Being the caregiver of someone with Parkinson’s disease
If you are new to the concept of caring for someone with this progressive disease it’s good to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, should you be new and if you are caring for a loved one. With the changes in lifestyle which are needed, you have two main responsibilities which are of utmost importance. The first one of course is the care, and know how to give care to the person inflicted with the illness. The second one, is to ensure that you as the caregiver have the quality of life and the support required.
It’s not an easy change, however living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as caring for someone with the illness does in no way mean the end of life.
How the disease shows up is different in each case, and as a caregiver you will of course need to do research and educate yourself on the subject. The intensity of symptoms also tend to very much from day to day, and these type of waves require flexibility, in plans and living.
As a caregiver and an outside perspective to the ill person, you also have a much better view of the progression of the disease, and a decline or change in the motoric functions is most likely noticed from the outside first. This means that you will need to keep a close eye on your loved one as to be able to detect these sometimes subtle changes for the worse.
There is also a strong physical side in giving care to someone with Parkinson’s disease, and especially as the disease progresses, as the ill person may require help in daily activities such as taking a bath, going to the bathroom and so forth. Being aware and ensuring that you have the right tools to help you with these things is also something which requires time and effort, however will prove invaluable aids for you and your loved one.