Care Stories — The Sandwich Generation
Stabilizing Care Across Generations
When childcare and eldercare needs collided across cities, one employee faced a breaking point that quickly impacted his ability to work. Here’s how Family First stepped in to stabilize care across two generations, uncover critical gaps, and put a coordinated plan in place that restored stability at home and focus at work.
Employer Profile
Employee Profile
Industry: Information Technology
Caregiving Role: Caring for a Child and Aging Parent
HQ: Beijing, China
Benefit Referrals: EAP
Size: 1,000 globally
Experience Enlisted: Insurance Navigation, Difficult Family Dynamics, Childcare, Eldercare, Complex Care
The Situation
Ken, an IT director at his firm's Beijing office, was at breaking point with caregiving on two fronts. His 2-year-old daughter needed full-time nursery care after his mother-in-law, who had been looking after her daily, was hospitalised with a hip fracture.
His own father in Chengdu was showing signs of cognitive decline and had been involved in a kitchen fire. He was juggling Beijing hospitals, Chengdu relatives, and nursery waitlists. His team lead had noticed a sharp drop in his output and engagement.
"My mother-in-law was our childcare plan. When she went into hospital, everything collapsed at once."
— Ken C., Sandwich Generation Caregiver
How We Work
From first conversation to ongoing support, our Care Experts don’t just guide. They do the work, solving care needs and staying with caregivers every step of the way.
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Engage, Listen, Understand
We start by listening. Employees are matched 1:1 with a Care Expert to understand what's really going on, not just the immediate issue.
Do the Work
Proactive planning, coordination, coaching and advocacy. We make the calls. We navigate the systems. We take what we can off caregivers' plates.
Ongoing Support & Outcomes
Support continues until goals are outcomes are achieved and stress is reduced. We stay with caregivers until the work is done.
Working with a Care Expert
A whole-person assessment that standard healthcare misses
Family First brought in two Care Experts to work on both situations given the multiple locations. One worked with the employee and one worked collaboratively behind the scenes.
The initial assessment uncovered that Ken's father had not seen a neurologist despite clear warning signs, and the family had no idea about Chengdu's long-term care insurance pilot programme. The Care Experts also found that Ken was unaware of Beijing's subsidised community nursery options. The Care Experts built a care plan covering both the childcare gap and the emerging eldercare needs
How We Helped
One Care Expert. Six coordinated moves.
Found and secured a spot at a licensed community nursery with immediate availability, plus back up and emergent care options through a local trusted neighbour with children the same age
Arranged a temporary part-time helper to cover the gap until nursery started
Worked with a Chengdu care partner to arrange a neurological assessment for his father
Walked the family through the long-term care insurance application process
Researched and recommended home safety changes and a care attendant for his father
Set up a family communication plan to share eldercare responsibilities among siblings
"Family First managed two crises in two cities simultaneously. My daughter is happy, my father is safe, and I can do my job again."
Measurable results — for the caregiver and the employer.
30% Caregiver Burnout Reduction
9/10 Employee Satisfaction
6 Solutions Secured
180 Hours of Productivity Regained over 12 Weeks
Zero Unplanned Absences; Down from 5 the Month Prior
Daughter in childcare within one week. Father received diagnosis and home care plan with safety changes
This is what championing caregivers looks like
See how Family First can deliver meaningful outcomes for your employees across every life stage of caregiving.