Posted November 1st, 2023 by SimpliSafe
The Sandwich Generation – a group typically in their 30s, 40s and 50s responsible for the upbringing of their children and the care of their aging parents – has a lot on their minds. Not only do they need to worry about their own safety and well-being, but also those of their kids and parents, often taking on additional emotional, physical and financial responsibilities.
As experts in protection safeguarding over four million people, SimpliSafe is committed to understanding consumers’ needs, particularly as it pertains to their safety. By shining a light on the sandwich generation’s top stressors, SimpliSafe aims to uncover solutions for common safety concerns among an often overlooked group and, ultimately, enhance the safety of consumers of all generations.
To better understand the generation, their concerns and their relationship with home security, SimpliSafe conducted a survey of 1,000 US adults who identify as members of the generation. The findings were telling and revealed that the generation is in need of additional support to help alleviate their levels of stress and improve the safety of their loved ones at home.
Key research findings include:
More than three-quarters of the sandwich generation are providing financial (85%), physical (81%), and emotional care (78%) to their children, on top of caring for their parents. Over a third (37%) say their caregiving responsibilities have increased their financial strain.
Sixty-one percent say it is at least somewhat common for people they know in their stage of life to be caring for both their parents and children at the same time.
The leading concerns for loved ones this holiday season are travel safety (39%), exposure to illnesses (37%), mental well-being (35%), and accidents at home (33%).
Thirty percent of the sandwich generation has already upgraded their home security system in order to protect their family.
Most respondents (57%) report having to either adjust their work schedule or take time off due to their caregiving responsibilities about once a month or more, with fathers (68%) being more likely than mothers (51%) to take off work to care for their loved ones.
The Sandwich Generation research is informed by survey data collected in October 2023 by Opinium Research and commissioned by SimpliSafe of 1,000 US adults who provide for their child(ren) and have a living parent 50 or older. You can read the full survey findings in the report below.