If your loved one is living with Parkinson’s disease, you want to support them the best way you can. But you may not understand what all this entails. Parkinson’s disease is a challenging diagnosis. It takes time to understand how the disease will affect your loved one and how you can help. Although there’s no cure, there is much hope. Caregiver training for Parkinson’s can help you identify the many ways you can support and care for your loved one.
Here are a few helpful tips for caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease.
Educate Yourself
A good first step for Parkinson’s training is to learn as much as you can about the disease. Read about Parkinson’s and the various ways it can affect someone’s life.
Talk to your loved one’s doctor and don’t hesitate to ask questions. The more you know, the better you’ll feel and the more helpful you’ll be.
Be sure to do your research. Use reputable websites like the Parkinson’s Foundation. Do not rely on patient forums or product advertisements for medical advice.
Understanding the disease and how it may affect your loved one helps you prepare for what’s to come. Working with a personal trainer who specializes in Parkinson’s disease is a good first step.
Jonathan Rose is a personal trainer with years of experience in this field. He has developed a specialized course for Parkinson’s patients, their loved ones, caregivers, as wells as health professionals called the Parkinson’s Success System.
Attend Doctors’ Appointments
A great way to stay informed is to attend doctors’ appointments with your loved one. This is a good time to share your concerns and ask questions.
This is an opportunity to help. If your loved one is having sleeping problems or mood-related issues, you can alert the doctor.
Even if the patient is capable of going to appointments alone, you can take notes, share your perspective, and monitor prescriptions. It helps to keep a record or calendar of doctor and therapy appointments.
The more involved and informed you are, the more you can help.
Keep a Watchful Eye
Parkinsons is a progressive disease. But it affects people in very different ways. You may see physical, mental, and emotional changes in your loved one over time.
Keeping track of these changes can help you and the doctor understand how the disease is progressing and the best steps to take. This helps ensure that your loved one receives the appropriate treatments at the right times.
Working with a personal trainer can help your loved one maintain strength and balance. This can help lower the incidence of falling and help your loved one feel safer and more in control of their body.
Get Support
Many caregivers try to do it all. It’s natural to want to help. But doing everything yourself is overwhelming and stressful.
You and your loved one need support. And this can come in many forms.
Physicians, nurses, and personal trainers are your first line of support. Professional caregivers can help take the load off your shoulders if your need full-time or part-time assistance.
Accept help from family and friends when they offer. Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s isn’t easy. Don’t try to go it alone.
Promote Activity
Exercise is helpful for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Developing the habit of exercise can help improve mobility, strength, balance, and memory for people with this condition.
Exercise in Parkinson’s patients can increase their quality of life and provide a fun activity to look forward to each day. A personal trainer like Jonathan Rose can be a big help for people with Parkinson’s.
He has the experience and knowledge to help your loved one understand the benefits of exercise. He is dedicated to doing all he can to improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Make sure you choose a personal trainer who understands the disease and works with individuals who have it. A knowledgeable personal trainer will be able to assess your loved one’s physical abilities and limitations and provide a tailor-made fitness regimen to meet their needs.
Be Flexible
Parkinson’s symptoms may vary from day to day. This can be frustrating and even scary for a caregiver.
It’s important to understand that as the disease progresses, it may affect your loved one in many ways. These mental and physical changes can be very difficult for someone with Parkinson’s disease.
As a caregiver, you should expect changes. Try to remain patient and as flexible as possible as you see these changes.
As Parkinson’s progresses, you may notice speech changes, balance issues, or tremors. Enlisting the help of a speech therapist or personal trainer may help your loved one better manage these changes.
Listen to Them
Living with Parkinson’s disease can be difficult and frustrating. Dealing with a degenerative condition is scary and unpredictable.
This can result in anxiety and depression in some people. Showing your loved one that you understand their feelings and are there to support them is so important.
You never want them to feel alone. Offering your time and listening to them can make all the difference.
Encourage your loved one to open up and talk about their feelings. Make sure they have access to a mental health professional if they need further support.
Monitor Medications
As a caregiver for someone with Parkinson’s, you should pay special attention to their medication schedule. Failing to take the right drug at the right time can affect their health.
The side effects of taking too little or too much medication can be serious or even deadly. Staying on top of medications is critical, especially if your loved one is forgetting to take the right doses at the right times.
Keep a list of current prescriptions and know the proper times to fill and dispense them. Storing medications in a pill organizer and keeping a calendar or log can be very helpful for caregivers.
Staying consistent with medications can benefit your loved one’s health and offer you peace of mind.
Practice Self-Care
Caring for someone with a chronic illness requires great energy, patience, and heart. It can take an emotional toll over time.
To take good care of someone else, you must first take care of yourself. Accept help from others and take some time for yourself.
Be sure to eat right, get some exercise, and spend time with friends and family. Practicing self-care will help you feel better and become a better caregiver as well.
Caregiver Training for Parkinson’s
If you are serving as a caregiver for someone with Parkinson’s disease, your role is so valuable. Take time to learn about the disease and participate in caregiver training for Parkinson’s.
Remember to be flexible, watch for changes, and seek the help you need. Look for ways to include movement in their daily routine.
Hiring a personal trainer who specializes in caring for people with Parkinson’s disease can make a huge difference. Jonathan Rose is a highly qualified personal trainer who works with people with Parkinson’s disease. He trains the caregivers on how they can do exercises and stretches with the person when he isn’t there to help them: get their body turned on and moving easier and quicker, decrease their rigidity and muscle stiffness so they can be more limber, as well as walk and move better. He trains them and provides them with photos and videos.
A caregiver’s time can be utilized very well to incorporate exercises and stretches. Find out how to make the most of your caregiver so they can help the person with Parkinson’s they are taking care of live their best life possible.
His goal is to help your loved one maintain strength, mobility, and independence. Contact us today to learn more.