HEALTH - 'Sandwich generation' caregivers caught between two generations in need

Becky Engram is redefining what it means to spend time with her family. The 48-year-old mother of two is learning to split her time between being a parent and taking care of her ailing father. Everyone needs her time and attention. Nobody's getting enough.

Engram's 78-year-old father, Bruce Dunning, has been in and out of the hospital since he started having heart problems late last year. Once fiercely independent, he now wants someone with him at all times. So Engram regularly makes the 3 1/2-hour drive between her home in Marietta, Georgia, and his in Huntsville, Alabama, sometimes staying for weeks. Recently, her husband, Derek, drove their boys to Huntsville so they could spend the day skating with Mom while she took a break from her father's hospital bedside.

Engram said her 10-year-old son, Carter, is taking it the hardest. After emergency trips to the hospital interrupted both Christmas and New Year's Eve, keeping her away from home for most of their holiday break, he told her, "I just don't feel like I have a mom anymore."

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-YOUR MARRIAGE-
Couple married for 72 years share the secret to staying together: ‘That is the glue that makes it work’

PHOENIX (KPNX) - A couple celebrating 72 years of marriage say their years together are a gift as they share the secret to making it all work.

Jo and Hutch Davis, both in their 90s, say life would be “dull” without each other. The couple, who met in grade school, are set to celebrate 72 years of marriage this February.

“It’s rich looking back. It’s so rich,” Jo Davis said.

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FINANCE AND INVESTING TIPS FOR THE SANDWICH GENERATION

For many American adults, retirement is beginning to feel even more out of reach. Not only are consumers today grappling with increased prices in a time of economic struggle but are also taking on the financial responsibility of taking care of loved ones, both younger and older - making it nearly impossible to financially support their own aspirations.

According to data from Credit Karma's latest research study, half of Americans who financially support their children and parents (or other older relatives) are being prevented from living the life they want to live. The study, which included a survey by Qualtrics on behalf of Credit Karma, interviewed U.S. adults ages 18 and older who currently provide financial support to their children and parents/relatives, aimed to understand the financial burden and ramifications of what has been named the "sandwich generation."
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YOUR KIDS

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CARING FOR PARENTS

This week's "Mom Matters" delves into The Sandwich Generation -- those who care for aging parents as well as their own family with children. Dr. Macie Smith, gerontologist and author, reminds us to practice self-care so we don't burn out..

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YOUR JOB AND CAREER

• Most professionals are happy in their current role and report high confidence in their skills and abilities

• New survey reveals key factors behind worker satisfaction and common hiring pitfalls

MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half indicates an uptick in worker satisfaction, influencing job search plans in early 2025. The survey of more than 2,000 U.S. workers found that only 29% of professionals plan to look for a new job in the first six months of the year, down from 35% in July 2024

Factors Contributing to Career Satisfaction
According to the research, 81% of workers are generally satisfied in their current role. The majority (88%) say their skills and experience align well with their job and most (86%) can maintain a healthy work-life balance. Some additional factors contributing to career satisfaction include having:   

• A competitive salary with regular merit increases (83%)

• Fair workloads and job expectations (77%)

• A positive work culture and team dynamic (77%)

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