Are You Part of the Sandwich Generation?

The sandwich generation describes adults caring for ageing parents while also supporting children at home. In Australia, this group is growing rapidly.

Longer life expectancy, delayed parenthood, and changing work patterns mean many adults from their 30s through to their 60s are managing care in two directions at once. Census data shows informal caregiving peaks between ages 40 and 44, with women providing most unpaid care.

Sociologists describe the sandwich generation in several ways.

• Traditional sandwich generation. Caring for older parents and young children.
• Double sandwich. Supporting ageing parents alongside adult children or grandchildren.
• Open-faced sandwich. Providing care for older family members without the full dual load.

Baptcare estimates around 1.5 million Australians fall into these categories. A significant and often overlooked part of the workforce.

Why the Sandwich Generation Is Growing

Several factors are converging.

• Australians are having children later in life.
• People are living longer.
• Women remain the primary carers in most households.
• Economic pressures are extending the time families live together.

This is not a temporary trend. It reflects a structural shift in how care is shared across generations.

The Real Pressures Behind the Label

The competing demands are constant. Work responsibilities. School schedules. Medical appointments. Aged care planning. Household management. Personal wellbeing often slips to the bottom of the list.

Researchers and care organisations agree that recognition is the first step. When pressures are acknowledged, workplaces and communities are better placed to respond with meaningful support.

Small, practical actions matter. Clear boundaries. Flexible work arrangements. Accessible community services. Emotional support that acknowledges the load without judgement.

A Note From Penelope

“As a community-focused workplace, we see the sandwich generation every day. Many of our staff and clients are raising children, building careers, and caring for ageing parents.

This is also personal for me. I have a mother who is 94 years young, and a brother with Down syndrome and early-onset dementia, for whom I am his guardian. The challenges are real, and like many others, I am right in the middle of it.

At The Park, flexibility is not an exception. It is built into how we operate. For our staff, supportive working options and open conversations help people find balance. For our clients, we often become a place to focus when working from home no longer works. We want everyone who works with us or alongside us to feel supported. It is part of who we are.”

How Employers Can Support the Sandwich Generation

Workplaces play a critical role in easing the squeeze. The Australian Industry Group highlights several practical steps.

• Understand entitlements. Leaders should be familiar with carer’s leave and flexible work rights under the Fair Work Act.
• Build leadership capability. Managers need confidence to handle sensitive conversations and offer workable solutions.
• Encourage peer support. Informal groups or internal channels create space for shared experience.
• Offer creative flexibility. Adjusted hours, job sharing, or occasional remote work can significantly reduce strain.
• Provide emotional support. Acknowledgement and access to Employee Assistance Programs improve wellbeing and retention.
• Take a partnership approach. Open communication supports both individual needs and business continuity.

Our Perspective at The Park Business Centre

Family responsibilities do not switch off at the office door. Modern workforces need environments that understand real-life pressures.

Our serviced offices, meeting rooms, and virtual office solutions offer consistency and professional support for people balancing work and family commitments.

Community-driven success is how we operate, every day.

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