Caring for Your Loved One Living with Parkinson's

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s is a chronic, progressive neurological condition that affects both the motor system and non-motor systems, meaning it causes problems in the brain and worsens over time. It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with around 10 million people diagnosed with the condition. In the UK, around 153,000 people are living with Parkinson’s.

What to look out for

Most people start developing symptoms when over the age of 50. There are three main symptoms to look out for, and we would always recommend seeing your GP as soon as possible if you are worried about yourself or a loved one:

• Tremors/shaking
• Slow movement
• Stiff and inflexible muscles

Other symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Sleeping loss
• Memory loss
• Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression

What to remember when supporting a loved one living with Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s can be a daunting diagnosis for you, as well as the person living with it. Learning more about it will help you to provide the best possible support, as well as meaning you understand what is happening and how it is likely to progress.

Keep regular appointments with your doctor

Finding the correct dosage and combination of medication can be difficult, because the condition can differ so much from person to person. Having a good relationship with your GP is vital, as the more familiar they are with you, the more they will understand your experience and can help you manage your symptoms.

Managing Parkinson’s is about more than medication

Parkinson’s UK say that regular exercise can help slow symptoms, and they recommend an average of 2.5 hours per week, or a 30-minute session 5 times per week. Make sure your family member looks after their mental health by continuing to take part in activities they enjoy. A healthy diet is also important.

Emotional Support is just as important as managing physical symptoms

It is not uncommon for Parkinson’s to have an impact on mental and emotional health, with anxiety and depression going hand in hand with memory loss and insomnia. Providing emotional support to somebody who is struggling with their mental health can be hard, but there is plenty of advice available through the NHS to help and guide you.

Find someone to talk to

Local support groups for people who are caring for somebody with Parkinson’s can be a great source of support, reassurance and advice, and a safe space for you to share your thoughts with others in a similar situation. Here at Right at Home Eastbourne and Bexhill, our CareGivers can offer practical help to alleviate some of the pressure on you.

Look after yourself

Caring for a loved one is a full-time responsibility, often without breaks. A respite carer can look after your loved one while you take time off to rest, reconnect with friends and family, or enjoy an activity you have not had time for. There are many respite options available; your GP will be able to direct you to services in your area.

How Right at Home Eastbourne and Bexhill can help

We understand that caring for a family member can be a huge responsibility that can put a strain on the best of relationships. We can help alleviate some of the pressure by offering:

Personalised care plans

Every client is individually assessed so that we can learn as much as possible about their wishes, preferences, and needs. Based on this, we write a care plan for the carers to follow, and which can also be shared with family or friends where appropriate. We review the care plans continuously to make sure we are always aware when the client’s needs change or they wish to alter their routine. We match our carers to the clients based on personality, common interests, and expertise.

Emotional support

We provide support for both clients and their next of kin who are coming to terms with a diagnosis and help them to understand and manage the effects it may have on their independence.

Medication assistance

We assist with GP appointments and ordering and picking up medication, as well as prompting to take or administering medication.

Home help and Personal care

Everyday household tasks that your loved one may be struggling with, such as cleaning, shopping, and food preparation, is all part of our service. We also offer help with personal care when symptoms become worse and affect things like washing, toileting and getting dressed.

Companionship

It is important to continue enjoying hobbies and activities as much as possible. We assist clients who need help when things are becoming too difficult for them to manage by themselves, either at home or out in the community.

Our CareGivers understand the unique physical, mental, and emotional challenges faced by those with Parkinson’s. Many people who live with Parkinson’s can have a normal life expectancy thanks to advances in treatment. While there is no core, at Right at Home Eastbourne and Bexhill we know that support is vital and can help people live their best possible life.

To find out more about how we can help, please contact us on 01323 414 658 to speak to our team or click here to request a callback.