·Pulse issue · September 3, 2026
Reports on adults caring across generations and on caregiver self-neglect show how household care can compete with work choices and a caregiver’s own health attention.
The question
When adults care for children and older parents at once, what health care and paid work do they defer for themselves?
Background
A Pew Research Center report cited by the New York Post says 25% of US adults are in the sandwich generation, supporting both children and aging parents.
The read
The reports show distinct caregiving pressures: adults caring for children and older parents may face career decisions, while caregivers may struggle to attend to their own health.
2 developments · 2 cited sources
What happens next
How many sandwich-generation respondents had hidden caregiving responsibilities from employers?
What could change this read
Evidence that fewer adults are balancing children, parents and work would materially change this read.
Developments in this issue
A Pew report cited by the New York Post says more than half of Americans in their 40s are in the sandwich generation, while Care.com survey findings describe career and financial strain.
WorkforceElder CareChild Care
CNN reports that 23% of caregivers find it difficult to pay attention to their own health while caring for another person.
CultureElder CareGeneral
Reference paths