Caring for parents and children: Introducing the ‘double care’ generation

Caring for parents and children is a major responsibility and growing trend; find out how live-in care can help you share the responsibility.

Caring for parents and children at the same time is a huge responsibility.

However, with an ageing population and people waiting until later in life to have children, this situation is becoming increasingly common.

Today, we’ll take a look at new research surrounding the rise of caring for parents and children simultaneously. Then, we’ll explain how live-in care can help to share the load.

Caring for parents and children is becoming increasingly common

A new, nationwide study from Japan has cast light on the growing rates of ‘double care’, and the effects on those providing it.

Although Japan is ahead of the curve on this, we’re starting to see the same trend in the UK. And, with the number of older people requiring care set to double by 2035, we’re likely to see it grow rapidly in future.

Here’s an overview of what the researchers found:

• In total, 30% of people surveyed had provided some form of double care
• 12.3% of people surveyed are currently caring for parents and children simultaneously
• 12.8% had provided double care at some point in the past
• 4% were providing double care for the second time
• Over 50% of people found it difficult to work while providing double care
• 10% of people surveyed had to quit a job due to this responsibility
• Childcare responsibilities usually precede care for older relatives, although this is shifting

In the UK, caring for parents and children is more common among people in their 50s and 60s. Here, carers may be responsible for older children or teenagers at the same time as parents in their 70s or 80s.

How live-in care can help to share the load

Live-in care is uniquely placed to help share this load, while keeping older parents safe and supported in their cherished family home.

By putting in place a live-in care arrangement, you can:

• Reduce the physical and emotional stress involved in meeting the care needs of two or more people
• Spend more quality time with your loved ones doing things you enjoy, rather than everyday tasks
• Maintain your career, safe in the knowledge the people you love are receiving the care they need
• Make sure your loved one has 24-hour oversight and any required medical expertise on hand
• Give your loved one more opportunities to take part in domestic and social activities when you can’t be there

All this and more makes live-in care an effective and mutually beneficial way of sharing the care load, helping to ensure the best possible quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Learn more about how live-in care can help your loved one receive the standard of care they deserve by speaking to our friendly team.