Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease comes with emotional, physical, and logistical challenges. As we’ve discussed in this month’s two previous blogs, this neurodegenerative disorder affects movement, balance, and even mood and memory. As a patient’s symptoms evolve, having a detailed and flexible Parkinson’s disease (PD) care plan becomes essential, not just to support the person who has Parkinson’s, but to help their caregiver stay grounded, organized, and prepared.
Key Takeaways
- Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that has motor and non-motor symptoms.
- A care plan should evolve with your loved one’s or the patient’s needs.
- Safety, daily routines, emotional support, and long-term planning are critical components.
- Caregiver self-care and outside support are just as important as patient care.
Parkinson’s disease typically progresses in stages, which we discussed in our last article, and you can read in full here. Early symptoms might include tremors, stiffness, and slight balance issues. Over time, these symptoms can become more intense and expand to include non-motor or movement-related symptoms such as speech, cognitive function, and emotional well-being. This unpredictability makes a well-structured care plan vital.
While medications like levodopa can help manage a patient’s symptoms, they don’t stop the disease’s progression, which is why your care plan should be proactive. Incorporating strategies for both current symptoms and anticipating future needs can help make an already challenging situation more bearable.
Building the Foundation of a Parkinson’s Disease Care Plan
Start by focusing on daily routines. Structure can provide a sense of control and comfort for your loved one. Set consistent times for medication, meals, exercise, and rest. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and even speech therapy may become key components of the daily schedule.
Next, consider their safety. Making home modifications to reduce fall risks, such as installing grab bars in bathrooms, ensuring walkways are clear, and acquiring mobility aids (like a walker or wheelchair), will make life easier on you and your patient. PD can affect balance and coordination, so preventing them from getting hurt in a fall is crucial.
Additionally, cognitive and emotional support are just as important. Depression and anxiety are common among people with PD. Regular check-ins with a mental health professional, support group, and family can help keep your loved one’s spirits up and emotions regulated.
Now, let’s discuss some adjustments you can make to daily habits as their PD progresses.
Dressing with Dignity and Ease
Getting dressed can become frustrating as fine motor skills decline. Adaptive clothing like velcro shoes, front-fastening bras, and elastic waistbands can help your loved one stay independent longer. Help them choose soft, easy-to-layer clothing and lay out items in the order they’ll be worn to make mornings go smoother.
Most people with PD want to maintain their independence as long as possible. But when they do begin to request assistance, approach it with patience and positivity. As their safety allows, let them maintain as much autonomy as possible, even if it means taking some extra time.
Activities and Daily Movement
Staying active is one of the best ways to maintain mobility, balance, and even mood. Gentle exercises, such as walking, stretching, tai chi, and chair yoga, can help improve flexibility and reduce stiffness. Include these in your care plan several times a week, and coordinate with a physical therapist to tailor activities to your patient’s ability.
You can also incorporate cognitive activities like putting together puzzles, reading out loud, music therapy, or reminiscing over old photos. These activities help support memory and emotional well-being while also helping you connect with each other.
Hygiene and Bathroom Assistance
Hygiene routines may gradually require more hands-on help. As we said earlier, home modifications can make things much easier. Install grab bars and non-slip mats in the shower, and consider getting a shower chair for safety. Electric toothbrushes and razor handles with good grip can also help promote more grooming independence.
Eventually, incontinence may become part of your patient’s journey. You’ll want to be proactive about this part of your care plan. Don’t wait for an accident to happen before you begin to keep leak-proof underwear and other supplies on hand. Include regular bathroom breaks in their schedule, keep supplies discreetly available, and consult with their doctor about management options when necessary.
Encouraging Restful Sleep
Many PD patients begin to experience disruptions in their sleep due to tremors, stiffness, or side effects of their medication. You can help promote better rest by sticking to a consistent bedtime routine and creating a calming sleep environment with dim lighting, minimal noise, and a supportive mattress.
Keep nighttime paths well-lit to prevent falls if your loved one needs to get up in the middle of the night. If their sleep issues continue or get worse, speak with their neurologist or healthcare provider. Sometimes, small adjustments to medication can make a big difference.
Keeping Up with Medical Appointments
Regular checkups with neurologists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and primary care physicians are vital to managing PD effectively. Keep a detailed calendar with upcoming appointments and maintain a binder or digital file that includes a list of their medications, notes on symptoms, and test results. This is a simple way to keep track of all pertinent medical history and have it easily accessible when you need it.
If you observe new symptoms, either physical or mental, don’t hesitate to bring them up with their doctor. It’s important for them to be as informed as possible about your loved one’s progression.
Don’t Forget to Plan Ahead
Long-term planning might feel overwhelming, but it’s one of the most loving things you can do. Legal documents like a living will, healthcare proxy, and power of attorney should be discussed and established early, while your loved one can still be fully present in the decisions.
You should also talk openly about financial planning and future care needs, such as in-home care or assisted living. Scheduling regular family meetings to reassess the plan and make adjustments as the disease progresses can help make the process easier on everyone.
Create a Parkinson’s Disease Care Plan with the Help of RMC
At RMC, we understand how overwhelming caregiving can be, especially when trying to balance caring for a loved one with the logistics of daily care. Our neurological team at RMC offers compassionate, expert support to help you build a Parkinson’s disease care plan tailored to your loved one’s specific needs. From daily routines to long-term planning, we’ll walk with you every step of the way. Contact us today to take the first step toward more confident caregiving!