Question

Should families be expected to care for elderly family members? If so, why? If not, why not? Have students research the financial and emotional costs and benefits in answering this question, including estimating their future income and ability of members of the “sandwich generation” to finance caring for elders, children, and financing their retirements simultaneously.

Answer 1

In my opinion yes, families should be expected to care for elderly family members because they are also a part of the family. When we were young, our parents supported us, fed us, taught us to speak, learn, eat and educate us. So now its our turn to take care of them because they need our love and support. Generally it becomes difficult to deal with the health problems of elderly people and sometimes there is need to send them to nursing homes. Family can solve this problem by emotionally and mentally supporting them. Family can work as the primary care giver for them. There should be a healthy discussion between all family members about taking care of their parents whether they need to be shifted to nursing home or not. It would be good for them if they get mental and emotional support by their families during the last days of their life.

Researches have shown that caring for parents have negative effects also in terms of emotional and financial costs. We can describe this with the help of the following points-

• Our office, college or workplaces are not the only reason stress but working as a care giver of the elderly members of our family also give us stress and anxiety. when we care for our old parents it includes almost everything for them, their food, shopping, cleaning, dressing etc. Sometimes this affect the social and personal life of the caregiver.
• A person, generally does not feel satisfied while performing as a caregiver from insight because he/she does not get time for himself/herself and their personal and social life is neglected because all the time they are busy in taking care of their parents or any other member of the family.
• Financial crisis is a major reason that affects the caregiving of elderly members greatly. According to researchers conducted in this field, in America, most of the caregivers are spending huge amount on the needs and medicines of the elderly members of the family. This gives rise to frustration because sometimes the individual is not capable of spending a huge amount of money because he has other resposibilities also.
• Surveys suggested that most of the caregivers are struggled with depression, stress and sleep disorders. This affects their health because they feel stressed in taking care of their parents and other members of their family.
• It is not always necessary that the parents are greatful to their children who are taking care of them. They do not realize their childen's efforts in taking care of them and this lead to disappointment among caregivers.

Sanwiched generation means by the people who are in their thirties and forties and responsible to take care of their parents, children or spouse. As a sanwiched generation people face many financial challenges. They do not have time for their own life. They spend a huge amount of their earning on their parents and children per year. Surveys found that a normal person is spending about $10,000 on his parents and children per year. Men and women both are affected as sandwiched generation. From financial point of view, the sandwich generation needs to find out some solutions to get rid of these problems. First of all, they needs to decide the limits of their financial spending per year. It would be better to give a fixed amount to your parents as well to children on yearly basis to spend on their needs. Always teach your children how to spend money on necessary things only. Also tell your parents to have discussions with you whenever they are going to spend a huge amount on anything.As an individual you also need to save money for your retirement. Make proper plans to save money that can be used after your retirement.

On the basis of the discussion, we can say that if it is planned properly, than taking care parents and children together is not so difficult. Parents should be aware of your financial conditions. If the elderly members are able to do their small work themselves, it would be a great help for a caregiver.