This is the first installment of a series examining multi-generational household dynamics.

Family dynamics are evolving. Today, more than 50 million Americans reside in multi-generational homes. In many of these households, middle-aged children — the Traditional Sandwich Generation — are caring for elderly parents as well as providing housing for their own grown children. There is also the Club Sandwich Generation, who are in their 50s or 60s sandwiched between aging parents, adult children and grandchildren or those in their 30s and 40s with young children, aging parents and grandparents; and Open-Faced, anyone else involved in elder care.