What happens when you're caring for a parent with dementia at home while raising a teenager? In this deeply personal episode, Senior Advocate Stella Williams shares her raw, honest journey of being caught in the sandwich generation.
When Stella's mom was battling cancer and declining with dementia, 14-year-old Jaden watched his childhood shift as their home transformed into a care facility. This isn't a story about facility placement - it's about the reality of at-home care while parenting, the guilt cycle that nearly broke her, and the lessons learned from living in both worlds simultaneously.
In This Episode:
- What the sandwich generation really means (beyond the definition)
- The three types of pressure: time, financial, and emotional
- How at-home caregiving changes family dynamics
- The turning point that made Stella rethink everything
- Daily strategies that actually work (not just theory)
- A powerful message to kids growing up in caregiver households
Key Takeaways:✓ You can honor both generations without losing yourself✓ Quality presence beats quantity presence every time✓ Teaching kids about family responsibility is a gift, not a burden
Whether you're currently sandwiched between generations, planning ahead, or supporting someone who is, this episode gives permission to feel it all while providing practical strategies to survive and thrive.
Resources Mentioned:Williams Senior Transition ServicesWebsite: tourseniorliving.orgPhone: 737-389-2130Email: stella@stellawilliamstx.com
Connect with Stella:Austin-based Senior Advocate helping families navigate care transitions with compassion and expertise.
#sandwhichGeneration, #athomecare, #caregiving, #agingparents, #guiltandcaregiving, #caregiverburnoutprevention, #wstservices, #tourseniorliving, #tslaustin, #caringforagingparentswhileraisingkids
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