Baby boomers are increasingly becoming members of "The Sandwich Generation."  Referring to the fact that this generation is helping support their aging parents and their own children, baby boomers, now age 55 to 62, are stressed financially and physically.

Around 25 percent of this generation is caring for their parents.  Responsibilities include getting groceries, picking up prescriptions and taking aging parents to doctor appointments.  Others are even more involved by handling finances and physical care.

Viewing this caregiver role as appropriate because their parents took care of them, these boomer caregivers are getting tired.  Employers are beginning to realize that their employees need care, too.  Stress relievers include flex-time, sick days, seminars about community resources and elder care conducted in the workplace, and compassion from the boss when an employee must leave work.

As a caregiver, take a deep breath and assess the situation your senior is now facing.  Collect their personal information (social security number, date of birth, medical history, health care providers, and insurance).  After you have this information, which will be asked for at virtually every appointment, begin to research what type of community support is available.  Think about immediate care -- asking what type of help your senior needs immediately is important.  Also, plan for future care by anticipating the type of help needed as the parent’s condition continues.

Have a family meeting with all anticipated caregivers.  The aging parent should be involved in making as many decisions as they can for themselves.  After all, you are there to enhance their freedom and independence, not take it away.  Assign tasks to those at the meeting and try to juggle schedules to realistically meet upcoming needs.  Common community outreach programs including Meals-on-Wheels, visiting nurse programs, and adult day care are available.  Spread the care tasks over several individuals to lessen individual burdens.