Parkinson’s Caregiving Tips

Caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease can be challenging, but with patience and a proper care plan in place, the role can be more manageable. Make sure to include your senior loved one in the caregiving process and give his or her opinions serious consideration. Below are some tips you should use when caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease.

Learn About the Disease

Although most caregivers assume their roles involuntarily, they should still learn as much as they can about the aging process, including the development of chronic conditions. If you take the time to learn as much as possible about Parkinson’s, you could ease your caregiving load and make your loved one’s life more comfortable. Educating yourself about the disease helps you prepare for the behavioral problems your loved one may encounter and gives you insight into how to handle these situations.
Some of the things you should learn regarding Parkinson’s disease include:
• The number of stages in the disease and what happens to mobility during each stage
• Harmful foods your loved one should avoid
• The best exercises for seniors with this disease
• How long your loved one can still drive and participate in favorite hobbies

Promote Independence

Seniors with Parkinson’s should be allowed to do as much as possible without receiving help to preserve their independence and prevent the disease from progressing at a rapid rate. Learn when it’s appropriate to step in and help your loved one. Keep in mind that during the early stages of the disease, many of your loved one’s motor skills will function normally, so he or she may not want to receive assistance from you or other individuals. In some cases, you may need to sit back and monitor your loved one, only stepping in to prevent an accident or injury.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with everyday activities, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable in-home care. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

Set Realistic Goals

As a family caregiver, you can assist with activities, prepare healthy meals, and help your loved one maintain good sleeping habits to ease many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s, but you must be realistic. Remember to follow the treatment advice from your loved one’s primary care physician, and refrain from setting unattainable goals. For example, you may be able to reduce tremors, but drooling and speech problems may be more difficult to alleviate. Continue doing your best, and remain realistic to prevent disappointment.
Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Winnipeg seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.

Attend Caregiver Support Groups

While caring for your loved one, you may push your mental and emotional needs to the side, which could lead to caregiver burnout. However, attending a support group for Parkinson’s caregivers can provide the emotional support you need. At these group sessions, you can interact with other caregivers who have gone through similar situations, and they can provide you with tips to ease the challenges you experience each day. Merely sharing your stories with other caregivers can enhance your mood and allow you to return to the role with a clearer perspective.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a Winnipeg homecare services agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. To create a customized Parkinson’s home care plan for your loved one, call (204) 489-6000 today.