What are some tips for a Parkinson's caregiver?

Here are a few things to remember when dealing with Parkinson's and caregiver duties:

1. Talk candidly about the disease with each other. It is important to know each other feelings so that when those bad days come along, you understand what they are going through and make allowances. Discuss how the disease is impacting each of your lives and how both of you plan to handle it.

2. Do not allow the disease to define who you and your loved one are. Place your personal relationship first whether it is man and wife, sister and brother or friend and friend. Your individuality is important as well so keep up each other's personal interests for as long as possible and find alternate ways to enjoy them if your Parkinson's loved one can no longer be active in some of them.

3. Respect each other's journey with Parkinson's as the caregiver and patient role is quite different. If your loved one wishes to wait to share the news of the disease with others, respect that decision. If they are not ready to learn more about the disease and delve into alternate treatments and such, respect that option but feel free to look on your own. When your Parkinson's loved one is ready to venture further, you will be ready at hand with more information.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for second or third opinions and respect your Parkinson's loved one if they are not quite ready to go forth with that move. Find a good doctor that listens to your loved ones problems and can answer questions to satisfy your needs.

5. Don't be afraid to ask for help for yourself or your Parkinson's loved one. If they are in denial and you are becoming depressed or over worked, you need help and they will eventually see that. Look to family and friends and even support groups in your area.
These and other suggestions are all online-for you to check out...
Best on your careging journey,
Hap

Mom has Parkinson's. I see that others have a more difficult time dealing with it than my Mom or me. Sometimes Park. patients will get a blank stare on their faces...I need to remind her docs to speak to her directly.
Mom has a great sense of humor...so people are often taken aback when she lets out one of her funnies. I also encourage her to go out to eat or go shopping with me. At first she just wanted to stay at home where no one would "stare." I told her she has just as much right to move around in the world as anyone else. I just try not to make a big deal about it and that seems to relax her.
As far as practical advise....just make sure the home environment is safe. Mom uses a walker all the time now. (when we go out we use a light weight transport chair) She has handle bars in the bathroom and a riser on the toilet. I found non-skid dinner plates that won't move around as she eats. She uses a spoon instead of a fork. I bought her paper, throw-away bibs so she can keep herself clean when she eats.
Medications have not worked all that well for her. She seems to get more relief from her tremors by using an OTC remedy such as excedrin. The tremors increase when she is stressed, so I have found a few activities that she enjoys like jigsaw puzzles. She can still cook a little too.
Parkinsons takes in so many varied symptoms, so it is hard to give "one-size-fits-all" advice.
good luck,
Lilli

My 83 yr old mother suffers from Parkinsons. We swapped out pretty much everything in the kitchen to light weight easy to grip pots, dishes, etc... It has helped tremendously --