Caring for elderly parents is a major life challenge that can bring with it much stress. Gloria G. Barsamian, a social worker for 28 years, wrote a new book on the topic -  Sustenance and Hope for Caregivers of Elderly Parents.
Currently, around 34 million Americans are part of the sandwich generation. They provide care for their kids and their elderly parents at the same time.
Barsamian gives some advice on how to prepare yourself for the challenge. In her previous work, the author helped many families cope with catastrophic illness, so she’s specially qualified to offer insight into the social …read more

Many parents are caring for children still at home while becoming responsible for their parents. They’re that “generation between” or the “sandwich generation,” who are parenting in two directions.
When I cared for Mother and Auntie,  I had my dad and my uncle who needed assistance, too.  Father and Uncle Al had physical problems but not dementia or Alzheimer’s.  Mother remained my responsibility for eight years after the others passed away.
My daughter was grown and caring for her children.  So, even though I helped with grandchildren, I didn’t have full responsibility, as many of you do with younger children at home.
The …read more

Kaye from SandwichINK left a comment at my Happy New Year’s post about setting goals that I thought would interest my caregiver readers.
Great goals. It’s so easy to get into such a routine and not stop to think through and be proactive at taking these kind of steps. On top of that, many feel guilty for doing something for themselves. But we are re-energized and recharged and able to bless those we love more when we take these steps.
I especially like Kaye’s insight about our being able “to bless those we love more” when we take care of ourselves.  We’re more …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
Parents of the sandwich generation, who are caring for Alzheimer’s patients and children, will enjoy humorist Tim Bete’s latest book, Guide to Pirate Parenting and Cap’n Billy’s advice on turning your kids into buccaneers.
Tim has been making the rounds of the blogosphere this month to let his fans know about Guide to Pirate Parenting.  He stopped at one of my other blogs,  Home Biz Notes, where we’re featuring home businesses involving writing and publishing this month. 
So Tim gave, 10 Tips for Promoting/Marketing Your Book, which you’ll find interesting if you’re an author, or thinking of writing stories for children or …read more

AlzheimersNotes.com
Many Alzheimer’s caregivers are caught in that “Gen Between” situation, with parents they’re responsible for as well as children.  Elizabeth at b5media’s Gen Between blog relates her own and other’s experiences.
Gen Between’s parents may or may not have some form of dementia.  However, their independence is waning, and the need for care by their children increasing.  Then there are children of various ages living in the household of the Gen Betweens.
So when you need inspiration and encouragment, check out what Elizabeth has to share at her Gen Between blog.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

 AlzheimersNotes.com
Are you a caregiver who also home schools?  You’re caught in that sandwich generation so have children at home whom you’ve opted to home school, while you care for a family member with Alzheimer’s. If so, you might  be affected if a current court ruling is allowed to stand?A judge in California recently ruled, based on a 1950’s law, that home schooling parents must be credentialed teachers for their schools to be legal. 
If you home school, check out the article on this topic, Criminalizing Home Schoolers, a Time/CNN article by Kristin Kloberdanz.
On Feb. 28, Judge H. Walter Croskey of the Second District …read more