GRAND Magazine - January/February 2018 - 14

invisible grands

Sandwich generation: Take care of yourself
BY PAT HANSON, PH.D.

any of us are in the
"sandwich generation." We may be
providing care for elders in
their 80's or 90's, while
also having adult children in our homes
with grandchildren
that we care for or
aren't able to see as
much as we'd like.
For many of us it is
a triple-decker sandwich full of unexpected
seasonings. If we are
not careful, the
amount of time
and energy we
spend taking
care of others
can deplete us
and cause illness.

Let's model healthy body, mind and spirit practices
for our descendants, whether they can witness
them in person or not.

14 GRAND

JANUARY FEBRUARY 2018

Steps for our mental, physical
and spiritual fitness
Eat well -

Choose a balance of fresh rather than processed foods, with lots
of protein and grains.
Exercise - "Keep Moving" led the list of hints a dozen nonagenarians like Carl
Reiner, Betty White, Mel Brooks, and Dick Van Dyke all gave about maintaining
vitality in the HBO documentary "If I'm Not in the Obits, I Eat Breakfast." Walk, jog,
swim, do tai chi or Pilates to the level you are able, for as long as you are able.
Sleep - is a place our minds need to be a minimum of seven to eight hours a
day. The amount of sleep we need increases more and more as we grow older. R-ES-T in between periods of meaningful work is vital. Naps ought to be mandatory.
Practices for peace of mind - Meditation, tai chi, chi gong and long slow walks
in nature lead the list of activities that reduce stress and can even improve brain
function. Avoiding toxic people or situations, even if they are family members, is
also on that list.
And although it isn't easy to face one's own mortality, nor talk to children about
death, any adult regardless of age ought to "have their papers in order" by having
a will or written instructions about passing on "stuff." An advanced directive or palliative care agreement concerning both in and out of the hospital end of life procedures can help all family members have some peace of mind about your wishes.
The two to three generations created out of our gene pool can learn a lot from
the choices we make to maintain maximum health. Let's model healthy body, mind
and spirit practices for or descendants, whether they can witness them in person
or not.

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Dr. Pat Hanson is a seasoned health educator,
public speaker, and workshop facilitator. She
is the author of Invisible Grandparenting:
Leave A Legacy Of Love Whether You Can Be
There or Not. She lectures nationally on Aging
Positively and is a columnist for the magazine:
Crone: Women Coming of Age.

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GRAND Magazine - January/February 2018

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