Sandwich Generation: 'Juggling care for parents and kids emotionally draining yet deeply rewarding'

Nisha Bajaj (Second from Right) with her family. Credit: Supplied by Nisha Bajaj

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The Sandwich Generation Report 2025 by the Australian Seniors Research Series surveyed over 4,500 Australians to understand the challenges faced by those caring for both their children and ageing parents. It highlights the toll this dual responsibility takes on physical, mental, social, and financial wellbeing, with women being disproportionately affected. In this podcast, Melbourne mother Nisha Bajaj shares her personal experience of managing the demands of multi-generational caregiving.

The recently released Sandwich Generation Report 2025, part of the Australian Seniors Research Series, surveyed over 4,500 Australians. Here are some of its key findings:

On average, caregivers spend about 15 hours per week on unpaid care for ageing parents, and another 15 hours for children, leaving less than 10 hours for personal care
Nearly 3 in 5 currently or expect to provide care for parents or in-laws because they prefer to stay at home
Over 4 in 5 caring for younger generations are still supporting them financially
Over 2 in 5 believe women take on more caregiving responsibility in their family
9 in 10 have experienced signs of caregiving burnout

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