The Sandwich Generation: How to Prepare to Care for Aging Parents While Raising Little Ones
Updated: Sep 27
I'll be honest. Until this interview, I thought "the Sandwich Generation" meant you were so busy caring for your kids and your parents that sandwiches were the only thing you had time to make for dinner.
It turns out it means something a lot more important for moms like us.
On this mini episode of the Teaching Your Toddler podcast, I talked with Scott Parrish, President of the Visiting Angels National Franchise Organization, about what the Sandwich Generation really is and how to get ready before an aging parent needs help.
Watch the video above, then scroll down for the key takeaways, resources and the full transcript.
What is the Sandwich Generation?
The Sandwich Generation is adults who are caring for aging parents or senior loved ones while also raising children at home. They're "sandwiched" between two generations who both need them.
It's a fast-growing group. AARP's Caregiving in the US 2025 report found that 63 million Americans are family caregivers, a 45% increase in a decade. Among caregivers age 50 and under, about half are also caring for kids at home.
Why does it feel so overwhelming?
Scott put it simply: it's the trade-offs. Time spent caring for a parent comes out of time with your own kids, your spouse, your friends, your hobbies and your own mental health.
And most of us don't see it coming. In a new Visiting Angels survey, 62% of caregivers said caregiving started as a sudden need. Many said they didn't feel prepared financially, mentally or emotionally.
3 steps to prepare to care for an aging parent
1. Start the conversation early
Talk with your parents now, while things are calm. Ask what they want: Would they like to stay in their own home? Are they open to other options? What kind of help do they think they'll need?
2. Know your resources
Many caregivers in the survey said they wish they'd done their research ahead of time. Find out what help exists in your area before you need it.
3. Create a plan for the whole family
"You don't have to do it alone," Scott said. Divide up the support your loved one needs among siblings and family so it's a team effort. Asking for help isn't failure. You're probably going to need it.
Get your free Sandwich Generation Starter Kit
Want these 3 steps in a printable you can actually use? My free Starter Kit includes conversation starters for your parents, a resources checklist and a family plan worksheet you can fill in together. Pop in your email and it will land in your inbox.
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Where can caregivers find help?
Your local Area Agency on Aging (find yours at eldercare.acl.gov)
The National Family Caregiver Support Program (acl.gov)
Local home care agencies, like Visiting Angels, who know the resources in your community and can help you plan ahead
Visiting Angels' Sandwich Generation survey results: visitingangels.com/sandwichgeneration
Real Talk on Aging, the Visiting Angels podcast, which recently had an episode on the Sandwich Generation
Frequently asked questions
What does "Sandwich Generation" mean?
It describes adults who care for aging parents or relatives while also raising their own children.
How many Americans are in the Sandwich Generation?
63 million Americans are family caregivers (AARP, 2025). Among caregivers 50 and under, about half also have children at home.
How do I prepare to care for an aging parent?
Start the conversation about their wishes early, research local resources before you need them, and create a shared plan with your family.
Where can I get help caring for an elderly parent?
Start with your local Area Agency on Aging, the National Family Caregiver Support Program, and local home care agencies.
Meet our guest: Scott Parrish
Scott Parrish is President of the Visiting Angels National Franchise Organization. He served 21 years in the U.S. Navy as an officer and Naval Aviator before joining Visiting Angels in 2008 as its first General Manager. He later served as Executive Vice President overseeing corporate operations.
Listen, watch and share
If you're juggling toddlers and aging parents, or you know a mom who is, please share this episode with her. She's not alone.
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Full episode transcript
Read the full transcript
Intro (recorded)
I just learned something new about the Sandwich Generation in this episode that you'll want to hear about. I thought it was referring to being so busy taking care of your aging loved ones AND your children that you had no time to make a full meal, so you ate a lot of sandwiches. But that's NOT what it means! Listen to this mini episode to find out what it does mean.
Our guest today is Scott Parrish, President of the Visiting Angels National Franchise Organization. Scott spent 21 years in the U.S. Navy as an officer and Naval Aviator, holding key leadership roles. He joined Visiting Angels in 2008 as its first General Manager, then served as Executive Vice President overseeing corporate operations, and now serves as President. He has three key ideas on how to prepare to take care of an aging loved one BEFORE the time comes when you must make the decision, often on a very quick time frame. His tips will help you feel more prepared to make the tough decisions that come with being a part of the Sandwich Generation. Enjoy the show!
Marijo: Hello, this is Marijo Tinlin for the Teaching Your Toddler Show. Today we have an excellent guest, Scott Parrish, who is the President of the Visiting Angels National Franchise Organization, to talk to us about a survey that Visiting Angels conducted. First of all, Scott, welcome to the show. Thank you for joining us, and thank you for your service to our country. Tell us, first of all, what is the Sandwich Generation?
Scott: It's great to be with you. Thanks for having me. The Sandwich Generation refers to adults who are sandwiched between caring for their senior loved ones and raising kids at home. And it's a growing reality for many. An AARP survey from 2025 found that 63 million Americans are family caregivers. That's a 45% increase in a decade. And of those 50 and under in that group, half are caring for kids at home.
Marijo: Fifty and under, wow. Okay, so what's extra stressful about caring for both your kids and your parents?
Scott: It's really the trade-offs. When you're caring for your parents, that takes time from caring for your own kids and your immediate family. It takes time from friends. It also takes time from your mental health and the things you like to do, your hobbies. So it's a real trade-off. In that survey, people reported that they didn't feel prepared financially, mentally or emotionally to take on that role. So it can be stressful.
Marijo: Is it because they just don't expect to have to do it, or what do you think is the cause?
Scott: Another interesting finding from the survey: 62% of the people surveyed said caregiving came on as a sudden need, so they weren't prepared. I think it's that lack of preparation, and then managing all of those things when you're not quite ready.
Marijo: I understand you have some steps people can take to help themselves prepare for these responsibilities.
Scott: Yes. First, we really recommend starting the conversation early. Talk to your loved ones about their wishes and the kind of support they think they might need. Do they want to stay in their own home? Are they open to something different? That's very important. Second, know your resources. Many of the people surveyed said they didn't do that research ahead of time, and they wish they had. So get to know the resources in your area that can help you prepare to care for your loved one as a Sandwich Generation caregiver. And third, create a plan for the whole family. The big thing I would love to tell everybody is that you don't have to do it alone. Look at how you can divide up the support your aging loved one needs and make it a team effort. It isn't failure to ask for help, and you're probably going to need help.
Marijo: That's great advice. Where can people get additional guidance if they need it?
Scott: Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good resource. There's also the National Family Caregiver Support Program. But I would really recommend home care agencies in your local area, because they're experts on the resources in that area. Companies like Visiting Angels can be a real partner, even in the planning ahead of time.
Marijo: Fantastic. Thank you so much. Anything else from the survey we need to know?
Scott: Those are the big things. I'd encourage people to go to visitingangels.com/sandwichgeneration to look at the survey results and find out more about caregiving in general. I'd also recommend the Visiting Angels podcast, Real Talk on Aging. It's a great place to hear caregiving conversations like this one, and they recently had an episode on the Sandwich Generation.
Marijo: Oh, excellent. We'll make sure those links are in the show notes so people can find all that information. Scott, thank you so much for joining us today. It's been a pleasure to have you on the show.
Scott: It's been wonderful to be with you. Thank you so much.
Outro (recorded)
This has been the Teaching Your Toddler Show with Marijo Tinlin. Thank you so much for joining us today. If you enjoyed today's show, please leave a five-star review or a thumbs up so we can reach more parents like you. To be notified when new shows post, please subscribe by sending an email to subscribe@teachingyourtoddler.com. For more expert interviews, fun activities, and storytime podcasts, please visit our website at teachingyourtoddler.com. All of our shows are also posted as videos on our YouTube channel at Marijo Tinlin. Find us on Facebook at Teaching Your Toddler, X at Teaching Toddler, Instagram at Teaching Your Toddler, and make sure you check out our past shows. We have so many diverse topics, there's most likely more shows that you will enjoy. Thanks for joining us and come back and see us again real soon.
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