Baby Boomers, true to form, reject old patterns and create new ones as they embrace the role of caring for aging parents.

If statistics tell us anything, it's that Baby Boomers have been living well. They've traveled more than previous generations, followed their dreams, raised families, sought enlightenment, joined gyms and built investment portfolios.

But when it comes to taking care of aging parents, is it any different for boomers than for others? Yes. And no.

"Taking care of aging parents is new stuff for whoever gets into it," says Ed Orsua, owner of the Northern Nevada franchise of Homewatch CareGivers, a firm that provides in-home services, from medication to personal care, transportation and companionship, and can provide respite for care-givers. That feeling of newness Orsua refers to - that feeling of stepping into uncharted territory - is the same for the Boomers as for previous generations.

Very few people are ever ready for the challenges, he adds. No matter what skills the adult children bring to the table - whether they run a corporation or bus tables - caring for parents is different. What's more, it's an emotional labyrinth fraught with dead-ends, turn-backs and frustrations for almost every family.

The majority of adult children stepping up to the plate to care for aging parents are women, another fact that's the same as it's always been. The irony for the Baby Boomer generation, says Orsua, is that many of these women are also managing full-time careers and running a household. They're stepping up on many levels.

What's Different

The sheer size of the Baby Boomer generation sets it apart from previous generations. "What's also different is its mobility," says Jane E. Fisher, Ph.D., a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno. That mobility extends to both job and location.

This is a generation that has followed its dreams around the world and then chosen its favorite place to roost. Many have settled in Northern Nevada. Meanwhile, their parents, now hitting their 70s and 80s, are still back home.

But Boomers are a generation that breaks stereotypes. Though their ties to home are long-distance, this generation is there for its aging parents. A University of Southern California Leonard Davis School of Gerontology study released last year concluded that Baby Boomers "are even more committed to caring for aging parents than their own parents were."

The first decision many adult children of aging parents face is whether they should move mom and dad, or move themselves back home to be near enough to provide or monitor care. "It's a mixed bag," says Orsua. In the end, many choose to move parents closer to themselves.

And many care for their parents in their own homes. The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) reports that the "typical" caregiver is a 46-year-old female with a full-time job; almost one-fifth of America's workers are informal caregivers, and a major portion of the care is for aging adults.

Calling on Resources

Services to help caregivers have grown to embrace the Baby Boomers. This is a generation that was socialized to accept outside services, says Fisher. They've learned to turn to therapists and community services for help through troubled times, and those services have expanded in response.

"Nevada is forward-thinking and innovative in this department," says Fisher. "The state has dozens of services to help caregivers." One of them is Nevada 211, a non-profit center established for referrals (reached by dialing 211).

The Nevada 211 specialists match callers' needs with services available, says Mary Ellen Sanchez, a Nevada 211 certified information and referral specialist. Often, specialists also help identify solutions.

Even Baby Boomers, so adept at sifting through mountains of information, both in libraries and on the Internet, can find it difficult to locate the services they need to help them through this period. Indeed, says Fisher, many are not even aware of alternative scenarios possible beyond simply clearing out the spare bedroom and moving parents in.

Nevada's boomers have access to several services that were not available to previous generations. Some provide respite to caregivers; others provide direct help to those in need of care. A new field of study and support has grown up around geriatric specialties.

Through her work with the Nevada Caregiver Support Center, which provides education and practical solutions to those caring for older adults with dementia, Fisher often meets with families in this situation. She helps find solutions and resource, many of which these caregivers didn't know existed.

"Every situation is individual, and there is no how-to for it," says Fisher. Being a caregiver to an aging parent is never an easy job. It is difficult and it is emotional. The best solutions find ways to nurture both the aging parent and the care-giving adult child.

Sandwich Generation Resources
The good news is, there’s plenty of resources out there - if you know where to look. From local programs to national organizations, from books to websites, a veritable cottage industry has sprung up to assist you in juggling the demands of raising kids while also caring for aging parents.

Here are a few local resources for assistance with caring for elderly parents.

Nevada 2-1-1
www.nevada211.org
Nevada 2-1-1 is a direct phone line that connects callers to information regarding critical health and human services available in Nevada. Through dialing 2-1-1 from any Nevada phone line or from a cell phone in Nevada borders, people can access resources ranging from food and shelter information to assistance for the elderly and disabled.

Nevada Care Connection
www.nevadacareconnection.org
Nevada Care Connection is a website that provides up-to-date information and resources, including tips and tools, workshops and special events, to support and assist caregivers of frail or disabled friends and family members.

Nevada Caregiver Support Center
www.nevadacaregiver.org
The Nevada Caregiver Support Center (NCSC) provides education and practical solutions to families and professionals caring for older adults with dementia. The NCSC's aim is to prolong independent living and home-based care while maximizing quality of life. The website provides workshop schedules and information about the center.

Nevada Health and Human Services, Division of Aging
www.aging.state.nv.us
Nevada Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging website takes an extensive look at Nevada’s Services to Aging Persons legislative policies, provides information regarding privacy practices regarding the release of health care information, and provides service and support information for caregivers.

Nevada Legacy Corps
www.nevadalegacycorps.com
Staffed largely by volunteers, the NLC is dedicated to bringing respite to caregivers - both family members and professionals - who provide care to hundreds of elderly and disabled Nevadans throughout Lyon, Douglas, Carson, Storey and Washoe Counties. This website provides helpful information on programs and services in our area.

msnbc.com/modules/take3/may/
A nicely produced cover story and video featuring a filmmaker’s personal account of the challenges facing the Sandwich Generation.