Since 1950, the average US life expectancy has gone up by almost 10 years, from 70 to 80. With health care continuing to advance, including improvements to end of life care, this steady rate of growth can only be expected to continue.

One of the most unexpected results of everyone living longer has been the rise of the Sandwich Generation. Referring to many adults in their 40s and 50s, they are the nearly 50% of their group who have a parent that is 65 or older while also raising or supporting a child. These adults, sandwiched between caring for their children and parents, make up some of the more than 4.4 million US households where three or more generations live under one roof.

Unfortunately, the responsibility of caring for parent and child alike is placing undue stress on members of the Sandwich Generation. Faced with helping their parents navigate their golden years or getting their kids set on their own track in life, middle-aged Americans are left with little time to care for their own needs.

In conjunction with WITF's Transforming Health, Thursday's Smart Talk looks at the continuing growth of the Sandwich Generation, what challenges come with multi-generational care, and the effects on child, parent, and grandparent alike.

Appearing on the program are Dr. Linda Rhodes, Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging and Author of The Essential Guide for Caring for Aging Parents and Joan Krechmer, Executive Director and Geriatric Care Manager at Jewish Family Services in York.