Overcoming Parkinson's - A Handy Checklist for Caregivers

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a disorder that affects the nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as coordination issues, tremors, and aches and pains. This neurological disease is the result of the degeneration of dopamine-producing receptors and mainly affects movement. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Parkinson’s; however, there are ways to manage its symptoms for seniors who are struggling. As a caregiver, your main goal is to ensure that your aging parent has the comfort and care that they deserve. One of the ways you can provide much needed assistance to your loved one is by providing home care.
A personal support worker can be the key to improving your senior’s quality of life. When you need a hand with daily tasks, medication management, or even a companion for your senior—live-in elder care can lift some weight off your shoulders. If you want to learn more about what you can do to help your senior overcome the challenges of Parkinson’s disease, read our checklist of strategies and tips that can help make a difference.

How to Help Your Senior Manage Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s can create challenges in areas of your life that used to be simple. Daily tasks such as eating, bathing, and getting dressed become difficult without assistance. However, with the proper support, you can help your senior manage their Parkinson’s symptoms. Here are a few key tips that you can check off your list to help your aging parent cope with PD.

• Create a support system: When facing any illness, it is important to have a support system in place for your senior. This can be an elder care aide or members of your family that are available for your senior to lean on for emotional support.
• Get educated: Although there is no cure for PD, it is a good idea to always stay up-to-date on the changes that happen as more studies emerge. This will be beneficial to providing the most current care available. Remember that  April is Parkinson's Awareness Month.
• Manage medications: There are various medications used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s. To help maintain your senior’s quality of life, it is best to create a medication routine with times and dosages set in a pill planner.
• Implement an exercise plan: To improve mobility and maintain a healthy lifestyle, include physical activity in your aging parent’s day. This can look like physical therapy sessions or light workouts such as yoga, Tai Chi, or walking.
• Hire a home care assistant: Hiring a home care worker is the support your senior may need. A personal care assistant can help by providing companionship, healthy meal plans, help with grocery shopping, planning PT/medical appointments—and assistance with the many challenges your loved one may face.

4 Ways to Provide Help to Your Senior Struggling with Parkinson’s

Any illness is a struggle, especially for seniors who face a host of other age-related challenges. Parkinson’s disease means more medical care, decreased mobility, and difficulty with stiffness and pain. This disorder can result in not only physical distress but emotional distress as well. If you are searching for ways to help your senior with Parkinson’s, here are four ways to help them combat this disease.

• Help with stress: It is important to provide support to your senior in trying times, but it is especially necessary when faced with a debilitating disease. You can help your loved ones relieve stress by simply offering your emotional support and reassurance in trying times.
• Plan out the day: Planning the itinerary for your senior’s day can help provide a timeline for all the activities. This also helps your aging parent prepare for the activities in their day, from medical appointments to family outings.
• Modify the home: Adding safety modifications to your home will provide peace of mind and keep your senior safe as they navigate daily living with Parkinson’s.
• Encourage activity: Increased physical activity can benefit your senior who is facing PD. Frequent exercise has been linked to improving mobility, reducing stress, and boosting moods.

Coping with Parkinson’s Disease — Let us Provide Personal Care Assistance

The best way to overcome Parkinson’s disease is to tailor a care plan that works for your senior. This can look like creating schedules for them, introducing an exercise plan, and providing a strong support system. With our trained elder care experts, you can find assistance in facing the challenges of PD. Home Instead Newmarket, Aurora offers professional home care services tailored to your family’s needs. We provide highly trained personal care support workers that can attend to your senior’s care. Our services include companionship, cooking healthy meals, attending medical appointments, nursing help, and more. If your aging parent is having challenges coping with Parkinson's disease, light housekeeping, respite care, our team can help. Connect with us to learn more about the services we can offer you.

Call us at (905) 235-7130 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver every day to families in Newmarket, Aurora, Baldwin, Beaverton, Bradford, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Cannington Brock, Ceder Valley, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Holland Landing, Jacksons Point, Keswick, Kettleby, King, Leaskdale, Mt Albert, Pefferlaw, Queensville, River Drive Park, Sanford, Sharon, Stouffville, Sunderland, Sutton West, Udora, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Willow Beach, Zephyr.

Additional Important information

Our In-home Care Services: We offer dependable, compassionate elderly in-home care services that can help people at any point within the aging process. We’ll work with you to develop a personalized care plan tailored to help fit your family’s needs.

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Service Area

The office of Home Instead in Newmarket, Aurora services the following areas: Newmarket, Aurora, Baldwin, Beaverton, Bradford, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Cannington Brock, Ceder Valley, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Holland Landing, Jacksons Point, Keswick, Kettleby, King, Leaskdale, Mt Albert, Pefferlaw, Queensville, River Drive Park, Sanford, Sharon, Stouffville, Sunderland, Sutton West, Udora, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Willow Beach, Zephyr