A slice of support: The campaign raising awareness for the Sandwich Generation

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Violet, Melissa Reader, recently appeared on ABC Breakfast to talk about the organisation’s latest campaign, Caught in the Care Gap: Australia’s Sandwich Generation Speaks. 

The ABC Conversation was a great opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges the sandwich generation – adult children looking after their own kids and ageing parents – face on a daily basis.

Stories from viewers came flooding in about the challenges of caring for parents while juggling work and family commitments. For some, careers were sacrificed, for others, marriages broke down.

There is no rule book for looking after our parents. That’s why Caught in the Care Gap is collecting stories to share with government representatives: it wants to highlight real-world situations deserving of more government support.

“Numbers are one thing, but the stories are another. We want to help the parliamentarians and policy makers understand how complex it is for the sandwich generation,” Ms Reader told Hello Leaders. 

“People are overwhelmingly unprepared and unsupported as they navigate the last chapters of life with elderly parents. We need to address the significant burden on their family and caregivers because it leads to huge stress in relationships, burnout, financial woes and missed career opportunities.”

New insights from demographer Bernard Salt reveal that unpaid caregiving peaks at age 58. This is the ‘sandwich generation’ referring to all of the people feeling squeezed by competing care responsibilities in midlife – managing careers, supporting multiple generations, juggling finances, and coordinating care from near or far – often with little support. 

Australia’s 85+ population is set to triple over the next 40 years.  By 2032, 65,000 Australians will turn 85 each year, more than five times today’s number, placing immense pressure on families and the healthcare system. 

Combined with a growing number of Australians who want to age at home or in home-like settings, there will be additional pressure on adult children at the centre of the sandwich generation. 

Adding to the complexity is the fact that sandwich generation carers often face sudden decisions regarding a loved one’s healthcare.

Statistics show that only 14% of the population has a plan in place for the last stage of life. Far fewer would be considered current and meaningful and they are rarely discussed by families.

“Too many families face the heartbreaking ‘too little, too late’ scenario,” Ms Reader explains, “‘If only we talked about this sooner…’ These words echo in hospital corridors daily as families face impossible decisions for loved ones when it’s already too late for the conversations that matter most.

“By then, rushed decisions happen in hospital corridors instead of thoughtful choices shared around familiar kitchen tables, surrounded by love and understanding.”

“The other part is as someone moves through their aged care journey there’s not enough preparation, conversation or support for what is life’s last chapter. We’re trying to find ways to help with conversations and planning earlier and in a much more supportive way”

This is where Violet’s initial purpose – to educate and support people navigating life’s final chapters – and its Caught in the Care Gap campaign collide. 

The organisation hopes government funding will help it find a stronghold as the Nation’s go-to resource for practical and emotional support linked to conversations, planning and care through the last stages of life. 

“Violet has built the foundations of a national model with the support of key philanthropic partners and we’ve already supported over 25,000 people. We have real confidence in what we’re building, but we need investment to scale Violet so we can be available to everyone across the country,” Ms Reader said.

“A really helpful shortcut is the way we think about Beyond Blue or Lifeline; a national brand and model. That’s what we would really like to see Violet become, the national trusted place to go to when you’re trying to talk about or plan for or manage the last stage of life.

“We cannot afford to overlook end of life planning any longer because many older people are not having the aged care experience they want or deserve.”

Nurturing conversations

Sadly, family dynamics can play a hugely negative role in end of life care and planning. Siblings who share different viewpoints can ultimately end up making decisions that go against a parent’s wishes. 

This could result in unnecessary, unplanned or unwanted hospitalisations, or being moved into residential aged care when other options to keep them at home are available. 

Ms Reader said education is needed so family members can understand and make appropriate decisions for this chapter. The organisation’s national network of Violet Guides deliver evidence-based support programs to help individuals, families and caregivers, while there are online resources, an online assistant and online community to access via violet.org.au. 

Violet also offers extensive professional development for aged care teams working with end-of-life residents.

“We provide specialised workforce training designed to enhance the comfort, confidence, and capability of staff to engage meaningfully around the last stages of life,” Ms Reader shared. 

“While many aged care professionals already excel in this area, there is a lack of consistency across the sector. It hasn’t been formalised within standard training or practice guidelines. This deeply human aspect of care requires more open discussion and structured planning.”

The innovative Violet Champions program develops internal advocates within organisations, ensuring each facility has properly equipped staff members who can take responsibility for facilitating end-of-life care conversations with residents, families, and caregivers – and connect them to Violet for ongoing support.

The ARIIA-funded Violet Aged Care Industry Solution pilot demonstrated significant real-world impact through partnerships with leading providers, including Calvary, Goodwin Aged Care, and ECH Home Care. The program successfully equipped staff to identify residents entering life’s final stage with greater confidence and willingness.

By empowering more people to openly yet sensitively discuss end-of-life planning, Ms Reader envisions a future where older adults receive care that truly aligns with their personal wishes and preferences. 

This person-centered approach has significant potential to reduce preventable hospitalisations among frail elderly Australians, allowing them to age in place and experience greater dignity and comfort in their final chapter.

More information regarding Caught in the Care Gap: Australia’s Sandwich Generation Speaks is available on Violet’s website.