Caring For Your Loved One With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that slowly causes a person to slowly lose control of their bodies. Watching a loved one suffer through this disease can be difficult, but the love and support you can provide your family member can help them to enjoy a better quality of life. If you are able to make the financial and emotional commitment to caring for a person with Parkinson's, here are a few things to keep in mind as you prepare to transition to the new role of caregiver.

You Will Get Tired

Caring for a person with Parkinson's is a full-time job, and the job duties only become more difficult as the disease progresses. In addition to driving your loved one to doctor's appointments, picking up groceries and prescriptions and cooking and cleaning, you'll have to help with basic everyday living skills. This could include anything from assistance with toileting and personal hygiene to cutting food into bite-sized portions. Over time, all this work can wear you out. Caregiver fatigue is a real thing you'll need to be prepared for. Remember to schedule time for yourself so you can get a few hours of much-needed rest every week.

You Can Arrange For Home Care Assistance

At-home healthcare services can help to alleviate some of the burden of caregiving. At-home nurses can provide routine checkups and perform blood draws, saving you from more trips to the doctor every month. These healthcare assistants can also help with daily living tasks, such as folding the laundry and doing some light grocery shopping. Perhaps most important of all for your loved one, time with an at-home healthcare assistant provides the opportunity for building friendships with new people.

For more information, contact a home healthcare provider such as Always Dependable.

You'll Need To Rearrange Your Home

As Parkinson's progresses, your loved one will begin to lose more and more motor control. This can lead to the need for a walker or wheelchair to get around the house, so you'll need to think of ways to arrange your home so it is accessible. You may want to replace the bed in your guest bedroom with an power adjustable bed, as this can help your family member get in and out of bed a little more independently. Other considerations might be smaller, such as purchasing adaptive silverware with large handles for easier gripping. Talk to your medical team to learn about different ways you can adapt your home to meet your loved one's needs.

Parkinson's is a difficult thing to deal with as a caregiver, both emotionally and physically. Remember to work closely with your team of doctors, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Very few people can handle all the stress and physical demands of caring full time for someone with this disease.

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