Quantcast
   
Friday - March 29, 2024
 

Baby Boomers and Halloween: How to Deal with Ghosts from the Past

October 16th, 2008

Although present day Halloween activities revolve around trick-or-treating and costume parties, historically masks were worn to placate the evil spirits. You may not be frightened by pumpkins carved into eerie faces nor believe in witches and goblins. But when is the last time you thought seriously about the “ghosts” that have been haunting you far too long? The negative feelings that you may be experiencing – from time to time or perhaps more regularly – could be due to normal unhappiness, stress from overload, situational sadness, or even clinical depression. When there is no... Read More

6 Lessons the Olympics Can Teach Boomers

September 5th, 2008

This summer, billions of fans watched athletes from around the world compete in the Beijing Olympics. Even with political controversy and global tensions running rampant, these diverse games reflected the delicate balance between reality and entertainment. For many Sandwiched Boomers, the Olympics satisfied the yearning for distraction from immediate concerns about economic instability and caring for a family-in-flux. The Games provided color, drama and a broad demonstration of excellence. In addition to news about the winners and venues, information from Beijing went well beyond who was winning... Read More

6 Tips for Sandwiched Boomers Planning Summer Staycations

July 22nd, 2008

With the high price of gasoline, are you thinking of canceling your vacation trip? This summer more and more Sandwiched Boomers are reducing their carbon footprint by taking “staycations” with their families. Why drive to a resort when there are community swimming pools around the corner? Why plan a remote getaway when you can relax in the beauty and serenity near you? You don\’t need to travel to the city for excitement when you can create your own at home. Gasoline prices are edging toward five dollars a gallon and the hassle and expense of air travel is increasing. Families... Read More

Top Ten Self-fullness Tips for Sandwiched Women

April 27th, 2008

No need to look up “self-fullness” in the dictionary – you won\’t find it. And it\’s also not likely to be in the vocabulary of women who are pulled between their careers, children, parents, spouse or even grandchildren. No matter what age women have attained, many still act the part of the \’good girl,\’ responding to the needs of others first. It\’s fitting that these multitasking women are called the Sandwich Generation – since a sandwich often means a quick bite to eat on the run for those who don\’t have the time for a sit-down meal.... Read More

The Politics of Change and Sandwiched Boomers

March 18th, 2008

The soaring rhetoric from presidential candidates has been about the concept of change – and the electorate is energized by the buzzword. But is the idea of change really so new? In 1944, the Republican governor of New York, Thomas E. Dewey, ran for President against three-term incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt on the slogan “It\’s time for a change.” Although not using the specific word, John F. Kennedy, in 1960, promised change with “Let\’s get America moving again.” In the 1980\’s, Ronald Reagan emphasized the importance and challenge of individual... Read More

Male Sandwiched Boomers: A New Trend in Care-giving

February 4th, 2008

With 2008 in full swing, perhaps you\’ve already had your fill of economic and political predictions by experts and clairvoyants. However, if you happen to be a Sandwiched Boomer, the following quietly growing trend may surprise you. The results of recent studies indicate that nearly 40% of close to 44 million unpaid caregivers for the elderly are male. The call to honor loved ones is becoming an emerging pattern of male behavior. Traditionally, the bulk of these caretaking responsibilities have been carried out by daughters. Women have left jobs or subjugated their work life in order to... Read More

New Year\’s Resolutions for Sandwiched Boomers

January 17th, 2008

Are you like the millions of Americans who, year after year, make New Year\’s resolutions that they don\’t keep? Have you made a vow to lose 25 pounds, exercise four times a week or save monthly for your retirement? Noble goals – but do you keep them past the end of January? More crucial than setting broad goals is setting achievable ones, and then putting them into practice. Baby Boomers in the Sandwich Generation are especially stressed by the responsibilities they face from both their growing children and aging parents. Miranda feels physically and emotionally exhausted as... Read More

The Sandwich Generation and Their Parents\’ Tarnished Golden Years

December 12th, 2007

Parents of Baby Boomers look toward their sixties, seventies and eighties as golden years, with the chance to enjoy the fruits of their labors. But what happens when those days become tarnished gold? What if nothing you or your parents do can restore the shine you all were expecting? This is what faces the Sandwich Generation each year when their parents are diagnosed with Alzheimer\’s, senile dementia or stroke. Today, dementia of some kind has affected 14% of Americans over the age of 71 and the incidence is rising. Caring for these seniors generally falls to their Baby Boomer children;... Read More

How Observing Veterans Day Can Resonate for the Sandwich Generation

November 8th, 2007

As the average age of men and women in the Armed Forces rises, many are a part of the Sandwich Generation, concerned about caring for family members at home as they continue their service to the country. Their burden becomes especially apparent on Veterans Day, a time for all of us to pay tribute to American veterans of all wars. Yet, even on Veterans Day, controversy surrounds the most meaningful ways to honor those who have served in the past and support our troops who are still in harm\’s way. Society\’s view of veterans has reflected how Americans feel about the wars their country... Read More

How the Sandwich Generation Can Help Their Parents Create a Legacy of Meaning

October 2nd, 2007

As a Baby Boomer member of the Sandwich Generation, perhaps you have already had talks with your aging parents about their wills, beneficiaries, and advanced medical directives for hospital care. But have you discussed an ethical will or the legacy of meaning they wish to leave behind? As parents grow older, it becomes more important to them to be remembered for the life lessons they taught than for the material gifts they leave behind. Rachel remembers her first experience with just such a legacy. “My mother-in-law was a wise woman. Although she wasn\’t able to continue her education... Read More