FANews Special Edition Newsletter and Printed magazine – February 2025

The sandwich generation – those simultaneously caring for aging parents and supporting their own children – is a growing demographic in South Africa. Often in their 40s and 50s, these individuals face the challenge of balancing financial, emotional, and physical caregiving responsibilities for two generations. This situation can place a strain on household budgets, retirement savings, and emotional well-being, especially given the rising cost of healthcare. Gap cover is an essential tool for alleviating some of these pressures, offering financial relief and peace of mind.

Growing pressures

In South Africa, many families are feeling the impact of these demographic changes, including longer life expectancies and delayed parenthood. This has created a situation where middle-aged individuals are financially responsible for both elderly parents and dependent children.

While figures vary depending on the source and methodology, some studies suggest that nearly half of adults in their 40s and 50s in South Africa are part of the sandwich generation, providing financial and emotional support to both parents and children. Caregivers in this group are twice as likely to report financial difficulty compared to those who are only supporting aging parents. Emotional strain is also higher, with many caregivers experiencing stress, burnout, and challenges in maintaining a work-life balance.

Rising medical costs

Further exacerbating this is the escalating cost of healthcare in South Africa, with medical aid premiums increasing by an average of 9.3% to as high as 12.75% in 2025, according to announcements from major medical schemes. This trend is driven by medical inflation that consistently outpaces the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which was recorded at 4.4% in August 2024. Many families have been forced to downgrade their medical aid plans to manage these costs, leaving significant gaps in coverage.

These shortfalls can result in unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for specialist consultations, hospital stays, and advanced medical procedures. For the sandwich generation, these expenses can quickly deplete savings, derail retirement plans, and add to financial anxiety. Gap cover assists to bridge the gap between what medical schemes pay and the actual cost of care, ensuring that aging parents receive the necessary treatments without jeopardising the caregiver’s financial stability.

The benefits of gap cover

Gap cover offers a multi-faceted solution to the challenges faced by the sandwich generation. It addresses medical expense shortfalls, reducing out-of-pocket expenses, especially for costly procedures such as oncology treatments or specialist care. This coverage is crucial for ensuring that unexpected medical expenses do not erode savings set aside for education, retirement, or other financial goals.

In addition, gap cover plans may include comprehensive benefits such as coverage for oncology co-payments, casualty costs, and specialised scans. These extended benefits offer a safety net for managing the diverse health needs of multiple generations. The financial security provided by gap cover also reduces anxiety, enabling caregivers to focus on their responsibilities without the added stress of unplanned medical expenses. By alleviating healthcare-related financial burdens, it supports better work-life balance for caregivers.

Financial stability and peace of mind

By addressing the financial gaps in healthcare coverage, gap cover empowers caregivers to provide high-quality care for aging parents, maintain financial stability, and foster healthier family relationships. It ensures that caregivers can safeguard their family’s emotional and financial well-being while navigating the complex demands of dual caregiving responsibilities.

For South Africa’s sandwich generation, gap cover is an invaluable tool that goes beyond addressing short-term medical costs. It provides the confidence and resources needed to meet caregiving challenges, preserve financial health, and promote emotional resilience. As healthcare costs continue to rise, investing in gap cover becomes an investment in the stability and future of the entire family.

Tony Singleton – CEO Turnberry Management Risk Solutions

FAnews

https://getcovered.turnberry.co.za/app/1

What is Gap Cover?

 

 

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Client Testimonials

I first learnt about Turnberry when my 1st born needed to get his own medical, and because medical schemes are so expensive, I had to take a plan which we could afford.  I took out a Turnberry policy for him and when he was in a serious accident, we could not afford the cost of the helicopter which needed to fly him to Pretoria but Turnberry paid the expenses.  That was when I decided to take out a Turnberry policy for myself as well.  Because of your excellent services I have already promoted your product to all my friends and lot of them have also signed up with Turnberry.   Thank you for your excellent service.   I do not think that anyone with any medical scheme can be without your product.        Lena Ras 

 

If it wasn’t for gap cover I would have had enormous medical expenses.  I have had to claim twice in one year.  Don’t think about it just do it!  It’s the right thing to do.  One never knows when you might need the gap cover.  I broke my foot just before lockdown due to a brick that was left on a pavement after someone had a motor vehicle accident and they kept the robot upright with the bricks.  Whomever did that left some of the bricks on the pavement and at 5h00 in the morning I didn’t see the bricks… Needless to say I ran into the brick and that’s how I broke my foot.  Unexpected medical disbursements which I did not budget for and already had to undergo two operations.  I have had many expenses and I can truly recommend gap cover. I would recommend Turnberry Gap Cover and have already done so amongst my colleagues at the office.   I rate their services as – Excellent!      Louna van Tonder