Are you balancing the needs of caring for ageing parents & young children with your career? You might be part of what’s known as the ‘sandwich generation’.
The sandwich generation is women, usually Gen X, who are forced to balance caring for their children with looking after ageing parents. Often this comes at a time when they are also at the peak of their careers.
With the number of Australians over 85 expected to triple by 2050, it’s an issue experts warn is only expected to get worse.
So what is behind this trend, what are the impacts, and what can be done about it?
Why has this come about?
This has come about partly because women are having children later in life. This means that their parents are descending into old age at a time when they are still looking after dependent children.
Children are also remaining living at home for longer due to current challenges with cost-of-living and housing affordability. This places pressure on families to continue to look after them.
An aging population has meant demand for care services has rapidly increased. This has led to increased wait times for support services, placing increased demand for support services.
Generation X is less likely to utilise services to care for their parents. For example, if their parents lawn needs mowing many will go and mow it.
What are the impacts?
Societal expectations dictate that women are expected to take on the majority of caring responsibilities for young children and aging parents.
The workload of caring for children and elderly parents can be emotionally draining. In many cases, it can lead to burnout and exhaustion. It can also lead to feelings of guilt. If ageing parents live far away, carers may feel guilty that they can’t support them as much as they would like. Alternatively, carers may feel they’re missing out on important moments in their children’s lives because of their responsibilities to care for their parents.
Dual caring responsibilities can also have financial impacts on carers. For example, they may need to put career progression on hold or reduce their hours to manage caring demands.
What can be done?
It is essential that those in caring roles receive the support they need. If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is important to reach out for support before things become too much.
Proper planning is also key. 87% of people say they find it hard to plan, talk about and organise the later stages of their parents lives. However, parents often deteriorate faster than we expect, so it’s crucial to start conversations early while they are in good health. For example, it’s essential to consider what care they might need and who will provide it. Also consider who will provide their power of attorney, what their final wishes are and what they want included in their will.
Five million baby boomers are approaching old age. Therefore, experts say our care system is nowhere near prepared for the increased demands it will face. Therefore, more needs to be done to ensure the system can meet future demands.
With Australia’s population aging, aged care workers play a vital role in meeting the needs of older Australians.
If you want to be part of this special group of people, Aged Care Resumes can assist. We are pleased to offer various services including expert resume writing and cover letter writing.
Article References
Aged Care Insite (11 June 2025) ‘How the Sandwich Generation is facing a ‘guilt-ridden juggle’ between kids and parents’, Aged Care Insite, accessed 8 July 2025.
Lollback, A (11 June 2025) ‘The women of the ‘sandwich generation’ caring for young and old’, ABC News, accessed 8 July 2025.