The Sandwich Woman: The Heart of the Sandwich Generation

Based on their experience as caregivers for their loved ones, two sisters (family members of residents at Juniper Village at Forest Hills in Pittsburgh, PA) have created a website and social media platforms based upon their experience as caregivers.  We support their work with other caregivers and encourage you to learn more. 

Sisters Carole Brecht and Jan Steinle, née Reisman from Pittsburgh, Pa, have been collaborating on their social media focused on the Sandwich Generation, including Instagram, a facebook community page, and their website featuring weekly blogs. The Sandwich Woman: The Heart of the Sandwich Generation is serving a Global Community of boomers.  In the USA alone, it is estimated that over 60,000,000 people now assist the loved ones in their life, both young and old, be it financially, emotionally, physically or all of the above.  Within just a few months, they’ve reached over 1,200 Likes on facebook from 20+ countries, including Spain, South Africa, Singapore, Taiwan & Switzerland.

Both Carole and Jan feature their Zentangle® Inspired Art (ZIA) on all their media.  Zentangle® is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.  The sisters both graduated from the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh, Pa.  Jan is a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) now teaching in the Pittsburgh area.  Carole and Jan believe this art form serves as a perfect metaphor for the complex and multi-layered Sandwich Woman of today. 

Like millions of others who begin by simply “helping out”, the sisters, who have seven children between them, found themselves in the role of Caregiver for their parents, which continues to this day.  Carole and Jan’s collaboration is a tribute to their Father & Mother.  The Sandwich Woman, The Heart Of The Sandwich Generation was created to support boomers who are going through the same emotional journey.  We need to “Nurture the Nurturers”, and remind people how important it is to take care of themselves.   Jan and Carole’s parents are residents at Juniper Village at Forest Hills personal care community. Their mother passed away this past fall and their father still resides at the community. Through the many phases of care needed for their mother, Jan and Carole have gained experience as a “Sandwich Generation” care provider, along with a tremendous amount of knowledge and compassion for families experiencing these same type of situations.

Carole and Jan see this as a Community where people can come together for support, to be inspired, find helpful resources and to learn and share. A place to visit daily while helping the loved ones in their life, where “Words Soothe and Ideas & Art Delight.”

Carole is currently writing a book about The Sandwich Woman: The Heart of the Sandwich Generation, which she hopes to publish by the end of this year. Currently the “Sandwich Woman” facebook page has received over 1200 likes and is now in 20 countries!  Family members, residents and friends are encouraged to visit the Sandwich Woman’s website and facebook page at www.thesandwichwoman.com or facebook.com/thesandwichwoman. You can also find Carole on Instagram at: carole_brecht. For more information you can contact Jan Steinle at janbee.steinle@gmail.com or Carole Brecht at cbrecht4@gmail.com.