We planned another trip with her to come visit us for the holidays, booked her flight and gave her something to look forward to doing.

FORBES: Do You Have What It Takes to be a Distance Caregiver for Aging Parents?

It enables you to pay your bills, save money, have health insurance, and do something every day that you look forward to doing.

FORBES: 14 Tips For Staying Calm During A Job Interview

"Between the pain, the medication, the realization that their life has been changed, they're doing something that gives them a great deal of pleasure and that they can look forward to, " Nicholson says.

CNN: Wounded warriors go fishing for recovery