What is a fair compensation for caring for my grandmother?

We both were failing to communicate initially. My mother owns the house, my grandmother and I split the utilities, and I pay 25% of the rent, working up towards taking over the mortgage. My grandmother does not pay rent but my mother has expressed a desire for her to pay rent at some point in the coming months. My grandmother initially proposed paying me an undefined amount consistently for essentially being a full-time caregiver. I would make her meals, help her rise from bed, occasionally help with bathroom needs, help her with physical excersisee to build the muscles needed to be independently mobilie, and help her in the shower, as well as applying a medical cream to the areas of skin affected by the immune disorder. My mother manages all her financial responsiilities., however this is not a role exculsive to just my mother, as my grandma still maintains the mental coherence to oversee her finances independently, but has asked my mother to manage the general responsibility. My main source of income is through e-commerce, but the majority of my time had been dedicated to looking after my grandmother, until recently, as her health has improved. My responsibiities are currently relatively minimal and include the tasks described in my original post. Now that I have more time, I would like to pursue educational goals, but I am aprehensive to begin that journey as my grandmother still needs help doing various everyday tasks and is uncomfortable being alone in fear of falling.

My mother manages my grandmother's finances but does not hold absolute authority over the expenses. My grandmother maintains that aspect. My mother agrees with me and has been the mediator between us in a recent informal contract my grandmother and I formed. When my grandmother hasn't expressed appreciation, my mother has validated my frustration with acknowledgment. She once suggested that I create a list throughout the day noting whenever I help my grandmother and then show her that list with the intent to show her that I do A LOT for her. In my grandmother's eyes, I do the bare minimum and thinks that I want to be compensated for every little thing I do for her. That is far from the case. Not only have I been helping her with specific tasks, but a significant amount of my time is also taken researching things that could help her health and condition, and simply being there consistently to help with anything, is a sacrifice in itself that I was happy to do without a second thought. I could be out with friends, going to school, working a full time job, or pursuing hobbies and interests, but I chose to stay at home so that my grandmother feels more comfortable and doesn't feel as helpless. I even made a balm for her skin out of various ingredients including lavender oil I extracted myself, which she did not appreciate, and then a year later, tells me about an article she read, that said that lavender oil and olive oil help with skin conditions. When I reminded her that I made her a balm with those same ingredients, she responded with doubt. It's countless circumstances like that that make me feel the most underappreciated. Although sometimes I take a minute to do something inconsequential like putting away the dishes, I make sure to get them done. My grandmother and I live as roommates as we both share expenses for living at that house, but my grandmother has the point of view that as a granddaughter, I should do what I am told without objection. Maybe if I felt more appreciated or my efforts were acknowledged, then I would be more inclined to do everything she asked the second she asked, but as I do not feel that way, I am left feeling that I should be compensated a fair amount, and then I would be happy to do whatever she wants right away. I hope I am explaining my thought process fully because the last thing I want to come across as is an inconsiderate grandaughter. When we had a conversation recently and formulated a rough draft for a contract, it was very difficult to try to express my frustration and growing resentment towards my grandmother without her reacting defensively. I expressed that out of resentment, I had been acting out in ways that I felt were immature and explained why I had acted in such a way, and went on to explain that I do not want to act like that, and asked her how could we make this better. Her response was essentially to completely disregard the vulnerable aspects of such an admission, instead choosing to focus on the fact that she knew that I was acting that way on purpose and how that was very low of me. I know that it's low of me, that's my whole point. We ended our conversation on expectations with her saying "and what do I get out of all of this??" at which point I chose to leave the room. I want to have a good relationship with her, but when I hear her mentality expressed in such a way, it makes me feel less optimistic for that to happen.

If she felt that it was too much, I would understand. It's the lack of willingness to communicate openly that really is getting under my skin. She has money to pay for a caregiver she just doesn't want to "waste the money" on hiring someone to do things that I do for her for a fraction of the cost, says my mother who manages all her assets and money. Yesterday she tried to switch the payment plan again and eventually, grudgingly, paid me. What should the contract state exactly? Specifications on payment amount and frequency I'm sure, but what are the consequences if that commitment isn't met? If she fails to adhere to the contract then I stop helping? But then what does she do?

Do you really want to continue doing this? Caregiving needs to work for both parties. If it’s not working for you anymore, you can decide to make changes. Maybe a different job?

Unfortunately, caregiving can become a trap. I hate to see a young person just starting adulthood get stuck in a bad situation.