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Alzheimer’s Caregivers- Gratitude is A Way to Keep The Glass Half Full!

Thanksgiving for caregivers is about much more than a plentiful family meal.  It’s a special time for those entrusted with caring for a loved one. For some, gratitude is a way to keep the cup half-full, especially when someone you love is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Four years ago, Mary Anne first showed symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  Since then, Mary Anne and her husband Phil have been through a lot. Tears, fears, and, finally, acceptance, filled Phil’s days and nights.  Learning at a rapid pace what they needed to know legally and medically, they also had to take in new insights about how to live the life they shared to the fullest while they still could enjoy their time together.

For Phil, being grateful and thankful for what they had was one of the things that kept him going. Sometimes the gratitude was as simple as having the ability to laugh. Phil became thankful for laughter that could dispel the challenges.

Gratitude also allowed Phil to see more of the good in the world.  This is not an easy thing to do when someone you love is not how they used to be.  Keeping a list of what he was thankful for made it possible for Phil to more completely enjoy the moments that all too quickly went by.  In some ways focusing on what he had to be thankful for gave him the ability to be more open to what life had to offer – even when he felt helpless to change its course.

Phil sees Thanksgiving and gratitude as the things that helped him most as he began the healing journey as his wife’s illness progressed.  We hope some other caregivers who read this post will feel the same solace and gratitude for the positive things they have in their lives.

At Farr Law Firm, P.C., we would like to wish all of our clients, friends, staff, and everyone out there a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving filled with peace, love, warmth, and gratitude!

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About Evan H Farr, CELA, CAP

Evan H. Farr is a 4-time Best-Selling author in the field of Elder Law and Estate Planning. In addition to being one of approximately 500 Certified Elder Law Attorneys in the Country, Evan is one of approximately 100 members of the Council of Advanced Practitioners of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a Charter Member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners.