Caring for Loved Ones With Parkinson’s Disease

Caring for Loved Ones With Parkinson’s Disease

Objectives• Overview of Parkinson’s Disease• Symptoms of PD• Keys to Caregiving• Caregiving Tips

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

What is it?

•Chronic and progressive movement disorder•Involves the malfunction/death of vital nerve cells in the brain

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Who’s affected?

•Nearly one million people in the US live with PD•Approximately 50,000 Americans are diagnosed each year•More likely to affect men•Incidence increases with age

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

What’s the cause?

•Environmental Factors– Environmental toxin – Traumatic brain injury

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

What’s the cause?

•Genetic Factors– Not directly inherited

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

What are the symptoms?Primary Motor Symptoms

•tremor - hands, arms, legs, jaw and face •bradykinesia - slowness of movement •rigidity - stiffness of the limbs and trunk •postural instability - impaired balance/coordination

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

What are the symptoms?

Secondary Motor Symptoms•Freezing•Stooped posture•Speech problems•Difficulty swallowing

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

What are the symptoms?

Non-Motor Symptoms

•Loss of sense of smell•Sleep disorder•Mood disorder

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Keys to Caregiving

•Be educated

•Understand PD is unpredictable

•Manage the disease

•Acknowledge feelingsThe information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Keys to Caregiving

Educate Yourself

•PD is complicated

•Symptoms and challenges vary greatly

•It is a progressive illness

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Keys to Caregiving

Understand PD is Unpredictable

•Symptoms of severity can vary throughout the day.

•Proper medical management is key to keeping the most predictable response to treatment.

•Report abrupt changes in a person’s ability to move.The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Keys to Caregiving

Managing the Disease

•Obtain any adaptive equipment or clothing needed.

•Document any noticeable changes in your loved one.

•Modify any areas you need to within the home to promote safety.

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Keys to Caregiving

Acknowledge your Feelings

•Avoid acting on emotions with unconstructive behaviors.

•Talk to someone about what you are feeling.

•Join support groups.The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Basic Caregiving Tips•Learn when to help and when not to.

•Allow time for your loved one to do things for themselves, even if it takes longer.

•Good communication is very important.

•Watch for signs of depression.

•Encourage exercise.

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

How to Cope with Freezing

•Management method (STOP, THINK, PLAN, DO)•Weight shift method•Sound and vision methods•Floor strips

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

How to Cope with Difficulty Swallowing

•Sit person upright and tilt head forward.

•Cut food into small bites and encourage small sips of liquid.

•If they tire while eating, serve smaller meals more often.

•Serve well-cooked, smoother textured food and more tender cuts of meat.

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

How to Cope with Tremors

•Hold the affected limb in a variety of positions

•Have your loved one hold on to something

•Press the upper arm against the body

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

General Meal Planning Tips

•Eat a nutritionally balanced diet (plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)

•Reduce sugar intake

•Reduce sodium intake

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Special Challenges of Caring for Someone with PD

•Incidence and severity of PD symptoms varies •Takes time and ongoing education to learn the multiple symptoms of PD and somewhat complicated medication regimes

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Resources•National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (www.ninds.nih.gov)•National Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinson.org)•Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (www.pdf.org)•Home Helpers Caregiver Training Curriculum

The information contained on these pages is of a general nature and intended to provide a public information service.

The information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a medical care provider. 

Questions?

Home Helpers:Home Helpers:Debbie Humphrey, PresidentDebbie Humphrey, President

www.TarponSpringsHomeCare.com