我不得不轮流使用女儿的幼儿坐便器和我父亲的坐便器,这真是令人啼笑皆非。此外,在饮食方面,我需要同时满足女儿和父亲的需求,这也很困难。我意识到,父母变成了孩子,孩子变成了父母,这种身份的转变非常奇特。照顾父亲的小任务占据了我生活的大部分,以至于当一切结束时,我感到迷失,并且仍在努力适应。每周给父亲刮胡子成为了一种亲密和个人化的沟通方式,我非常珍惜这些时刻。然而,随着父亲的身体状况恶化,我需要夜里起床照顾他上厕所,这让我无法好好休息。最终,我不得不做出艰难的决定,将父亲送进辅助生活设施。虽然我感到内疚,但我知道这是为了我和我的家人好。在父亲去世后,我的女儿给了我很大的安慰,她天真烂漫的样子让我感到欣慰。 Sujan Pak: 夹心一代面临着巨大的压力,他们需要同时照顾年幼的子女和年迈的父母。这种生活状态常常让人感到不知所措和孤独。罗伯特的故事提醒我们,照顾亲人是一个旅程,最终会失去他们,这会以一种不同的方式继续这个旅程。作为一名看护者,很难做出正确的决定,而且常常会感到内疚和自责。我们应该尽我们所能,给予亲人最好的爱,并让他们在最后的日子里有尊严地生活。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Many caregivers find themselves in the sandwich generation, caring for both young children and aging parents simultaneously while managing work. This chapter explores the challenges and lack of preparation for this life stage.
  • 30% of family caregivers are in the sandwich generation
  • Constant stress, even on good days
  • Lack of preparation for this life stage

Shownotes Transcript

A big chunk of family caregivers in this country are part of the “sandwich generation” – people caring for young children and aging parents at the same time. Robert Ingenito was one of them. After caring for his dad and raising his young daughter while working, Robert came to a breaking point. He decided to move his dad to an assisted living facility. It wasn’t an easy decision, and it’s one he still grapples with today. 

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This season of Uncared For is presented by the Commonwealth Fund, a nonprofit foundation making grants to promote an equitable, high-performing health care system.

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