Show Notes
You were dancing in mosh pits five minutes ago; now you’re being squashed by the layers of responsibility. If you're juggling kids, a career, and aging parents who are "rumbling" rather than aging gracefully, this episode is your squishy hug.
More from Club Sandwich
Will I end up like my parent? Sarah talks to the ABC's Norman Swan, author of The Brain Cliff, about what the research says you can do about it, and why looking after yourself comes first.
How many people are in the sandwich generation? Until today, nobody knew. The number: 2.43 million people aged 35–70 currently help or care for an ageing parent. This number is expected to rise to over 6 million within 10 years. In this episode, Sarah Macdonald is joined by Melissa Reader (CEO of Vera and Commissioning Editor of Club Sandwich) to discuss Vera's new, nationally representative research conducted in partnership with YouGov. They explain why this group has been missing from major reports, and explore knock-on effects for carers' work and finances. "People often aren't counting themselves," says Sarah. "They're not counting the labour of love they do as labour; they're seeing it as love. But if you can get help in that labour, then you've got more time to love." Ageing parents? You've got them. We've got you. Vera is your candid companion as you care for an ageing parent. Have a look at https://vera.guide. FACES (Families for Aged Care Equity and Support) is a family-led campaign asking for one honest count of the number of people waiting for their aged care funding and the people who die while they're waiting. Add your name at vera.guide/faces. Put The Kettle On — Vera's free conversation guide: the five questions worth asking your ageing mum or dad, at putthekettleon.com.au
In this bonus episode, Sarah Macdonald is joined by Melissa Reader to discuss new research into Australia's 'invisible army' of sandwich generation carers.
Sarah talks to Nicole Rogerson, CEO of Autism Australia, about raising a son with autism, the sandwich generation's double layer when ageing parents are added to the mix, and the blunt, funny, necessary conversation about what happens to a disabled child after you're gone.
She used to let everyone else win. Now she's got a trophy cabinet and a Rottweiler who reads her mind. Sarah visits a dementia day programme run by ECH in Adelaide to meet Gina, and get honest advice on respite, guilt, and the signs that are easy to miss.