Sandwich Generation Australia: Private Aged Care & Retirement Planning Insights

In July 2025, we explored the growing pressures facing the sandwich generation — middle-aged Australians balancing work, raising children and supporting ageing parents.

  Read the original article: Private aged care for parents  

Since then, the conversation has only become more important.

More older Australians prefer personalised home care, leaving families to coordinate care while managing their own careers, children, and the everyday responsibilities of their personal lives.

This follow-up article highlights key Australian statistics and practical ways private in-home care can provide flexible support that protects everyone’s well-being.

The reality for today’s sandwich generation

The “sandwich generation” is not a small group! Australian commentary on the phenomenon notes that about 1.5 million middle-aged Australians fall into this “in-between” caring role, with adults in their 40's among the most likely to be juggling responsibilities across generations.

For many families, the turning point isn’t a single crisis. It’s a gradual build-up, such as:

• Appointments are missed, or key steps are forgotten
• Driving becomes unsafe or stressful
• The house is harder to maintain
• A fall or hospital visit raises new concerns

These moments often prompt the question: How can we put the right supports in place before things escalate?

 You might find this article helpful:  Questions families ask about in-home aged care  

Why are more families considering private aged care earlier?

More families are choosing to act proactively rather than waiting for circumstances to worsen. Private care is particularly helpful for families when they need support at short notice.

Depending on your situation, private care may offer:

• Support that can commence quickly
• Flexible hours and personalised services
• Choice over routines and schedules
• Short-term or regular in-home care
• Ongoing communication with family members who may live a long distance away from their parents
• Reassurance that there are regular professionals attending to parents from a local home care provider 

For sandwich generation families, flexibility matters because the competing demands are real, and flexible support helps in moments when it's difficult to choose between conflicting priorities.

What does “Private Care” really mean for families?

“Private aged care” or "private in-home nursing care" is sometimes misunderstood as residential care.

In reality, private home care is vastly different from traditional residential aged care, such as a nursing home, where routines are shared, and choice can be limited by staffing ratios and facility schedules. 

Private in-home support is personalised and delivered on your terms.

Private in-home care is designed for ultimate flexibility and personalisation. Support services can be adjusted over time to ensure the right level of support is in place as needs change.

Private Support from Just Better Care typically includes:

• Personal care and daily living assistance
• Social support and companionship
• Domestic assistance
• Overnight or 24-hour care
• Dementia support
• Respite for family carers

Reducing burnout for families and carers

One of the biggest risks for people in the sandwich generation is carer burnout. When you’re juggling work, raising children and supporting ageing parents at the same time, it can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Without regular breaks and the right support, stress can quickly build, impacting your own health, relationships and overall wellbeing.

We know that many family members will not identify as carers; they simply see themselves as “helping out”.

But when support extends into medication routines, mobility assistance or supervision for cognitive change, the load can become unsustainable. Read our article on Carer Burnout and the importance of respite for carers

Introducing professional support doesn’t mean stepping back from your parents. It's about creating a sustainable arrangement that protects everyone’s well-being and preserves relationships. 

Learn how private in-home support can ease pressure on your family.   Flexible Private Care to support families  

Supporting parents with progressive needs, including dementia

More families are managing older parents with complex needs, including dementia and chronic illness. 

Early, structured support can reduce risks, maintain routines, and enhance safety while helping your parents feel less disoriented in the familiar environment of their own home and local community.

Our local teams have resources, experience, and recieve specialised training to support customers and families living with dementia. Find out more about our specialised dementia support  

With compassionate, consistent care at home, people and families living with dementia can maintain dignity, routine and meaningful connection.

Personalised private support services may help with:

• Daily routines and personal care
• Medication prompts and meal preparation
• Mobility, travel and transport
• Meaningful engagement and companionship

Financial planning across generations: preparing for the cost of care.

For many in the sandwich generation, financial planning isn’t just about managing day-to-day expenses; it’s also about talking to their parents about financial planning for future care needs.

The Just Better Care 2025 Retirement Report highlights a readiness gap in planning and savings for aged care. This matters to the sandwich generation right now because, as parents age or experience an unexpected health change, decisions often need to be made quickly. 

Without forward planning, families can find themselves facing urgent and unanticipated care costs.

The report highlights expectations of higher retirement savings, yet this does not always translate into true financial preparedness for aged care. This contrast reinforces the importance of early family conversations, meeting with a financial adviser, and planning ahead for future care costs.

Maintaining relationships, not just routines

When adult children become coordinators and carers for a parent, they often face a complex, emotional transition, balancing love with the physical and mental toll of caring.

Bringing in professional support at home can help families restore balance and spend more time on what matters: connection, shared moments, and meaningful time together. 

Signs it may be time for extra support

Changes in health and independence often happen gradually. What starts as small adjustments to daily routines can slowly become ongoing challenges for both older people and their families.

If you notice any of the following, it may be time to explore additional care:

• Increased falls risk or mobility concerns
• Memory lapses affecting safety
• Social withdrawal or loneliness
• Poor nutrition or missed meals
• Difficulty managing household tasks
• Carer stress, fatigue or reduced capacity

Looking ahead: a sustainable approach to family care

The sandwich generation is not a passing phase. It reflects a lasting demographic shift across Australia, and families need care solutions that are practical, responsive and from a trusted local provider.

With more than 20 years of experience and local teams across every state and territory, Just Better Care combines national strength with local understanding. That means responsive service, tailored support and trusted expertise delivered in the community.