Caring for Aging Parents While Planning Your Own Retirement

In this episode of ThimbleberryU, we dive into the growing challenge facing healthcare professionals—the balancing act of caring for aging parents while still preparing for their own retirement. We’re talking directly to those in the “sandwich generation,” especially nurses, physicians, and hospital leaders who are used to caregiving professionally and now find themselves extending that care to family.


We explore how this dual role adds emotional and financial weight. Many healthcare professionals become the “go-to” child in the family, shouldering time off work, travel, coordination, and often direct financial support. But as Amy reminds us, we can’t pour from an empty cup. Our ability to help others long-term depends on preserving our own financial health first.


We talk through the major financial decisions that come up—care settings for aging parents, sibling coordination, insurance gaps, and legal documents. There’s often an assumption that Medicare will cover long-term care, but it doesn’t, which leads to unexpected financial strain. Amy also highlights the importance of separating finances, documenting contributions, and maintaining clear records to protect relationships and ensure fairness.


A major theme we come back to is boundaries. Just like in an emergency on an airplane, we must put on our own oxygen mask first. For financial health, that means building a plan for ourselves before helping our parents. That clarity allows us to make better decisions, communicate expectations with siblings, and avoid jeopardizing our own retirement.


We also recognize the strengths healthcare professionals already bring—assessment, planning, communication, and monitoring. These are the same skills needed to manage a family’s financial and care responsibilities. Amy urges listeners to apply their professional mindset to this personal challenge.


Finally, we lay out five concrete next steps: gain financial clarity for both generations, start those tough conversations early, prioritize your own retirement, coordinate insurance and estate planning, and build a team of advisors, including financial planners and elder law attorneys. Sustainable care means both generations are supported—and planning ahead is the only way to get there.


00:00 - Intro
00:14 - The Sandwich Generation in Healthcare
00:49 - Emotional and Financial Weight of Caregiving
02:24 - Financial Decisions When Parents Need Support
04:59 - Sibling Dynamics and Hidden Costs
05:48 - Helping Without Sacrificing Your Retirement
08:33 - Applying Professional Skills to Family Finances
10:42 - Five Concrete Next Steps
12:21 - Sustainable Care Across Generations
12:42 - How to Contact Thimbleberry Financial






To get in touch with Amy and her team at Thimbleberry Financial, call 503-610-6510 or visit thimbleberryfinancial.com (https://thimbleberryfinancial.com/) .