A growing number of American grandparents—particularly grandmothers—are stepping into full-time caregiving roles for their grandchildren, often due to family circumstances such as parental death, illness or substance use, while simultaneously continuing to work out of financial necessity.

Experts and data indicate this trend has increased significantly since 2009, with many grandparent caregivers facing financial strain, reduced time for themselves and a grandparenting experience that looks far different from previous generations.

University Professor Madonna Harrington Meyer says that many grandparents who take on additional caregiving responsibilities struggle with expenses, sometimes sacrificing meals for themselves, delaying medical care or making significant lifestyle changes. Such sacrifices often come with some regret about depleting their savings, she says.

“Juggling work and grandchildren in your 60s and even 70s can be a big ask that can be a lot for an older body to handle,” Harrington Meyer says.

Read more in the Business Insider article, “I talked to over 100 grandparents — they say their role is wildly different than they expected.”