Resources for A Sandwich Generation

by Sharon J. Miles

A startling statistic is that the average woman spends 17 years caring for her dependent children and another 18 years caring for her elderly parents!

The fastest growing segment of our society, the frail elderly, is now over 85 years old. Although they are living longer, they need assistance with daily activities to get through the day. This assistance inevitably comes from family members. Concerns about a parent living alone safely, coordinating in-home care, arranging doctor appointments, and transportation, handling housekeeping and laundry, hiring trained and reliable help, and providing stimulation activities can become a full time job.

Sharon J. Miles founder & operator of Senior Care Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico; helps seniors live at home as independently as possible. She has spent 10 years working with the elderly and their families first exploring options that allow living at home. Ms. Miles was awarded the Professional Geriatric Care Manager Designation from the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. She earned a masters’ degree in social work from NM Highlands University with an emphasis on gerontology. Through Senior Care Options, Ms. Miles has linked hundreds of seniors with financial, home-care, legal and medical services and provided counseling, support and education to families in crisis.

Geriatric care management as an alternative to nursing homes, is emerging as a viable option for many people. The concept is to assist aging individuals to remain independent in their own homes as long as possible. Care managers can offer support to families navigating through the staggering maze of eldercare services available, by assessing the family situation, helping in the decision making, and arrange for and monitoring needed services on a long term basis. Out-of-state family members can have a less stressful way of providing professional care from a distance. If you are currently a caregiver, this new resource is providing solutions for today’s senior care challenges and may be right for you!

©1999 all rights reserved Sharon Miles

Sharon Miles (middle) consults with clients
Sharon Miles (middle) consults with clients