Tips on caring for someone with Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a very individual condition. Each person will react differently in terms of the symptoms they experience, their response to the medication and how the disorder progresses. The following tips may help you to cope:
- Educate yourself about Parkinson’s. This will help you and the person you are caring for make informed choices about care and treatment. Understanding as much as you are able will ensure that you get the most from visits to healthcare professionals. If you are fully aware of the needs of the person you care for and the possible progression of Parkinson’s, you will be better able to anticipate changes and be equipped to deal with them. Being proactive in planning ahead and anticipating change will help you stay in control
- Be sure that you understand what medications the person you are caring for are taking and how they are administered. Your healthcare professional may be able to provide you with a medications chart; this can be a very useful tool to ensure that medications are taken correctly and on time. Also, talk to your doctor or Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist about how doses can be altered to cope with unusual or extreme situations, such as travel or sickness
For more information on medications see the PD Medication section or the EPDA website's Medical and Surgical Information pages.
- Encourage the person you care for to be as independent and as positive as they can – this will promote emotional and physical well-being and improve their self-esteem.
Did you know?
The average consultation time in Europe is just 12 minutes. So you really need to be well prepared to ensure you get the most out of your appointment. Write a list of points you wish to discuss to avoid forgetting anything.
