The Gray Area with Sean Illing The overwhelming, invisible work of elder care
Oct 28, 2021
In this insightful discussion, Liz O'Donnell, founder of Working Daughter and author, dives into the emotional and financial toll of elder care in America. She highlights how this burden often falls disproportionately on women, especially those in the sandwich generation. O'Donnell shares personal stories and the hidden challenges caregivers face, urging open dialogue and systemic change. The conversation emphasizes the need for workplace policies that support caregivers and calls for greater awareness about the complexities of caring for aging parents.
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Unexpected Crisis
- Liz O'Donnell's parents needed increasing care in their 80s.
- This "caregiver creep" intensified until a crisis led to both parents receiving terminal diagnoses in a single day.
The Primary Caregiver
- Daughters, especially eldest daughters, typically become primary caregivers for aging parents.
- This often results in an additional full-time job, a "third shift," for women.
Sandwich Generation
- The "sandwich generation" cares for both children and aging parents.
- This group, mostly Gen X and millennials, faces intense pressure from these dual responsibilities.
