5 Tips for Mastering the “Art of Thank You” as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver

                                               “People don’t say thank you any more.  Or write thank you notes,” a friend mentioned the other day. Is this you in your busy life?  Or do you think, “Why me?  Shouldn’t people be thanking me?!!”

However, a thank you note or e-mail, even a small gift for someone who helps you out, cheers you up, takes your mind away from your cares for awhile will make both of you feel better. An e-mail thank you or a note through the postal mail means so much.  Especially when someone isn’t expecting it. 

 Even a verbal “thank you” for the Alzheimer’s patient after a task well done, or at least attempted, may bring about more willingness to try.  They may have forgotten a few minutes later, but the interchange brightened the day for a moment.

I was taught by a mother, who sat us at the dining table to write thank you notes the day after receiving a gift.  But I find myself so caught up in a busy life that I must keep a “thank you note list” or “thinking of you list” so I don’t forget. 

*Have little appreciation notes ready that you can simply sign and drop into the mail when you’re in a hurry.  Add a few hand written words if you have time.

*Send a thank you e-mail to friends and family who cheer you. 

*Realize the “older” (grandma) generation was brought up with mothers who made sure they wrote thank you notes.  They truly appreciate these bits of thoughtfulness

*Carry postcards with you so you can write notes while you wait or find someone needs a bit of cheer.  These may be special ones or simply those purchased at the post office with a happy face or floral sticker on them.

*Smile!  Even those little smiling faces on your e-mail notes add a bit of cheer with thank you’s.

 Don’t be someone of whom is said: “They never say thank you.”         

What tip do you have for mastering “The Art of Thank You?”