The challenges of being a sandwich generation caregiver, typically defined as a midlife adult who supports their children and an aging parent at the same time, are well documented. They include financial stress, burnout, and feelings of isolation.
But when your responsibilities also include a brother or sister with a disability, making you a “club sandwich” sibling, the demands on your time, energy, and income are greater still. Planning and preparation are essential to ensure that you don’t become overwhelmed.
“I am one of those caregivers, as my dad had Parkinson’s disease before passing in 2016 while I was pregnant with my second daughter, who was born with a rare disease,” said Mary McDirmid, a special-needs financial professional with All Needs Planning in Spokane, Washington. “Being a sandwich generation caregiver starts to wear you down if you don’t have boundaries around taking care of yourself.”