Is helping an ailing parent always tough? shouldnt we be dismantling the walls we've built against each other and practice love & forgiveness?

Not always: As it depends on the relationship. Ailing parents can have a lot of old "baggage" and may not have the skills to practice love and forgiveness...They may have guilt over old perceptions and events. We all tend to form ideas and misperceptions that we hold on to because they hurt...If you practice love and forgiveness you will break down the walls. Check out the 5 love languages by chapman.

Caregiving: ..can be so challenging. It's a mixed experience where people often feel a sense of purpose but also suffer from a number of emotional and physical problems. It's difficult! Make sure you're enlisting help, connect with support, work on cultivating your own sense of calm, and don't forget that exercise for both you and your loved one, if possible, can be invaluable.Keep your own health and sanity!