The ‘sandwich generation’ is that incredibly busy group that finds itself stretched between raising a young family and caring for ageing parents, which can cause a sense of guilt for not managing both successfully. In fact, a 2025 YouGov study found that 58 per cent of people feel guilty about not visiting older relatives more often. That number jumps to 71 per cent when comparing it to those also raising a family.
If you fall into the ‘sandwich generation’, it’s important to take care of yourself as well as those around you. Clinical Psychologist Melissa Levi suggests building your village early, doing one small thing a day that fills your cup and to remember your ‘why’. Most importantly, she wants you to remember that you don’t need to figure it all out alone.
Even though you might not be able to be physically present for your ageing relatives, almost all Australians surveyed (95 per cent) believe it’s important for their older relatives to maintain their independence by staying in their home for as long as they can. Deciding on how best to keep them at home, living their best life possible, can be difficult. Thankfully, Mable, in partnership with Levi, has developed a handy checklist to determine if they need help and how to get them the necessary assistance.
How to tell if your parents need help:
Sometimes, identifying that your parents need help is obvious. Other times, it can be the smallest details that could alert you to their subtle decline. Levi suggests that you trust your instincts, and if you need a guide, use the Mable Holiday Check-In resources, such as the early warning signs checklist.
Aside from that, look out for common factors such as:
- A decline in mobility
- Increased need to rest
- A loss of memory
The subtler identifiers include:
- A decrease in social activities
- General decline in mental wellbeing
- A decline in the cleanliness of their home
- Struggling to keep up with garden work
- A decline in the management of life admin
How to navigate the aged care process:
Managing the aged care system can be confusing, frustrating and costly. Despite these challenges, the main goal remains bridging the care gap and giving your relatives the best care possible. The biggest struggle among families is identifying their needs and being able to start the conversation to get help.
With 92 per cent of people believe having a proactive plan for aged care needs is the best course of action. However, 68 per cent of people feel hesitant to discuss ageing with their older relatives.
- Emotional barriers, where the older relative might be hesitant to admit needing help.
- Physical barriers, such as not being able to check in regularly to assess their needs.
- Family dynamics, including fear of upsetting or causing a fight with the person requiring care.
- Financial concerns, such as whether you’ll be able to afford the care they deserve.
- Information barriers, such as uncertainty about where to start looking for help.
How to get your parents’ in-home care:
It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed by caring for those around you, Levi says that feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing, it means you’re human, and someone you love is changing. It’s a sign that you care, but it’s also a sign that you need information, support and a plan. But amid juggling responsibilities, knowing the next right steps and getting your parents the best in-home care possible is key.
While some might think that to get in-home care, you need to go through the government, Mable is here to change that perception. According to the YouGov study, awareness of self-managed aged care is surprisingly low; just 35 per cent of Australians understand what’s involved.
Levi’s top tips for securing the best care start with your mindset. It’s about “What matters to your parents?” She suggests finding care that aligns with your parents’ values. Have an honest conversation to find out what they want and what will help them feel the most independent. It’s especially worthwhile taking the time to match the support to the person, while skills matter, connection matters more, because you want their care to feel like support, not intrusion.
Understandably, trust and ease are huge components in choosing care for your parents. Independent support workers on Mable are rigorously verified and hold up-to-date qualifications, while also being compassionate and mindful of their clients’ situations.
Mable makes caring for your loved ones just a bit easier. With their user-friendly online platform, you can easily select an independent support worker to assist with various aspects of life. Additionally, your parents will be able to use their government funding through Mable or choose to pay privately.
Please note that all statistics have been provided via a 2025 YouGov Christmas Check-in study, brought to you by Mable.
