How to Care for a Loved One with Parkinson’s Disease

Nearly 1 million people in the US are living with Parkinson’s Disease, and an estimated 50,000 people get diagnosed each year. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder that results from the degeneration of the nerve cells in the brains. In a person with PD, there is damage to the part of the brain that produces dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter allowing the movement of the muscles. And since PD is progressive, it worsens over time, and as the disease worsens, the amount of dopamine in the brain decreases. Its causes are still unknown, and there is currently no cure. It can only be managed through medication and treatment options available.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease:

Impaired balance and coordination
Uncontrollable tremors
Slowness of movement
Stiffness

Caring for a loved one with PD

Caring for a family member with PD can be challenging. As a family caregiver, your support plays a critical role in ensuring the best management of PD. It’s also a good idea to find nonmedical home care to make sure that they remain safe at home. Here’s what you can do when caring for a loved one with PD:

Support during the diagnosis of PD: confirming PD and establishing the best treatment option will require multiple visits to the doctor. During this time, your support to the loved one will ensure that they regularly make it to the appointments, get their questions answered, and keep up with the follow-up visits.

Encouraging treatment: during the medical regime, your loved one may feel overwhelmed and give up on the treatment. Your help and support will keep them motivated and ensure that they remember appointments and take medications as recommended.

Day-to-day life: with the progression of the disease, your loved one may require assistance with daily living activities and staying active throughout the day. Plus, they may need a safer home environment so that they don’t slip and fall, which is common among people with PD. As a caregiver, you will have to make sure that they meet their daily errands and remain safe and comfortable at home. You can also get help from the best nonmedical home care.

Emotional support: living with PD can take a toll on mental health, leading to anxiety and depression. It can also alter the person’s thinking and the way they communicate. However, your support system can help them cope with the toll that PD takes.

If you or your loved one has Parkinson’s Disease, let us take care of them by delivering the best nonmedical home care customized to their unique needs.