Caring for elderly loved ones is a significant challenge that faces millions of Americans each year. The population of older adults in the U.S. is expected to skyrocket over the next decade, and right alongside it will be a group of individuals that experts are referring to as the "Sandwich Generation," according to the Star Press.

"As a society, we've never had to deal with this before," Joe Winn, a resident of Muncie, Indiana, told the news source. "People are living longer, so that group in the middle has to handle concerns about their parents and their kids. And it is becoming very stressful."

Thanks to advancements in medicine and healthier lifestyle choices, millions of Americans are living well into their 80s and 90s. In fact, approximately 20 percent of the country's population is expected to be over the age of 60 by 2020. Although better health may enable older employees to stay in the workforce for longer and save more money for retirement, it may become a necessity due to the fact that these individuals might need to care for ailing parents instead of venturing off to warmer climates.

This revelation has led to much stress and anxiety among caregivers in the "Sandwich Generation," prompting the need for initiatives to help them deal with their multi-faceted responsibilities.

"One thing caregivers are very bad at is asking for help," said Connie Hacker, who directs an adult day care service in Muncie, quoted by the news source. "They think they can do everything themselves, [but] they can't. They get overwhelmed. Anything teaching them to ask for help is a positive."

In order to help caregivers, initiatives have been launched such as The 50/50 Rule, a free seminar that offers tips on parenting children and caring for parents at the same time. The resource emphasizes the need for balance, urging individuals to seek help from their siblings in caring for elderly mothers and fathers. Tense relationships between brothers and sisters should be promptly addressed in order to make way for a supportive, cohesive family unit that works as a team to optimize the well-being of older loved ones.

Sharing the workload can keep illnesses such as depression at bay. According to Reuters Health, a recent survey found that one in four caregivers experiences poor mental health as a result of looking after an ill or elderly relative. This number is much higher than the figure for the general U.S. population, of which approximately 9 percent suffer from depression.

The survey, which was conducted among 400 respondents, found that one-third of caregivers spend more than 30 hours a week taking care of older family members. Meanwhile, more than 77 percent said that they were concerned about how their responsibilities would impact their own savings.

Preventing tension and depression may be possible through the use of hired in-home caregivers, if siblings or other relatives are not available to help. The Kansas City Star reports that more and more people in the elderly population are relying on these professionals to help them with their day-to-day needs. Opting to receive in-home care can also boost older adults' independence, and allow them to remain in their own houses rather than having to seek an assisted living facility.

"If people can be safe and comfortable, they don't want to go anywhere," said Chris Fay, a home senior care expert, quoted by the news source.