The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging convened a hearing to address the pressures facing the Sandwich Generation, a demographic of Americans managing the dual responsibilities of raising children and caring for aging parents. According to Chairman Rick Scott, an estimated eleven million Americans are currently providing simultaneous care for a child and an older adult.
The hearing highlighted the economic and personal toll of unpaid caregiving. Senator Rick Scott noted that one in five family caregivers has reduced their work hours or left the workforce entirely, resulting in lost wages and retirement savings. He also stated that the estimated economic value of unpaid family caregiving in the United States is $600 billion annually.
Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand noted that Sandwich Generation caregivers often face extreme stress and may step back from careers to meet caregiving demands. Senator Andy Kim shared that the demand on caregivers is expected to intensify as the baby boomer population grows, noting that the current policy framework often fails to recognize those in this role.
Witnesses provided perspectives on the logistical and financial hurdles of caregiving. Karla Radka, CEO of Senior Resource Alliance, explained that caregivers often struggle to remain financially stable while balancing work and family duties. Meghan Maher, a Sandwich Generation caregiver, described the difficulty of finding flexible, intermittent support to manage the unpredictable needs of family members.
Jason Resendez, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, reported that nearly one in four Americans provides ongoing care to a family member or friend with a serious illness or disability. He noted that approximately sixteen million people are Sandwich Generation caregivers, and 58 percent of them experience negative financial impacts, such as debt or depleted savings.
The hearing also addressed the importance of community-based services. Josh Protas of Meals on Wheels America stated that federal funding for nutrition programs has not kept pace with increasing demand, leading to waitlists for seniors. He noted that the Older Americans Act provides essential support that helps prevent more costly interventions, such as hospitalizations or nursing home placements.
Legislative solutions were discussed to provide relief to these families. Proposed measures include the Multi-Generational Home Caregiver Credit Act, which aims to provide tax relief for those caring for both children and older adults, and the Social Security Caregiver Credit Act, which seeks to protect retirement security for caregivers.
