A Caregiver’s Guide to Parkinson’s Disease

By Greg Bechard
Owner of Home Instead Guelph, Cambridge, Caledon, Orangeville

If your parent or a loved one is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease (PD), you may be anxious that your world is about to change overnight. But with the right support and knowledge, you can help them have a happy life, and you can be an efficient, loving caregiver.

Yes, there will be challenges to overcome, and there may be symptoms that impact their daily routines. But it is important to remember that PD shouldn’t define who they are or limit what they can achieve. In fact, many people with Parkinson’s Disease can lead fulfilling and independent lives without significant assistance.

Managing Parkinson’s Disease

While each person’s experience with Parkinson’s is unique, everyone who is struggling with symptoms can benefit from having a caregiver who understands their specific needs and is able to provide support when necessary. If you are planning to be a caregiver for someone struggling with PD, the first step is to learn the effective strategies that are necessary for providing the best care possible. The more you know, the more empowered you will be to ensure that your loved ones can continue living an active and fulfilling life.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that is characterized by the loss of dopamine producing cells in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is essential for the normal function of muscles. As the disease progresses, the brain gradually produces less dopamine, resulting in difficulties controlling muscle movements and the appearance of other motor and non-motor symptoms.

What are the Common Symptoms of Parkinson's?

Parkinson’s Disease is a highly individualized condition, which means that no two people will have the exact same experience. While the symptoms and progression of the disease can differ from person to person, it is common to experience some or all of these motor symptoms.

• Tremors: Involuntary shaking that usually starts in the hands before progressing to other body parts.
• Rigidity: Muscle stiffness in the arms, legs, or neck.
• Bradykinesia: Inability to move quickly or make coordinated movements.
• Balance Issues: Difficulties with walking or an unsteady gait.

While Parkinson's Disease is primarily known as a movement disorder, many individuals encounter non-motor symptoms that can negatively impact their quality of life. Managing these symptoms may require in-home support from family members or professional caregivers. Non-motor symptoms that occur as a result of PD include:

• Mental Health Challenges: Depression, anxiety, and a lack of motivation are commonly observed among individuals with PD.
• Cognitive Issues: As PD progresses, individuals may start to suffer from memory problems, difficulties with thinking, and impaired problem-solving abilities.
• Hallucinations and Delusions: Visual hallucinations and other delusions may occur in advanced cases of PD.
• GI Distress: Reduced muscle strength can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as constipation or gastroparesis.
• Incontinence: Loss of bladder and/or bowel function can occur due to the impact of PD on the nervous system.
• Low Blood Pressure: Orthostatic hypotension, characterized by a drop in blood pressure upon standing, can result in dizziness and lightheadedness.
• Sleep Disturbances: Individuals with PD may have trouble sleeping and experience insomnia, a fragmented sleep schedule, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Daily Care for Seniors with Parkinson's – Caregiver Checklist

As a caregiver, your tasks and responsibilities can differ based on your senior’s needs and the progression of their symptoms. Some days, you may need to help with daily activities such as bathing and exercise. On other occasions, your assistance may take the form of emotional support or helping them manage their schedules. To help you care for your senior, the professional caregivers at Home Instead created the following checklist that can help you stay organized and provide the best care possible.

• Personal hygiene: Practicing self-care is essential for mental wellbeing. Help your senior accomplish activities like bathing, grooming, and dental hygiene if they can no longer do so themselves.
• Mobility support: With the proper tools and techniques, your senior can continue doing the things that they love. By helping with mobility, walking, and using assistive devices, when necessary, you can help them maintain their independence.
• Toileting: Some symptoms of PD include GI distress and incontinence. It may be necessary to assist your senior with toileting if they experience these issues.
• •Managing medications: Some medications have specific instructions that improve their efficacy. You can help manage your seniors’ symptoms by ensuring that they are taking their medicine at the right time, with the appropriate foods, and taking note of any side effects they experience.
• Emotional support: Managing PD can be a stressful and confusing time. You can help your senior tremendously by being a friendly face and providing reassurance, encouragement, and an outlet for their concerns.
• Medical appointments: Scheduling and managing appointments is vital to successfully managing PD. Your senior may need help staying organized and require transportation to these appointments.
• Documenting symptoms and behavior: Keeping a record of any new or worsening symptoms can help your senior’s healthcare professionals maximize the effectiveness of their treatment plans.
• Seek support from family and friends: Sometimes, being an effective caregiver is more than a full-time job. Building a support network of friends and family can not only brighten the mood of your senior but also ensure that you avoid caretaker burnout.

Activities and Exercises for Parkinson's Patients

Encouraging your senior to stay active and engaged in regular exercise is crucial for managing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Studies have shown that exercise can be highly beneficial in addressing physical challenges like walking, balancing, reduced strength, and loss of muscle coordination. But the benefits of staying active do not stop there. Exercise also improves many of the non-motor symptoms associated with PD.

Experts recommend incorporating the following exercises into your routine to maximize the potential benefits:

• Aerobic Activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of continuous or intermittent activity, three days a week. Options include brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, or joining an aerobics class.
• Strength Training: Dedicate 40 minutes, two to three non-consecutive days a week, to exercises targeting major muscle groups. You can use weight machines, resistance bands, or your own body weight for these exercises.
• Balance and Agility: Allocate two to three days a week for balance and agility exercises. Activities that have been found to be effective include multi-directional stepping, yoga, Tai Chi, dancing, and boxing.
• Stretching: Perform stretching exercises daily to improve flexibility and manage pain. Focus on sustained stretches, accompanied by deep breathing. It's beneficial to stretch both before and after exercise sessions.

*To ensure your senior’s safety, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist before beginning any new exercises or activities. 

Diet and Nutrition Ideas for Parkinson's Patients

Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is important for individuals living with Parkinson's Disease. While there isn't a prescriptive diet that can cure PD, eating nutritious foods can improve your seniors' overall well-being and may help alleviate some symptoms. When creating a nutrition plan for a senior living with PD, consider implementing the following strategies:

• Focus on whole foods: Protein-rich foods, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains are easier to digest than processed foods and contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for important bodily functions.
• Include fiber rich foods: Vegetables and whole grains contain fiber, which is a natural way to promote bowel movements and avoid constipation.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day can ease digestion difficulties and avoid side effects from medications that cause dehydration.
• Limit sugar, caffeine, and alcohol intake: These ingredients can increase inflammation in the body and have the potential to interfere with certain medications.

* Before making changes to your senior's diet, it's important to talk to their healthcare team first. They can help design a nutrition plan that meets their specific health needs.

Adapting Your Home for a Senior Living with Parkinson's

Creating a safe and accommodating home environment is a great way to help your senior maintain their independence and improve their overall quality of life. The good news is that modifying the living space doesn't have to be difficult or expensive.  Consider implementing the following strategies to create a Parkinson's-friendly home:

• Practice fire safety: Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly in every area of your home. Avoid fire hazards like space heaters and electric blankets.
• Make communication easy: Always keep a phone within easy reach of your senior. Some companies sell phones with oversized buttons that make dialing easier for those experiencing weakness and tremors.
• Use adaptive products: Consult therapists for advice on devices that can help with daily activities. Examples include pen grips for easier writing, electronic tools, and mobility aids like canes or walkers.
• Plan for limited mobility: Install handrails in hallways and stairwells to protect your senior from falls. Rearranging furniture is also helpful for creating a space that can be easily navigated.
• Optimize your kitchen: Organize commonly used food and drinks to be within reach. Consider moving foods to easy-to-open containers and buying utensils that are comfortable for your senior to hold.
• Make your bathroom safe: Bathrooms can be a dangerous place for seniors with limited strength, and balance issues. Installing grab bars near the shower and toilet can provide added stability and support. Consider using a shower chair or bench to make bathing easier.

Professional Parkinson’s Care from Experienced Elder Care Providers

If managing the symptoms of your senior’s Parkinson’s Disease becomes too difficult to handle, seeking the help of a professional caregiver can provide you with valuable assistance and support. The expert team at Home Instead Guelph, ON offers specialized Parkinson's care tailored to your senior's unique needs. Our professional caregivers can help with medication reminders, personal care assistance in the form of live-in care, mobility help, bathing assistance, cooking assistance, companionship, senior safety,  and other home care service options. With Home Instead, you can have peace of mind knowing that your senior is in capable and compassionate hands. To learn more about our services, contact us today

Call us at (226) 486-2407 to schedule a no-obligation, in-home consultation. Learn more about the compassionate, quality senior care we deliver daily to families in Guelph, Hillsburgh, Orton, Erin, Inglewood, Rockwood, Cambridge, North Dumfries, Puslinch, Moffat, Eden Mills, Ariss, Orangeville.