Watch Sundays at 10:00 AM for new episodes.
Latest episode: Sunday, Jan. 20, 2007
Show topic: Family caregiving & The Sandwich Generation
Hosted by Cheryl Jennings
On the next Beyond the Headlines, we are going to take a look at the strains facing family caregivers, especially those in the sandwich generation. The sandwich generation is made up of aging baby boomers who are now juggling care for an ailing family member with work and care for their own children. As the life expectancy of Americans increases, our need for elder care increases as well. And it is usually the family members who step up and meet the need. According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, and estimated 44 million American adults are providing care and support to the elderly and disabled. This unpaid labor force has been valued at $306 billion annually. Also, as caregivers get older, they spend more and more time caring for their loved ones – leading to increased problems with their own mental and physical health. The average caregiver is age 46, female, married and working outside the home earning an annual income of $35,000. Overall, 77% of caregivers are female. And over 50% of caregivers in one study reported experiencing anxiety or depression within the past six months. We'll learn about the Family Caregiver Alliance, which helps caregivers with information, resources, and support. We'll hear one woman's personal story about juggling care for her 4-year-old son, her 88-year-old mother, and her 90-year-old uncle. And we'll discuss the option of adult day services, which offers a respite for caregivers and out-of-the-house activities for loved ones.
Studio Guests
Dr. Dolores Gallagher-Thompson
Director, Older Adult & Family Research Center, Stanford University
(650) 493-5000, x22005
1-800-943-4333
www.med.stanford.edu/oafc/
Donna Schempp, LCSW
Program Director, Family Caregiver Alliance
dschempp@caregiver.org
1-800-445-8106
www.caregiver.org
Constance Adamopoulos
Family Caregiver
www.organizedchaosevents.com
Maureen Dixon
Adult Day Service Network of Alameda County
(510) 577-3543
maureen@adsnac.org
www.adsnac.org
Additional Adult Day Services Resources
Adult Day Service Network of Alameda County
(510) 883-0874
www.adult-day-services.org
Adult Day Service Network of Contra Costa County
(925) 682-1000
www.adultdaycc.org
Adult Day Service Network of San Francisco County
(415) 449-2900
www.sfadultday.org
In other counties contact the Area Agency on Aging in your county.
Additional Resources
Alzheimer's Association
1-800-272-3900 (24 Hour Hotline – available in multiple languages)
www.alz.org
