Sandwich generation research: Funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, PSU professors Dr. Margaret Neal and Dr. Leslie Hammer are now studying the information provided by their "sandwich generation" research participants on how they manage their multitude of demands and responsibilities. Research participants give this advice:

* Take care of yourself!
* Set aside time to spend with your spouse.
* Ask others for help.
* Learn to say "no."
* Join a support group.
* Hire a housekeeper.
* Choose a job with a flexible schedule.
* Work at home.
* Use family-friendly workplace policies.
* If possible, reduce your work hours.
* Gear down your lifestyle.
* Take one day at a time.
* Don't try to be everything to everybody.
* Set priorities and budget time accordingly.
* Keep communication flowing.
* Use a large calendar to schedule family activities.
* Plan for your own future.
* Have patience.
* Don't lose your sense of humor.

You can read more about this study and get their newsletter here.

In another article reporting on research in Canada, researchers found that:

Almost 3 in 10 of those aged 45 to 64 with unmarried children under 25 in the home, or some 712,000 individuals, were also caring for a senior, according to a new study based on the 2002 General Social Survey.

More than 8 in 10 of these sandwiched individuals worked, causing some to reduce or shift their hours or to lose income.

Indeed, caring for an elderly person could lead to a change in work hours, refusal of a job offer, or a reduction in income. Some 15% of sandwiched workers had to reduce their hours, 20% had to change their schedules and 10% lost income.

You can read the rest of the article here.