search here

No Result
View All Result
  • Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

    Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

    1712 shares
    Share 685 Tweet 428
  • इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

    1712 shares
    Share 685 Tweet 428
  • Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

    1712 shares
    Share 685 Tweet 428
  • Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

    1712 shares
    Share 685 Tweet 428
  • Blood tests are currently one-size-fits-all – machine learning can pinpoint what’s truly ‘normal’ for each patient

    1711 shares
    Share 684 Tweet 428
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

Digital Therapeutics for Personalised Weight Loss Solutions

Digital Therapeutics for Personalised Weight Loss Solutions

5 Best Cycles For Women To Kickstart Their Weight Loss Journey

5 Best Cycles For Women To Kickstart Their Weight Loss Journey

10 exciting new books for the kids to cuddle up with this winter – eShe

10 exciting new books for the kids to cuddle up with this winter – eShe

Scientists May Be Able to Make Grapefruits Compatible With Medications They Currently Interfere With

Scientists May Be Able to Make Grapefruits Compatible With Medications They Currently Interfere With

What to Do When You Fall Off Track (Without Restarting All Over Again)

Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

പുറംവേദന|കാരണങ്ങളും |വ്യായാമങ്ങൾ |Upper Back Pain

പുറംവേദന|കാരണങ്ങളും |വ്യായാമങ്ങൾ |Upper Back Pain

Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

Categories

  • AI in Healthcare
  • Blog
  • Food
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Medical Conditions
  • Nutrition & Diet
  • Videos
  • Women’s Health

Newsletter

    Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to connect your Instagram account.

    search here

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

      Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

      1712 shares
      Share 685 Tweet 428
    • इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

      1712 shares
      Share 685 Tweet 428
    • Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

      1712 shares
      Share 685 Tweet 428
    • Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

      1712 shares
      Share 685 Tweet 428
    • Blood tests are currently one-size-fits-all – machine learning can pinpoint what’s truly ‘normal’ for each patient

      1711 shares
      Share 684 Tweet 428
    • Trending
    • Comments
    • Latest
    Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

    Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

    इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

    इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

    Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

    Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

    Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

    Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

    Digital Therapeutics for Personalised Weight Loss Solutions

    Digital Therapeutics for Personalised Weight Loss Solutions

    5 Best Cycles For Women To Kickstart Their Weight Loss Journey

    5 Best Cycles For Women To Kickstart Their Weight Loss Journey

    10 exciting new books for the kids to cuddle up with this winter – eShe

    10 exciting new books for the kids to cuddle up with this winter – eShe

    Scientists May Be Able to Make Grapefruits Compatible With Medications They Currently Interfere With

    Scientists May Be Able to Make Grapefruits Compatible With Medications They Currently Interfere With

    What to Do When You Fall Off Track (Without Restarting All Over Again)

    Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

    Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

    പുറംവേദന|കാരണങ്ങളും |വ്യായാമങ്ങൾ |Upper Back Pain

    പുറംവേദന|കാരണങ്ങളും |വ്യായാമങ്ങൾ |Upper Back Pain

    Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

    Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

    Categories

    • AI in Healthcare
    • Blog
    • Food
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Medical Conditions
    • Nutrition & Diet
    • Videos
    • Women’s Health

    Newsletter

      Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to connect your Instagram account.
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Cookie Law Policy
      • Terms of service
      • Privacy Policy
      Wednesday, July 9, 2025
      • Login
      WELLNESS 360 BY DR GARG
      • Home
      • Blog
        • Medical Conditions
        • Blood Tests
        • Immunity & Infections
        • Kids Health
        • Men’s Health
        • Mental Health
        • Skin & Beauty
        • Editorials & Opinion
        • Sleep & Energy
        • Women’s Health
        • Nutrition & Diet
        • Weight Loss
        • Natural Remedies
        • Fitness & Workout
      • Lifestyle
        • Entertainment
        • Research & Studies
      • Health News
        • AI in Healthcare
        • Podcasts
        • Health Technology
        • Sports
        • World
        • Business
        • Fashion
      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • Blog
        • Medical Conditions
        • Blood Tests
        • Immunity & Infections
        • Kids Health
        • Men’s Health
        • Mental Health
        • Skin & Beauty
        • Editorials & Opinion
        • Sleep & Energy
        • Women’s Health
        • Nutrition & Diet
        • Weight Loss
        • Natural Remedies
        • Fitness & Workout
      • Lifestyle
        • Entertainment
        • Research & Studies
      • Health News
        • AI in Healthcare
        • Podcasts
        • Health Technology
        • Sports
        • World
        • Business
        • Fashion
      No Result
      View All Result
      WELLNESS 360 BY DR GARG
      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • Blog
      • Lifestyle
      • Health News
      Home Blog

      How Being a ‘Sandwich Carer’ Could Take a Toll on Your Health

      Maggie O'Neill by Maggie O'Neill
      17/01/2025
      in Blog
      0
      How Being a ‘Sandwich Carer’ Could Take a Toll on Your Health
      1.7k
      SHARES
      9.5k
      VIEWS
      Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

      People who care for both aging parents and young kids—sometimes referred to as “sandwich carers”—may be more likely to experience some mental and physical health problems, according to a new study.

      The report, published on Jan. 8 in Public Health, found that these caretakers experienced higher levels of psychological distress as compared to non-sandwich carers. Plus, sandwich carers who spent more than 20 hours weekly on caretaking tasks saw faster rates of physical decline.

      It’s easy to understand why someone caring for both their children and their parents might experience health issues, Justin Puder, PhD, a psychologist in private practice based in Florida, told Health.

      “What we see [in sandwich carers] is a huge spike in cortisol levels, and when stress goes up, almost all other mental health difficulties—such as depression, anxiety, panic—increase as well,” Puder explained.

      Researchers know less about how being a sandwich carer affects physical health, but the new study indicates caretaking takes a toll on the body, too.

      What’s even more concerning is that, among the study participants, “the mental health and physical health decline associated with becoming an intensive sandwich caregiver persisted for several years,” said Baowen Xue, PhD, study author and associate professor in quantitative methods and social epidemiology at University College London.

      In general, this report highlights the need for greater public policies that support sandwich carers, experts said. This is especially true as this caretaking demographic grows, with life expectancy increasing and people choosing to have kids later in life.

      “Having social support networks, access to respite care, and workplace flexibility may buffer the health effects of sandwich care,” Xue told Health.

      Here, experts explain why caretaking can be hard on your health, and ways to protect yourself if you do care for both your parents and your kids.

      Sandwich carers are often pulled in multiple directions as they care for their children, care for their parents, and work, Xue said. An estimated 2.5 million Americans are sandwich caregivers, as are 1.3 million people in the U.K.

      The challenges that people in this group face are unique—time and financial issues are common, as carers often have significant housing and healthcare costs, but also may not be able to work full time. Previous research found that sandwich caregivers reported substantial emotional and financial difficulties as compared to non-sandwich carers.

      To further investigate how these hurdles affect sandwich carers’ mental and physical health, Xue’s team analyzed data from 2,632 sandwich carers in the U.K. between 2009 and 2020. The average age of sandwich carers was nearly 37 years old—in general, people aged 30 to 49 are most likely to fall into this caregiving category, Xue explained. Just over two-thirds were women.

      Participants filled out questionnaires that asked about their health before, during, and after becoming a sandwich carer. One survey, called the 12-item General Health Questionnaire, asked about factors related to mental health, including any concentration, decision-making, or sleeping issues. The second survey, the 12-item Short Form Survey, was meant to assess both mental and physical health, including anxiety, social activity, body pain, mobility issues, and more.

      The participants’ answers were then compared to those of non-sandwich carers.

      The study authors found that self-reported mental health issues got worse as people took on sandwich caregiving. Mental and physical health concerns were also more common among sandwich carers compared to the control group, with the rates being particularly high among people who spent at least 20 hours each week caregiving.

      The added stress of caregiving—which can exacerbate mental health conditions—is likely driving this divide. However, being a sandwich carer can also make it difficult for people to prioritize and maintain their physical health too, Susan Albers, PsyD, a psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic Women’s Health Center, told Health.

      Many sandwich carers end up scheduling and attending many doctor’s appointments for their parents and children, but “for any caregiver, there is a significant drop in self-care,” Albers explained. “Your health appointments may fall off the radar.”

      Missing appointments or deprioritizing health can also put caregivers at a higher risk of chronic conditions. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that obesity, asthma, arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more common in caregivers than in non-caregivers.

      More research on the health impact of caregiving is necessary, especially when it comes to caregiving for both children and parents. Even with this new study, the authors noted some limitations.

      For one, Xue and her team didn’t know which kinds of health conditions the care recipients had, so the results may not be universally applicable to everyone who ends up in a sandwich carer position. The authors also noted that they didn’t collect information on why people took on these unpaid care roles.

      Still, the new report highlights the need for greater targeted health interventions for sandwich carers, Xue said. But until those are put in place, it’s important that individuals do their best to keep track of how they’re doing—mentally and physically—while juggling caretaking responsibilities, experts said.

      That is sometimes easier said than done, especially since prioritizing your health takes time—a luxury many sandwich carers don’t have.

      But if the option is available to you, it can be helpful to delegate certain tasks to others in your family or community. You might ask your partner to check in on an aging parent one day so that you can take a short break, or you might speak with your siblings to determine who will do what to care for your parent, Albers said.

      If delegating isn’t an option, it could be helpful to speak about any struggles with a doctor or therapist or even a trusted friend or partner.

      “There’s an unspoken shame [people feel], where they think, ‘I’m not allowed to say I’m burned out, because my mother with Alzheimer’s or my helpless kids need me,’” Puder said.

      But this is an unhealthy way to think about the extreme demands of being a sandwich carer—being honest about how caregiving is impacting you is a start.

      “There’s no shame in articulating how you’re doing,” said Puder.

      You might also like

      Why Are You Still Gaining Weight While Working Out? Understanding The Mystery Behind Workout And Weight Gain

      #घुटने बदलने पर जरूरी h ये physiotherapy exercise #kneepain #TKR #rehabilitation #physiotherapy

      let us undo the silent exile of Vrindavan’s widows – eShe

      Source link

      Tags: CarerHealthSandwichToll
      Maggie O'Neill

      Maggie O'Neill

      Related Posts

      Why Are You Still Gaining Weight While Working Out? Understanding The Mystery Behind Workout And Weight Gain
      Blog

      Why Are You Still Gaining Weight While Working Out? Understanding The Mystery Behind Workout And Weight Gain

      #घुटने बदलने पर जरूरी h ये physiotherapy exercise #kneepain #TKR #rehabilitation #physiotherapy
      Blog

      #घुटने बदलने पर जरूरी h ये physiotherapy exercise #kneepain #TKR #rehabilitation #physiotherapy

      let us undo the silent exile of Vrindavan’s widows – eShe
      Blog

      let us undo the silent exile of Vrindavan’s widows – eShe

      Tips to Refresh Your Energy & Ease the Heat this Summer
      Blog

      Tips to Refresh Your Energy & Ease the Heat this Summer

      LDL Kolesterol: Neden Dikkat Etmeliyiz?
      Blog

      LDL Kolesterol: Neden Dikkat Etmeliyiz?

      search here

      No Result
      View All Result
      • Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

        Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

        1712 shares
        Share 685 Tweet 428
      • इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

        1712 shares
        Share 685 Tweet 428
      • Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

        1712 shares
        Share 685 Tweet 428
      • Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

        1712 shares
        Share 685 Tweet 428
      • Blood tests are currently one-size-fits-all – machine learning can pinpoint what’s truly ‘normal’ for each patient

        1711 shares
        Share 684 Tweet 428
      • Trending
      • Comments
      • Latest
      Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

      Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

      इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

      इन आसान तरीकों से करें हेल्दी और हैप्पी मदरहुड की प्लानिंग – know how to plan happy motherhood

      Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

      Sleep deficiency worsens pain mechanisms in migraine sufferers

      Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

      Causes, Symptoms & What You Can Do

      Digital Therapeutics for Personalised Weight Loss Solutions

      Digital Therapeutics for Personalised Weight Loss Solutions

      5 Best Cycles For Women To Kickstart Their Weight Loss Journey

      5 Best Cycles For Women To Kickstart Their Weight Loss Journey

      10 exciting new books for the kids to cuddle up with this winter – eShe

      10 exciting new books for the kids to cuddle up with this winter – eShe

      Scientists May Be Able to Make Grapefruits Compatible With Medications They Currently Interfere With

      Scientists May Be Able to Make Grapefruits Compatible With Medications They Currently Interfere With

      What to Do When You Fall Off Track (Without Restarting All Over Again)

      Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

      Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

      പുറംവേദന|കാരണങ്ങളും |വ്യായാമങ്ങൾ |Upper Back Pain

      പുറംവേദന|കാരണങ്ങളും |വ്യായാമങ്ങൾ |Upper Back Pain

      Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

      Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Treatment

      Categories

      • AI in Healthcare
      • Blog
      • Food
      • Health
      • Lifestyle
      • Medical Conditions
      • Nutrition & Diet
      • Videos
      • Women’s Health

      Newsletter

        Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to connect your Instagram account.

        Wellness360 by Dr. Garg delivers the latest health news and wellness updates—curated from trusted global sources. We simplify medical research, trends, and breakthroughs so you can stay informed without the overwhelm. No clinics, no appointments—just reliable, doctor-reviewed health insights to guide your wellness journey

        Categories

        • AI in Healthcare
        • Blog
        • Food
        • Health
        • Lifestyle
        • Medical Conditions
        • Nutrition & Diet
        • Videos
        • Women’s Health

        Browse by Tag

        Benefits Blood care Day Dental diet disease exercise Exercises Fitness Food Foods Health Healthy Heart Hindi Hindustan home India Indian lifestyle Loss News Pain risk Shares Signs Skin study symptoms Times Tips Top treatment Trump Weight weight loss women Yoga क म लाइफस्टाइल स स्वास्थ्य ह

        Recent News

        What to Do When You Fall Off Track (Without Restarting All Over Again)

        Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

        Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief – Ask Doctor Jo

        © 2025 Wellness360 by Dr. Garg

        No Result
        View All Result
        • Home
        • Blog
          • Medical Conditions
          • Blood Tests
          • Immunity & Infections
          • Kids Health
          • Men’s Health
          • Mental Health
          • Skin & Beauty
          • Editorials & Opinion
          • Sleep & Energy
          • Women’s Health
          • Nutrition & Diet
          • Weight Loss
          • Natural Remedies
          • Fitness & Workout
        • Lifestyle
          • Entertainment
          • Research & Studies
        • Health News
          • AI in Healthcare
          • Podcasts
          • Health Technology
          • Sports
          • World
          • Business
          • Fashion

        © 2025 Wellness360 by Dr. Garg

        Welcome Back!

        Login to your account below

        Forgotten Password?

        Retrieve your password

        Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

        Log In

        Add New Playlist