Gratitude really does make a difference.
Some days are tough for this adult child, even though I am not a direct caregiver for my elderly parents. The amazing assisted living staff and an incredible caregiver, who visits two or three times each week, provide the bulk of the support. Yet, there is still so much more to do — coordinating appointments, paying bills, purchasing necessities, keeping a calendar, ensuring that they have enough of this or that between my visits, and lots of other tasks.
It takes time, although I am completely aware that what I do, along with my husband’s help, is nothing compared to families who care for a fragile elder full time at home.
Yet when I begin to feel sorry for myself, I remind myself of the gratitude I feel toward my parents.
Over the many years, both mom and dad have given me and my family much to be grateful for — time, advice, vacations, modeled values, occasional financial help, and a good deal more. Oh yes, and love — lots and lots of love.
What I am doing for them is dwarfed by what they’ve given to me. Yet even as they need my support, my parents worry about me — wondering whether their affairs are creating too much work for me, interfering with my job, whether I’m driving too far, or allowing enough time to spend with my grandchildren.
I am grateful to my parents for helping me develop an optimistic outlook on life, for instilling my concern and respect for others, for demonstrating again and again how to make the world a better place, and for their forgiveness every single time I’ve ever made a mistake.
Gratitude really does make a difference.
As Our Parents Age So Do We 
Completely agree! An attitude of gratitude is very helpful to make the difficult days of caregiving easier. When I’m especially exhausted from work, and so many things to take care of at home, on top of caring for my mom— I try to remind myself of all the things my mom did for me and our family and how grateful I am to have a mom like her. This makes for caring for her easier even when she is being difficult.
LikeLike
Giving back to my 93 year old mother has become a major theme of my life.
Every living day is a gift for her and that motivates me to care. I regret that I am doing this task alone as an only son.
LikeLike