Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, which means symptoms develop over time and get progressively worse. Individuals with advanced Parkinson’s require safe and effective care at all times. But when is the right time to consider professional care?
There are benefits to remaining at home with Parkinson’s for as long as possible. Today, we’ll explore your options and the best time to consider care options.
What Is Parkinson’s Care?
When someone you love receives a Parkinson’s diagnosis, it’s common for questions to follow. Symptoms will gradually start making everyday tasks more challenging, and families often have to navigate unfamiliar caring responsibilities.
Parkinson’s care offers compassionate support and daily assistance to individuals experiencing symptoms. Home care allows your loved one to stay in familiar surroundings while receiving expert care tailored to their evolving needs.
With the right level of Parkinson’s care, most individuals can manage their symptoms at home while maintaining routines and seeing loved ones regularly. Parkinson’s care at home can boost quality of life.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s is a neurological condition that affects movement, balance and coordination. Symptoms often develop gradually, starting with mild tremors or muscle stiffness, and progressing to affect speech, movement and daily activities.
Parkinson’s UK reports that around 166,000 people are currently living with Parkinson’s in the UK alone, with someone diagnosed with the condition every 20 minutes. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, but with the correct medication, therapies and specialist care, many people can continue living well at home.
When to Consider Live-In Parkinson’s Care
As your loved one’s Parkinson’s symptoms progress, their need for care will also increase.
Signs that your loved one may need additional support in daily life include:
- Frequent falls or mobility difficulties
- Increased Parkinson’s-related fatigue getting in the way of daily activities
- Missed or forgotten medication dosages
- Confusion or wandering, often getting worse at night
- Family carer fatigue or burnout
Live-in Parkinson’s care ensures that your loved one always has support on hand, should they need it day or night. 24/7 care helps them remain at home for longer, with confidence, safety and support.
How Parkinson’s Carers Can Help With Symptoms
Parkinson’s can affect every part of daily life, especially as symptoms progress. Professional live-in carers can support your loved one in a variety of ways, depending on their specific challenges.
These include:
- Mobility support: Stiff muscles and slowed movements can increase fall risk, so carers can assist with safe transfers and support independent movement.
- Medication and symptom management: Medication needs to be taken on a strict schedule to effectively manage Parkinson’s symptoms, so carers can monitor symptoms and medication to ensure it’s working properly.
- Daily routines: Symptoms can make self-care more difficult, but a carer can provide sensitive assistance to maintain comfort and dignity.
- Sleep disturbances: Common symptoms of Parkinson’s include insomnia, vivid dreams and restlessness. A carer can help everyone sleep better through the night.
- Emotional support: Living with a chronic condition can cause anxiety and low mood, so carers can provide steady companionship and emotional support.
Parkinson’s Home Care Options
Every person with Parkinson’s is unique, so different care options will suit certain cases more than others. Your loved one’s care plan should highlight their individual needs, preferences and future prognosis.
Country Cousins offers a range of home care services for individuals with Parkinson’s, including ongoing, complex live-in care and flexible short-term support for families.
Live-In Care
A live-in Parkinson’s carer will move into your loved one’s home so they can provide round-the-clock support and assistance. They’ll spend most of the day with your loved one, so they will be on hand to respond to freezing episodes, mobility issues and offer medication reminders.
Live-in care is one of the most effective ways to ensure your loved one receives a sufficient amount of companionship and emotional support. This can be extended to the entire family, with our live-in carers helping not only our clients but also their loved ones.
Respite Care
Respite care is a short-term support option designed to offer relief for families who usually provide the majority of care services. Primary carers can tend to other responsibilities or go on holiday without worrying that their loved ones are without support at home.
Respite care often spans days or weeks for a one-time break. It can also be used as a test period for long-term live-in care, which can be beneficial if you or your loved one is concerned about getting along with a professional carer.
Palliative Care
As Parkinson’s advances, comfort and pain management become a priority. Palliative care focuses on symptom control, pain management and emotional support for them and their loved ones.
Palliative care isn’t the same as end-of-life care, but it can progress into the latter as symptoms become more challenging. Already having live-in palliative care in place can make this adjustment easier for the whole family.
Benefits of Parkinson’s Care at Home
The ability to remain at home while living with Parkinson’s provides continuity, comfort and familiarity.
Parkinson’s home carers provide plenty of benefits, including:
- Improved safety: A professional carer can provide reliable mobility support and monitoring, reducing the risk of falls and hospital admissions.
- Reliable medication reminders: Individuals with Parkinson’s frequently forget medication, which can exacerbate symptoms.
- Assistance with daily routines: Carers can help with tasks such as dressing, bathing, cooking, and maintaining routines to minimise disruptions as much as possible.
- Constant companionship: People with Parkinson’s may experience social isolation and increased loneliness, which a live-in carer can help alleviate.
- Relief for loved ones: Family and friends can rest assured that their loved one is safe at home, being cared for by a professional with experience in Parkinson’s care.
- Maintained independence and dignity: Live-in home care provides one-on-one assistance, allowing individuals to live life on their own terms with more autonomy.
Is Home Care Possible for Advanced Parkinson’s?
Some families are concerned about the validity of home care for Parkinson’s, especially when symptoms progress to advanced stages. However, in most cases, home care is more than possible when the correct services are available.
Consider the following factors when choosing between home care and a care facility:
- Do you have the capacity for a carer at home?
Live-in carers require a private bedroom in the home of the individual with Parkinson’s, along with basic amenities such as a bathroom, washing facilities and sufficient space. They will need this space for the duration of their stay, so make sure you have room to keep everyone comfortable.
- Is the home safe for progressing Parkinson’s symptoms?
Home adaptations are essential for people living at home with Parkinson’s, so consider whether your loved one has the space for things like a stair lift, walker, wheelchair, bedside commode and other medical equipment required.
- Can your loved one live on just one level?
The home environment should be safe and supportive to maximise your loved one’s independence. Consider whether you can make structural changes, such as adding ramps or handrails, to ensure they can safely reach the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
- What does your loved one want to do?
One of the most important things to do when considering Parkinson’s care is to ask the individual experiencing symptoms what they think. Most people will want to remain at home for as long as possible, so you’ll need to make arrangements to accommodate this.
A professional home carer can spend time with your loved ones to provide companionship, along with meals, assistance with daily routines, housekeeping, transportation and more.
Talk to Our Team Today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.
Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
