Caregiving & Support
Aging & Community
Dementia Care: Resources and Support for the Sandwich Generation
Picture a family caregiver sitting at a kitchen table late at night, staring at a laptop screen, trying to figure out how to manage a loved one’s worsening dementia. It is an overwhelming, exhausting feeling. Fortunately, a major national breakthrough is bringing clarity to this difficult journey through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) GUIDE (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) Model.
Supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, the National Dementia Care Collaborative (NDCC) recently released two vital GUIDE Model Videos for Clinicians, Caregivers, and Families. These videos explain how the model connects families with care navigators to help them plan for changing needs, while giving primary care teams extra support beyond clinical visits:
- For people living with dementia and their caregivers: Marie Clouqueur, LICSW, explains how GUIDE connects families with a care navigator to understand options, while family members Donna and Bob share the immense value of having support throughout their journey.
- For primary care providers: Dr. Barak Gaster and Leslie Evertson, DNP, discuss how GUIDE adds a layer of support for clinical teams, helping families access critical assistance beyond clinical visits.
The Growing Need for Caregiver Support
At CAC, we know caregiving deeply impacts our workplaces and communities. Just as our community-focused efforts in Hands Only CPR and Supporting LGBTQ+ Caregivers empowered individuals with tools to support their loved ones, we are committed to addressing today's caregiving challenges. The data highlights why this support is so urgent:
- 1 in 4 Americans is currently a family caregiver, representing a 45% increase since 2015.
- 29% of all caregivers belong to the "sandwich generation," caring for both an aging adult and a child.
- The average caregiver spends about 25 to 27 hours per week providing care.
- 70% of family caregivers are employed, with over half reporting they must adjust hours or take time off to manage duties.
Connect with Our Caregiver Resource Group
We recently launched our new Caregiver Resource Group to provide tangible relief. We partner with organizations to deliver professionally facilitated, virtual Caregiver Resource Groups. These evidence-informed monthly sessions are led by the CAC and affiliated subject-matter experts to provide a safe space and actionable resources. We handle all the logistics so caregivers can focus on what matters most.
Learn how your organization can make expert caregiver support readily available to employees, clients, and families through CAC's Caregiver Resource Group.
Honoring the Sandwich Generation this July
These statistics take on an even deeper meaning as we approach July, celebrated nationally as Sandwich Generation Month. This month shines a spotlight on the resilient adults caught right in the middle—simultaneously raising their own children while managing the complex care needs of aging parents. Balancing career goals, financial pressures, and emotional stress requires a village, and CAC is proud to build that network.
As the number of family caregivers continues to grow, so does the responsibility of employers, healthcare organizations, and community partners to ensure support is readily available. Whether through national initiatives like the GUIDE Model or programs like CAC's Caregiver Resource Group, meaningful resources can make all the difference. Together, we can help caregivers feel informed, supported, and better equipped to care for those who depend on them.
