The Sandwich generation is a generation of people who care for their aging parents while supporting their own children.
In the United States, Sandwich Generation Month is a month of awareness to commemorate and celebrate the dedication, patience and caring of adults who are part of the Sandwich Generation - those caring for their children as well as their own aging parents. Sandwich Generation is officially registered within the National Special Events Registry as an annual national observation, occurring each July 1-31. Events are held throughout the United States in annual commemoration of the national observation. Sandwich Generation Month brings the community and families together to heighten understanding of the special needs of the Sandwich Generation. It also spotlights community support available to those working hard to maintain multi-generational families.. According to the Pew Research Center, just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent, in addition to between 7 to 10 million adults caring for their aging parents from a long distance. US Census Bureau statistics indicate that the number of older Americans aged 65 or older will double by the year 2030, to over 70 million.
Carol Abaya categorized the different scenarios involved in being a part of the sandwich generation.
Merriam-Webster officially added the term to its dictionary in July 2006.