Caregiving Tips for Parkinson's Disease

Losing a loved one especially after a long period of caregiving can be distressing and leave you with a range of different and conflicting emotions. This article by PDMDS suggests six ways to deal with grief and loss.   Losing someone close to you is extremely distressing. That loss also signifies the end of your caregiver role which may create feelings of emptiness. How you cope with the demise of the person you cared for is a very personal thing. Remember, there is no right or wrong…

It is important to be aware of the Multidisciplinary Team of Health Care Professionals who play an integral role in the care and treatment of people with Parkinson’s as well as their caregivers. These professionals offer support and practical tips in those areas which you as a caregiver find difficult to manage and this also aids in an improvement in quality of life. Neurologist- Is a medical practitioner, who is licensed to make a diagnosis of PD (and other neurological conditions) following a…

Falls are probably the number one cause of injuries in seniors resulting in high medical and rehabilitative costs. Porrselvi A.P. a cognitive and psychosocial interventions specialist, offers valuable tips and suggestions for preventing falls at home, from installing handrails and anti-skid mats to decluttering the house and wearing sturdy footwear. Falls can lead to avoidable hospital admissions and the associated complications for elderly with a good health status as well as those older…

There are several Government provisions/ benefits available for People with Parkinson’s, which could be related to public transport, income tax etc. These various benefits are offered by the Government under the appropriate legislation To avail of any of the concessions offered by the Government, the first step one needs to take is to get a ‘Disability Certificate’. What is a Disability Certificate? A Disability Certificate is a document issued to a person with some form of disability, which…

From popping pills for Parkinson's Disease every 2 hours and dealing with various side effects of these pills, Hari has turned his life around and chose to focus on his passions for travel and spreading awareness on PD. Read on. I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2008. Currently after the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, I seem to have recovered almost 95%. Earlier I used to pop pills every two hours. My consumption of medicines has now come down to at the most one per day. What…

Dr. Pettarusp Wadia Consultant Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai weighs in on when Deep Brain Stimulation treatment for Parkinson's Disease is a recommended choice and what factors you should consider before making a decision.  Deep Brain Stimulation(DBS) in Parkinson's disease is recommended when  The patient has a confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease – fits UKPDS brain bank criteria The patient…

Being involved in the care of a loved one with Parkinson’s can have its own set of challenges. Often, during the course of taking care of a family member, one may forget to pay attention to one’s own health, needs and feelings. 7 tips for caregivers to look after their own health and overcome caregiver burden.  Your Emotional Heath During the course of care giving many caregivers experience a range of feelings such as anger, sadness, frustration, guilt and pain. Having all of these…

Due to Parkinson’s and its symptoms, PWPs may experience certain emotional and behavioural disturbances that can be difficult to manage. These are a few of them: Anger & Stubbornness  PWPs may feel angry due to the symptoms of Parkinson’s as well as a sense of dependency that it might generate. Take for example the difficulty in doing activities that were previously done with ease such as walking, cooking, bathing, and talking etc can bring about a lot of frustration in the person with…

A caregiver is someone who lives with, regularly helps or looks after a person with Parkinson’s and is directly involved in his/her care and well being. The following section focuses on the various aspects of this role. Dealing with the Diagnosis and how you can help A diagnosis of Parkinson’s can be a life changing event not only for the person who is diagnosed but for family and friends as well. Initial reaction to the diagnosis can be of shock, denial, sadness, fear, anger and even guilt.…

As Parkinson’s progresses, your symptoms might also change. Your current symptoms might become more severe, and new symptoms might also develop. You may feel that the medication may not be as effective in controlling the symptoms as they were before as a result you may find that you require help from others to do your routine activities like dressing, eating, bathing etc. Certain symptoms like poor balance, difficulty walking and fear of falling may prevent you from being able to leave our…