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 issue.

Talk About the Issue Before
Barsamian suggests that you find out what your parents want their care to be like. She notes that it’s important to have the conversation before the urgency arrives.

Get the Right Help
The author recommends determining if a home setting is appropriate. Perhaps your loved one can remain in their own home, but assisted living/nursing home care could be required.

Don’t Go It Alone
Barsamian urges you to reach out to extended family and friends for help. Take shifts and divvy up responsibilities. Try to create a whole circle of caregivers to ease the burden.

Understand the Finances
The cost of caring for a parent can escalate rapidly. Barsamian suggests researching what options and resources are available within your family and outside help.

Care for the Caregiver
The author recommends taking time to care for yourself too. You should pay attention to your mental and physical health.

Sustenance and Hope for Caregivers of Elderly Parents is available from several national retailers and online at amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.

(Book cover image: Praeger)

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New Book for Caregivers of Elderly Parents

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 balancing act is such challenge that you do need others to support you, even beyond family members.  Find support groups, both online and off.  Attend workshops that will give you insight and information.

Above all, take care of yourself. Find some time for yourself.  You must realize you are important and the balance of everything rests on you.  Caregiving for parents, along with children,  may not be a responsibility you sought, but it’s there.

Maintain a sense of humor. You’ll find those you are caring for generally respond better when there is laughter around.  You’ll feel better for it, too.

Share with us here some of your secrets of coping.

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Are You Parenting in Two Directions?

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 patient, more loving, more able to laugh and enjoy, more thoughtful, more caring…when we’ve gained rest and inspiration ourselves.

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Caregivers – Care for Yourselves

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 adults.

If you have questions for Tim, stop by the Home Biz Notes post and leave them in the comments.

(Amazon image)

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Guide to Pirate Parenting for the Sandwich Generation

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

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Check out “Gen Between” if You’re a Parent & Caregiver

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 Court of Appeals in Los Angeles ruled that children ages six to 18 may be taught only by credentialed teachers in public or private schools – or at home by mom and dad but only if they have a teaching degree.

Of course, it’s predicted this will be appealed. However, if you’re a homeschooling parent, you may want to keep on top of what transpires. Even though you don’t live in California, you’ll want to know whether this eventually could affect the state where you live or be instituted there.

What do you think about the idea that home schooling parents should be credentialed teachers or face criminal charges?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

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Will Caregivers, Who Also Home School, Be Considered Criminals?