Not ready for prime time: The needs of sandwich generation women, a national survey of social workers (2008)

The report reveals the results of a survey of social workers who work with women between 35 and 64 years old who care for their children and their aging relatives. The report highlights the fact that the services social workers provide to these caregivers - help with care coordination and finding access to services and support - are the types of services that are especially helpful to relieving their daily stress. The survey also found that caregivers are often unprepared for the many aspects of providing care; they underestimate the financial, emotional and physical toll of providing care; and they delay getting help because they feel they should be able to handle the caregiving responsibilities alone. In addition to the survey findings, the report also includes information contained in journals that 41 sandwich generation women kept for two weeks about their experiences.

Organization: National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM)

Date March 2008

To View The Report View Executive Summary