In segment two of this week's Smart Talk TV: The pressure of being a supportive spouse, raising kids, saving for their college education and your retirement, plus caring for your aging parents can leave you feeling, well, squished.  It's why many of us are part of a growing American demographic that therapists call, The Sandwich Generation.  As part of our Real Life Real Issues series, we'll talk with a local counselor about ways to cope with the stresses on Smart Talk, Thursday night at 8.

Lesley Davis is a licensed professional counselor at PinnacleHealth.  In nearly two decades of counseling families, she has treated multi-generational patients ranging in age from three to the mid-70s.  "It comes up quite frequently," she says.  "People are waiting to have kids until later in life.  We also are seeing a lot of two-career households and a lot of people living longer.  So in that respect, because they are living longer, we are seeing more health issues and we are seeing people who are working with children at home, who also have multiple sports and musical activities and different things that they're running them to.  And, then on top of that, they have to deal with their parents' issues."

So, what does Davis counsel overworked, overstressed, sandwich-generation patients to do?  "Number one is not to forget yourself and your own needs in the process.  Take care of yourself and reach out for support to deal with your own emotions," Davis advises.  "We're prepared for when our children are going to walk, for what their needs are going to be.  We are not prepared, often times, and are blindsided with the phone call that the parent is in the hospital and has had a stroke.  We're not prepared for it emotionally, financially, or physically, and there can be sibling rivalry.  So a lot of times, it's just a question of finding a sounding board and being a sounding board to someone in need."

Ms.Davis will answer your questions and comments Thursday.  Just call in live at 8 p.m. to 1-800-729-7532, or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or post a comment to www.facebook.com/witf.org.

Dr. Linda Rhodes, former secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging under the late Governor Bob Casey, says 29 percent of Americans provide care for a frail relative and they spend about 20 hours a week doing so.  In the March issue of Central PA magazine, Dr. Rhodes details the profile of a typical family caregiver (married female, 49 years old, employed, caring for a widowed mother – sound familiar?!) and the range of options available to help balance all of these competing obligations.  And Radio Smart Talk featured The Sandwich Generation this week.  Be sure to check it out.  And then please join the continuing conversation, Thursday at 8, on witf TV.