Is caring for elderly parents harder than caring for children?

I don't have children either, but i think it might be ... not easier exactly but maybe less difficult because when RAISING children, your efforts and pains and tears and joys are going toward a positive, hopeful, and wondrous future whereas when helping the elderly ease into the inevitable, well I think you get what I'm saying...
i do believe though, that if more young people had to caregive for the elderly, we might have less of a population problem!

Well, I have raised a son, who is now 19, and I can tell you it is different to take care of a parent than a child. With a child, you are teaching them new things, helping them learn to deal with life. With a parent, it is the opposite, they know how to do things (heck, they taught you!), but can no longer do them.
Raising my son was stressful, but watching my Mom move backwards is harder. I find it strange how we are born not knowing how to take care of ourselves, we grow up and do take care of ourselves, then as we get older, we lose that ability again. There have been times when taking care of my Mom is like taking care of a toddler again, it is heartbreaking

I think it is truly different and I am finding it more difficult. The difference for me is in the change in roles. I had a strong mother who is now fragile and anxious. I just try to love her on a day-to-day basis and realize that normal is no longer important. This website has helped me so much and I hope you will stay in touch with all of us.

Yes, caring for my Mom is much harder for one main reason. You are expected to provide guidance..."give orders" to your children and expect them to follow your rules. My Mother is still alert enough to know when I am taking over the role as parent, making her aware that she isn't able to make decisions on her own. It really hurts her for me to "tell" her what she must do...like take a bath, change clothes, etc. I am constantly trying to take care of her needs without her losing her role as "parent".

With kids you know they're gonna grow up and become independent, so your efforts are temporary. With Alz/dementia, no such luck.

caring for a parent is much harder because they are your parents therefore you are still told that you can't tell them what to do because they are your parents or mine says that to me she says I don't know what she needs.

I never had children, but I grew so much respect for my friends that have children, and felt God did not bless me with children, he blessed me with the passion to care for my parents. I totally respect what others have said about the "fine" line about being told what to do and telling them what they "need" to do. It was very hard, but my mother and I came to a quick understanding and we made a routine together and once we stuck to that, it worked for both of us. I found it very hard to cross my father, because he was so strict growing up, however; I had to take control at once point and did it very gently with his doctors and my father grew great respect for me and I then took gentle control with him and started to say the big "no" to him. Wow, did that make me feel great after 45 years of him telling me what to do. LOL. There is a fine line, and I think everyone has to decide where their boarders are and know when to jump or not jump.
Blessings,
Bridget

Yes I find it much more difficult to care for my parents then it was to care for my 2 daughters who now have children of their own.

I think it is harder taking care of a parent than a child.Children do not always question what and why you are doing certain things for them.They are also alot smaller to give a bath,change etc..
I consider myself a born caregiver in life...with my mom this is the hardest thing i have ever done.

Parent is definitely harder. I agree with all above comments.

One reason that has not been mentioned is caregiver age. I'm a senior now and I get tired more easily. When I was taking care of my son I was much younger and had more energy. Trying to schlep my 92 year old deaf mother around is extremely tiring.