Every April, the staff and caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care, serving Boston Northwest, recognize Parkinson’s Awareness Month. As active members of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and as an agency that has helped many families affected by Parkinson’s, we would like to recognize family caregivers who are helping a loved one with Parkinson’s disease and offer them a word of encouragement, along with a few helpful tips to help them along their caregiving journey.
We understand the challenges you experience as a family caregiver for a loved one with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, and as time passes, the physical and mental demands a caregiver faces can be overwhelming. Without the benefits of specialized training, family caregivers have to learn about medications, exercises, mobility challenges, and other facets of helping a family member deal with this disease.
To help make life a little easier, we would like to share these six tips with family caregivers helping a loved one live a quality life at home with Parkinson’s disease:
Take time for yourself
Make sure you rest, relax, and recover when you need it. If you can, enlist the help of family members to relieve you or let us help occasionally with respite care.
Learn as much as you can about Parkinson’s
The more you understand Parkinson’s, the better you can help your loved one as the disease progresses. Knowing what changes to expect in their behavior or symptoms can help you be prepared to confidently meet their changing needs.
Let your loved one participate
Though it’s tempting and sometimes makes life easier for you, don’t try to do everything for your loved one. Instead, give them time to complete daily activities on their own, such as bathing, grooming, and dressing.
Talk with your loved ones about their family affairs
Though these are not easy discussions, you should be informed of your family member’s wishes concerning a living will, durable power of attorney, and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order.
Don’t put your life on hold
Having a support group is vital for your overall well-being. Stay connected with friends, remain active with hobbies or groups you belong to, and maintain as regular a schedule as possible. You’ll feel more energized and less likely to feel resentful.
Have someone you can talk to
Caregivers for loved ones with Parkinson’s spend a large portion of their life supporting someone else, but they also need support. Talk openly and honestly with a trusted friend or family member about your experiences, or find a Parkinson’s caregiver support group in Massachusetts here.
We’re Here For You
Parkinson’s Care from Assisting Hands Home Care serving Boston Northwest uses a team approach when helping families dealing with Parkinson’s disease. The care our caregivers and Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs) provide is coordinated with the doctors, neurologists, nurses, social workers, therapists, family members, and others involved in our client’s healthcare needs.
In honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we’re helping to raise funds for the MA Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association through their Optimism Walk that is going to be held on May 22nd. Click here to show your support and learn how you can join our team!
As a family caregiver, you are an everyday hero. Our mission is to support you and improve the quality of life for your loved one and your family. Contact us today and let us know how we can help. We’re here for you if you need us a few hours a day, around the clock, or anything in between.
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