As a parent, you probably think about how to raise happy, well-adjusted children. Many books, articles and magazines describe ways to satisfy your child's every need and desire... but what about your parents? How much time do you spend thinking about the happiness of your elderly parents and how much information have you seen about how to care for elderly parents “Are you part of the Sandwich generation?” Are you a parent taking care of your child while also taking care of your parent? Merriam Webster defines the "Sandwich generation" as a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their children. [1]How common is it for adults to be “squeezed” between aging parents and children? Chances are, many people you know are or will care for an aging parent at some point in their lives. By 2030, there will be more than 72 million people over the age of 65 in the United States.[2] In 2012, 47 percent of adults ages 40 to 50 have a parent over age 65 and are raising a young child or providing financial support to an adult child. One in seven middle-aged adults financially supports an elderly parent and child. Are you also providing another type of support? You're probably not alone. If you are caring for a parent, you most likely feel an enormous obligation to care for and help make decisions about your aging parents' health, finances, daily functioning, and overall well-being. being. You are taking on a huge responsibility that you probably never imagined you would have. According to the Pew Research Center, “Adults who are part of the sandwich generation—those who have a living parent age 65 or older and are raising a child under age 18 or supporting an adult child—are included. .. middle of paper… as grief and loss counseling Her work with diverse populations has allowed her to understand and connect with people from all walks of life, which has earned her the title of Life Transitions Specialist®. from her colleagues and patients. As part of her commitment to her community, Francine lectures and offers workshops throughout Los Angeles County on aging, caregiving and other topics of interest to various organizations and clinics to online publications including SheKnows.com, ABCNews.com, Forbes Woman, Next Avenue, Fox News and AgingCare.com Not wearing her clinical hat, Francine spends her free time with her husband and children. Click image below to visit Francine's site, LA Talk Therapy for information on individual counseling and consultations for families who need help navigating their parents' aging process.