A good friend of mine is in her 50s and getting closer to retirement. She and her husband hope to live a life more filled with leisure and self-discovery, but economic realities have created new caregiving responsibilities that often make leisure sound like a fantasy. My friend is part of the “Sandwich Generation.” She’s not only taking care of her mother-in-law, but her son who just graduated from college is living there as well.
People like these are caught in a whirlwind of supporting adult children while tending to aging parents. This demographic faces a perfect storm of economic change, longer lifespans, and shifting family dynamics. This can be a minefield of emotional and financial challenges for retirees everywhere, demanding our attention and innovative solutions.
