Sandwich Generation: Affording Aging Parent Care & Your Kids’ College

It’s called the “Sandwich Generation.” And it has nothing to do with anyone’s eating habits. Instead, the phrase refers to adults who are caring for aging parents at the same time they’re raising children. According to a Pew Research Center survey, that describes 23% of all Americans who are primarily between the ages of 40 and 60. The numbers are rising, as senior citizens enjoy longer lifespans, and many younger people live at home well into their 20s.

Timewise, adults tending to two generations struggle to juggle careers and social lives. There’s even greater financial anxiety, given the high cost of everything from senior living options to college tuition.

The silver lining is you’re not alone. The Sandwich Generation can seek assistance from financial experts and elder law attorneys, among others. At Dominion Energy Credit Union, we would be glad to talk with you and discuss your circumstances.

A High Price

The cost of caring for aging parents and kids at one time? Staggering. Check out these figures.

• Nursing home care: about $8,669 per year for a semi-private room.
• Assisted living facilities: about $54,000 per year depending on the type of facility and the level of care needed.
• Home health care aide for parents: around $80,102 per year.
• Raising one child for one year: $21,681 on average, including food, clothing, medical care, entertainment, and everything else, according to one source.
• College tuition: $234,512, on average, over four years for students who entered private colleges, according to Education Data Initiative. For public in-state colleges, the four-year total is about $108, 584.

Parental Planning

When you were young, your parents directed your life. Now the tables have turned. It can be awkward, but you need to take charge.

• Parents’ financial pulse: Have a candid discussion about financial matters with your parents. The more you understand about their assets and expenses, the better you can plan. Budgeting apps or even simple budget worksheets can help you find places to economize.
• Consolidate accounts. Older people often have money in different retirement plans and financial institutions. Combining accounts as much as possible can save money in fees and make it easier to monitor your parents’ assets. At Dominion Energy Credit Union, we’d be pleased to assist you with this process.
• Find a financial planner. Many seniors are withdrawing money from Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k) plans, as well as collecting payouts from Social Security and pensions. The fact is there’s an art to taking distributions in a way that minimizes tax burdens. It’s also a good idea to establish an estate plan and to review beneficiaries and the titling of assets to help ensure your parents desired legacy is realized.
• Research insurance. Consider buying a long-term care policy for your parents. They aren’t cheap, but it’s better than paying out-of-pocket for nursing home stays or at-home caregivers. Premiums rise as the beneficiaries get older, so it’s best to purchase a plan a soon as soon as possible.
• Seek Discounts. Joining organizations like AARP is an obvious place to start. For a small annual fee, your parents get lower prices on medicine, travel, movies and more. If they plan to continue living in their own home, see if your state offers a property tax reduction for seniors.
• Power of Attorney. If you will be in charge of managing your parents' finances, have them create a power of attorney for you so you can stand in for them in a legal sense when they are no longer able.

Your Kids’ Costs

That difficult conversation about finances you had with your parents? You’ll have to have it with your kids, too. Here are some other things to consider.

• Revise your budget. The reality is that you’ll have less money to spend on your kids. Take advantage of obvious savings, like eating out less and trading in cable TV for a cheaper streaming service. But be creative. Make use of free resources, like parks and libraries. Shop at thrift stores instead of the mall. Join a warehouse store and buy basic foods in bulk quantities to save money.
• Part-time work. No matter how you felt about your teenage kids working before, it might become a necessity now. On the plus side, they can start learning good money management habits with a Youth Account and build a solid resumé in addition to contributing to family finances.
• College saving. Having your bright kid skip college shouldn’t be one of the sacrifices you make. Instead, start saving early to minimize the sticker shock. A few dollars a month in a 529 College Savings Plan or a Coverdell Education Savings Accounts can really add up over the years. Another idea: Have your child attend community college or take some online college courses before transferring to a four-year school.

One Big Family

A final thought: Don’t try to take on the entire burden yourself.

• Is one or both of your parents still pretty active? Have them watch your kids after school instead of paying for daycare.
• Do you have a responsible teenager? Let them drive their grandparents to medical appointments instead of you missing time from work.
• Have an adult sibling in another city or state? They can still pitch in a few dollars a month and help oversee your parents’ finances, insurance matters, etc.

And don’t forget to take care of you. Despite the financial strain, it’s important to keep contributing to your Savings Account even when money is tight. Make the most of your savings by putting money away in high interest accounts like Savings Certificates and Money Market Accounts to get the best earnings. By doing this, you’ll make sure your children won’t have to care for you financially in your senior years. Contact Dominion Energy Credit Union to get started.