Rock Steady is a program for folks with PD. It’s exercise, balance exercises, eye hand coordination and such. But more than that, it was support. No way would my husband go to a support group, but he got one with RS. Just being with others who “get it” was a huge and needed emotional boost. I started going with him last year, was his “cornerwoman”. And was blessed with support from the spouses...we became family. His mobility and balance were greatly helped, it’s a rough illness, especially as it’s different for everyone. Please be kind to yourselves...we all lose patience, we all get exhausted and angry with the illness, we all struggle with trying to figure out what’s the illness and what’s just human stubbornness. I found Alexa helped with medicine reminders because I could be very specific about which pill to take and when. I wish I could hug each of you...it’s a difficult journey.

How about products to help those with PD? Put SuperPoles everywhere to aid in standing and maintaining balance. Check out the U-Step walker which is specially designed to help with "freezing" when walking. The Liftware spoon can remove 2/3 of the tremor movement when eating. "Friendly Beds" is a huge aid in getting in/out of bed and repositioning in bed. Due to balance issues (and slowness/stiffness of movement) more caregiver assistance will be needed as PD progresses. Products to help people with PD is one thing but great attention must also be on reducing risk of injury to the caregiver (who usually gets injured first). Once the caregiver/spouse goes down with an injury family chaos is a common result.

mom has Parkinsons Dementia.Loves to soak in her bubble bath, but is not strong enough to sit up and support herself while soaking. Her body quickly slumps downward, or slides down the tub.
Any suggestions of a bath chair, pad,supportive mat, anything that will help support her from slipping and slumping while soaking. We are currently showering, and have been for some time now with a "shower chair" for her support. She misses her bubble bath soaks. And, NO , disabled senior on low fixed income can not afford the "walk in bath".

About 20 years ago my Mother inlaw had an operation to remove Gallstones and since then her health has not been good.She has been treated of Gastritis severally.
However a year ago she was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and for the last two Months she has been staying us.She is not able to bathe or wear clothes alone.Her movement is very slow, she lacks balance & uses a stick.she sometimes cannot walk without support of caretaker & occasionally wets her bed. She is on Sinemet drugs which seem not to help her alot. Do you think she is at her last stage of PD.Is there any other drug that can work better. She is 80 years old.

I have PD and the suggestions were right on! One thing I might add is that I have started having choking problems . Make sure they have water with them at all times

bigcaca- usually it is better if a person can "help themselves" as much as possible because exercise is very important for a person with Parkinsons. Sometimes a hoyer becomes necessary but the person will lose muscle tone because muscles are not being used as much. Plus a hoyer can increase injury potential for person and caregiver. I see many products at tradeshows that may help- contact me if you would like suggestions.

Already mentioned were bed mobility problems due to Parkinsons. It is a huge problem when a person cannot safely get themselves in/out of bed or even reposition themselves for comfort or to reduce bedsore risk. Often it is the lightweight spouse getting up six or more times a night to roll their partner over or otherwise help them- who can do that forever? Or throw in UTIs (common) and caregiver strain can be even worse with even more bathroom help required. Huge problem that rarely gets mentioned but we often receive calls from caregiver spouses that are word by word matches to the above.

My husband doesn't have tremors during the daytime or when napping, but at night, it's like a body shudder, muscle spasm. Any thoughts on this?

i would like to no about using hoist for a parkinson patient

Round door knobs are difficult to operate but the lever handles which most new homes and apartments have are much easier.

This is all very true and very helpful for the new caregiver. I have made many changes to our home to allow my husband safe mobility.

Hi Parkinsons caregivers. I married my husband 8 years ago after knowing him for a couple months. He was 69 and I 68.. Looking back I'm sure he had the on set of P.D. back then. Things gradually got worse. He is at a point where he doesn't drive, cut grass, fix anything around the house, pull weeds etc. All he seems to want to do is , take his pills (obsessed) eat and not do much of anything. I don't think he is incapable of doing a lot of things if he takes his time but I don't think he wants to. Like; pull weeds, clean up a mess.. He use to fix his own breakfast now he always asks me, "will this hurt me if I eat it" He asks constantly, day after day. Is it time to take my pills, over and over. Worse than a little kid obsessed with something. I'm sure he gets frustrated. If we had had years of being together before this happened I think it would be easier to be more patient. I never know if his stubborness is due to the disease or if he is just being a cranky old poop. When I am cranky with him I always feel terrible afterwards, thinking, "why can't I be more patient". I keep thinking, "I know it will constantly get worse" am I going to be able to handle what comes? What am I going to do if I find I can't handle it anymore. I know I put all kinds of guilt trips on myself. I constantly find myself getting aggitated with him when he expects me to do little things for him that I feel he can do for himself.
Like you gals, I don't know what to expect next. I do know for a fact that it will never get better. He stubbed his toe, fell and cracked a hip. That was a long recovery. Thank goodness for home health aids. They taught us how to do a lot of things..Like a safe way to take a shower. Physical therapy taught him how to get out of a chair. (That really helped) He has had P.T. sessions a couple of different times and they have really helped. Even though he does his exercises at home they don't seem to help as much as when he does them at the center. Maybe just getting out of the house is good for him. One thing I have started to do that seems to help me is distance myself mentally from him. When he wants me to do little things for him I think to myself, "If a neighbor or friend asked me to do this, would I do it for them. My answer to myself is YES I definately would. Without hesitation,..So do it for him and don't resent it.
He quit driving a year after we got married so I have to take him where ever and when ever he wants to go somewhere. I feel overwhelmed.
He falls asleep quite often. Especially at the kitchen table. He will drool everytime he falls asleep. This is so sad. Always has a lot of excess syliva. If he sucks on a piece of hard candy this helps him swallow more, therefore less slyvia. I have bought him slip on clothes with elastic waistbands and shoes with velcroe closures. Just make sure the velcroe is long enough to keep the shoe closed securely. Buttons are a real problem. Don't expect them to be able to button anything. Well,,,I'm getting of hearing myself talk so I will close. Please ask me any questions you want. I'm not sure I will be able to answer them but I will sure try. Good Luck to all you caregivers. Love, Dane

im james and i have had parkinson for 20 yrs. i now need 24 hr care, because i cant always get out of bed to goto the bath room or pull my self up off the comode or get back in bed. yet doctors wont tell medicare,medicaid or nursing homes that i needsuch care. ihave no other help available.please anyone,help

My father has Parkinson's as well as other health issues and still lives at home. My mother passed away 2 years ago and he is still depressed. I have an older brother that is mentally disabled (still functions well though) and lives with my father as well as a young irresponsible nephew. My father refuses to "kick them out". I am the youngest of 6 children (one deceased) and have become my father's primary caregiver. I take care of keeping his medicines where he will take them correctly (10 prescriptions) he worries over them constantly - calling me and telling me I forgot to include something which is never true. I go to all of his doctor appts. with him, keep his house clean to the best of my ability, grocery shop, cook, and listen. If he has to go to the hospital I am there pretty much the whole stay and recently had to take a week off work to help while he recovered at home. I work full-time and have a house of my own - my husband does help as much as he can but he works too. I am so stressed out and trying so hard not to take it out on everyone around me. I have never posted anything like this before and I am probably rambling but I need to do something. Thanks for listening.

mrobe68: Hi, my mother has Parkinson's and now also dementia, and my dad has dementia. They both moved in with me and my family last August.
Mom has had Parkinson's for about 20 years. She lived with Parkinson's for a long time with no major inconveniences, except unable to walk for long periods or without a walker or assistance. It's only been in the last 5 years there has been a noted decline. Some of it is due to her age (she's 72); however she would probably be golfing if she hadn't contracted Parkinson's years ago. It was the only ailment she had until the dementia set in recently.
I returned to work a couple of months ago because I couldn't stand the 24 hour nightmare at home. I've hired a couple of people to come in while I'm away, but the mornings/evening, weekends it's me.
I would also like to chat with others who are living with and/or providing care for someone with Parkinson's.

Hi mrobe68, I know exactly what you're talking about. I've been a caregiver for my hubby's grandmother for over a yr now and we moved her in with us about 7 months ago. We have been dealing with full-blown dementia for about 2 months now and wow, we were going crazy! She was just diagnosed with Parkinsons today. I found that researching really helps. Once I realized that what she's doing is actually pretty "normal" for someone with her condition, it made it alot easier to accept. And I also know what to possibly expect in the future. I used to take all her nastyness and paranoia so personal but I don't anymore. I now realize that it's the disease that's acting this way and treating me this way, not grandma. I used to think that she she was just being stubborn and thinking in the back of my mind that she was trying to be mean or "push my buttons". Now I realize that she can't help it. It's not her fault. I can now see her as the victim instead of myself. I've also realized that there are alot of really fun, really awesome caregivers on this site who are going through the exact same types of things that you and I are. That really helps me. I love the link "Grossed Out? Need to Vent?" under the recent disscussions section near the top right of this page. A great place to go and unwind or vent at the end of the day. I have had many a great laugh reading some of the posts on there. You're not alone. Give it a try and see if it helps. Hang in there.

I'm looking to chat with anyone caring for their parent with parkinson's in their home... just feeling angry at times and resentful, want some ideas from others

I have been just diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease age 58 and have cramps in my legs and hands very bad

My Husbands Uncle has come to live with us,he has been here only 2 days and has had 4, or 5 accendents with dirrea..Is there somthing I can do to help with this problem..Like diet.I took away his stool softner for he was taking it 2x a day.Also he is wetting his undeware at least twice a day.Please help me with this so I can stay a good care giver.. Sincerly,
cheryln93