Steps on Being a Caregiver for a Senior with Parkinson’s Disease

Posted: 1/31/2018 4:02 PM by Interim HealthCare

Steps on Being a Caregiver for a Senior with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra. Symptoms generally develop slowly over years, and include tremors, slowness of movement, limb rigidity, gait and balance problems. This illness is common in seniors and be managed well with the help of a caregiver.

As a caregiver who is providing care for a loved one with Parkinson’s Disease there are many tasks and trials you will need to be prepared for. But before a caregiver attempts to provide care, there are a couple steps one must do first to better prepare themselves.

Education – Learn everything you can about Parkinson’s disease. Having a deep understanding of the disease including conditions, its progression, symptoms and challenges of the disease will best prepare you to provide care.

Emotional Care – Discovering that your loved one is suffering from Parkinson’s disease is not an easy pill to swallow and will take some time to process the information. This is ok, take time to full understand the situation and help your loved one work through their emotions. Once both you and your loved one have come to terms with your situation, then you can move forward and best live a high quality of life while managing the disease.

Ask for Help – There is no shame is asking for support for both yourself as a caregiver and for your parent. Having additional help will benefit both you and your parent and make managing a life with Parkinson’s disease an easier task. Interim HealthCare offers in-home care services that can provide professional skilled help both parties need.

At Interim HealthCare we recommend starting elderly care for your parent as early in their journey with the disease as possible. This gives them the opportunity to grow accustomed not just to the elderly home care services provider, but also to the need to receive care. This lets them feel more comfortable and be more cooperative throughout their progression while also preparing them for the changes that will come as their disease moves ahead.