New Report: Sandwich Generation Is Younger, More Exhausted & More Broke Than You Think

Raising children while also caring for aging parents is a lot of work. Care.com, an online platform for families and caregivers, recently put out its 2026 Sandwich Generation Report, which surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults who are parents of children 14 or younger and also care for senior family members. It explores the emotional, financial, and career impacts of dual caregiving. Here are some of the most notable takeaways.

Read: Forget GenX or Millenials, are you in the Sandwich Generation?

Discover: Tales from the ‘Sandwich Generation:’ Juggling care for aging parents and kids

Dual Caregiving Begins at 34, on Average

Sandwich generation caregivers are taking on dual responsibilities early, at an average age of 34, and those responsibilities overlap for an average of 6.4 years. For 80%, the onset was sudden and caught them by surprise. And 86% felt unprepared for the role. Once the dual role begins, the demands add up to a part-time job. Sandwich generation parents spend an average of 24 hours a week arranging, managing, coordinating, and providing care. For moms, that jumps to 27 hours, while dads clock in 20 hours a week on average. 84% say they always or often feel like the default person when help is needed. Half of moms say they’re the go-to, compared to 33% of dads.

Small Breaks Can Make a Difference

Many dual caregivers are putting themselves last, cutting into sleep, self-care, hobbies, and time with friends. In fact, 98% missed activities in the past year because of their caregiving load, and 80% say they need a break but don’t know how to take one.

Yeharar Stephen, LPC, LADCv, and Founder of Stephen Counseling Services, says protecting your well-being starts with speaking up. Many of her clients admit they need a break, but most never tell anyone they feel overwhelmed.

“A break and stepping away should be realistic to the caregiver’s life,” Stephen says. “It doesn’t have to be a spa day or a weekend away.” She suggests short, simple breaks: a five-minute cup of tea in the afternoon, a scheduled exercise class, a daily walk.

Stephen shared how one client recently carved out time for herself by using the early morning, before the rest of her household was up, to fold laundry and put away dishes.

Chores aren’t a break, Stephen says, but for her client, “being able to do them while listening to her favorite podcast and enjoying a cup of coffee without interruption or noise makes the chores feel like a small break.”

“Caregivers should be clear and realistic about what it will require of them if they remain in the caregiver role for 3, 5, or 10 years and financially plan according to that.”

Yeharar Stephen, LPC, LADCv, and Founder of Stephen Counseling Services

The Financial Toll is Significant

Dual care has reshaped how many caregivers manage their money and think about their financial futures. 77% feel financially behind, and 52% deprioritize savings when caregiving demands grow. Care costs have strained 82% of households, and many caregivers report feeling guilty spending money on themselves.

A common mistake, according to Stephen, is not accounting for how long they’ll be in the role. “Caregivers should be clear and realistic about what it will require of them if they remain in the caregiver role for 3, 5, or 10 years and financially plan according to that.”

The Impact Carries Into the Workplace

Career setbacks are common too. More than half of sandwich generation caregivers worry their employers see them as less committed, and 66% have hidden the full extent of their care responsibilities at work.

For many, career advancement drops to the bottom of the list. 55% have turned down a promotion, raise, or new opportunity because of care responsibilities. Millennials are hit hardest: 61% have turned down opportunities, compared to 38% of Gen X.

Embracing the Positives

Despite the challenges dual caregiving presents, 90% of sandwich generation parents find caregiving to be deeply meaningful and rewarding. And 89% say their role has strengthened family relationships through more time together and deeper connection.