Sandwich generation squeezed further by coronavirus
Thingswere hard enough for Jennifer Galluzzo before the pandemic hit. Four years ago, the full-timeworking mother of three became a full-fledged member of the “sandwich generation” when her father-in-law joined their household in Brewster, New York.
But things got harder in March, when schooling for her three children, ages 5, 8 and 10, abruptlywent online in response to the spread of the coronavirus. Galluzzo, a digital marketer, and her husband, David, a lawyer, startedworking from home. Her child care disappeared, as did her cleaning help. Her father-in-law, who has Parkinson’s and dementia and is used to spending most days quietly at home with his caregiver, was increasingly agitated by the full house.
“He doesn’t like loud noises, andwewere all here 24/7,” says Galluzzo, 46. “I had Zoom calls. My husband had Zoom calls. Someone needed to make sure the kids got theirwork done. I had a schedule that didn’twork verywell— itwas more about who needed what fire to be put out at that moment.”
About 11 million people nationwide are multigenerational caregivers. These caregivers spend an average of 22 hours a week providing help while often simultaneously jugglingwork, according to a 2019 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and Caring Across Generations. One-third report emotional distress, and one in five say they have a high level of financial strain.
If you’re a caregiver, take advantage of the relief available.
For example, if you have been employed for at least a year, either by a private company that has 50 or moreworkers or by any government agency or school (no matter howmany employees), you should be covered by the federal Family andMedical Leave Act. Workers can take 12weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for qualified family needs.
The unpaid leave can be extended if you need to take care of amilitary service member.
Since the pandemic hit, Congress passed the Families First
Coronavirus Response Act, which requires certain employers to give more paid leave to employees who are taking care of someone affected by the coronavirus.
Among other provisions, the lawrequires that employers covered by the legislation pay two-thirds of aworker’s salary for twoweeks (or 80 hours) if the worker needs to take care of a child whose school or child care facility is closed. In some circumstances, that can be extended another 10weeks.
Reaching out for help is crucial. That can take the form of therapy and online peer support, aswell as professional assistance in managing logistics and finances. AARP, besides offering its own page for caregiving (http:// aarp.org/ caregiving), has a Facebook page for family caregivers (http://facebook.com/groups/ aarpfamilycaregivers).
Although Galluzzo doesn’t deny the difficulties of being a sandwich caregiver, she says having several generations under one roof has also been a gift. “I watchmy 5-year-old doing a dance in a princess dress for
Grampy, and he gets a smile on his face from ear to ear. Little moments like that make it all worth it.”