You have a parent-teacher conference that was supposed to start 15 minutes ago, but you're still tied up with Mom at her physical therapy session. Since science can't yet clone you, you'll need to findeldercare solutionsthat work for you.

If you care for your own children in addition tocaring for aging parents, you're a card-carrying member of what's called the sandwich generation. You have unique challenges, and these tips will help you meet them.

• Find adult day care services or other senior services – Keep Mom physically and mentally engaged by finding a good quality center that caters to the senior set. These centers, which you can locate through your local aging agency, offer field trips, educational classes, and exercise programs designed especially for seniors. For many families, these facilities become an important part of theireldercare solution.

• Consider non-medical home care – When you'recaring for aging parentswho are relatively healthy but need help with simple daily tasks, these services can be a god-send. Professional caregivers can shampoo Mom's hair or remind Gramps to take medication. These services can also provide companionship as part of aneldercare solution. For example, a caregiver might watch a movie with Mom while you visit a friend.

• Rally family and friends to help – If you work whilecaring for aging parents, it may well take a village to provide good care. Have an informal family meeting to divvy up responsibilities for Dad's care. From teens who can help him shop to siblings who can drive him to appointments, family and friends are a crucial part ofcaring for aging parents.

In addition, 2/3 of caregivers report they've missed work due to a care crisis, so find a support network that can spring into action when Dad's not feeling well, minimizing the time you lose at work because ofcaring for aging parents.

Remember that family and friends may do things a bit differently than you. For instance, that meatloaf you asked your spouse to make might turn out tasting like low-quality cardboard. Don't complain about the effort. Instead be thankful that he or she decided to help!

• Enlist professional services –Eldercare solutionsaren't cheap, even if you decide to care for Dad at home. In fact, some experts estimate it can cost nearly $16,500 each and every year to cover the cost of both child care and elder care. In addition, 58% of thosecaring for an aging parentsay their parent does not have enough money to support their own needs. Don't put your family in the poorhouse. Talk to a professional financial advisor with expertise in counseling childrencaring for an aging parent.

Also consider advising your parent to file a living will or medical power of attorney to head off family feuds regarding Mom's health care wishes. She'll feel better knowing her wants are in writing and you'll feel better knowing you took the time to plan aneldercare solution.

Caring for aging parentscan be stressful for the sandwich generation, but there are resources that make the job less likely to trigger new gray hairs. Plan youreldercare solutionnow.