Choosing the Right Home Care Provider for My Parent with Parkinson’s Disease

Caring for someone with Parkinson's Disease can be a full-time job. It's important to know that, regardless of how involved you wish to be in your parent's care, there will be times when juggling your own family and work commitments mean that you can’t always be there to keep Mom, or Dad, safe.

However, there are care options open to you that will benefit both you and your mom or dad when it comes to providing the care they need. Choosing a Home Care company that supports your level of involvement, and has the expertise to work with people with Parkinson's specifically, is vital.

Parkinson's Disease has a wide range of unique and challenging symptoms associated with it. Some of these are to do with movement issues, while some are connected to cognitive impairment.

Some of the Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

• Stiffness in the limbs and in the torso
• Loss of balance
• Slowing down of or eventual stopping of movement
• Sleep pattern disturbances
• Loss of sense of smell
• Speech changes
• Memory problems

Often, the impact of these symptoms means it's no longer possible for an older person to continue living alone, or the demands on a family member become too great to manage.

Choosing the right caregiver for your mom or dad will help ease your parent into life with a Home Care aide.

First, you will need to assess what level of care your mom or Dad needs. Are you looking for someone to take on day-to-day care? Or are you looking for a caregiver who can offer respite care on specific days so that you or another family member can take a break?

Next, consider your mom or dad's personal situation. If their muscle pain and stiffness is getting worse, they may need a caregiver to help them dress and help with physical jobs throughout the day, such as light housework and meal preparation.

If your mom or dad has cognitive issues or is suffering from depression linked to their Parkinson's Disease, a companion caregiver with experience would be well-equipped to give them the support they need on a daily basis.

Why Home Care is the Best Option to Help When a Parent has Parkinson’s

Home Care is designed to fit in and around your lives, so when looking for the right Home Care company, don't be afraid to be very specific with your wish list from the outset when you meet with their team. The more detailed you can be about what you would like to achieve out of the situation, the better.

No two cases of Parkinson's are the same, but you can be reassured that it will be beneficial for everyone if you find the right Home Care provider; one that has extensive experience working with people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Once you have found a caregiver you feel is a good fit for your family, and your mom or dad's needs, it's important to continue working closely with them and keep communication clear and strong between your family, the Home Care company, and your parent’s medical team.

A Home Care aide who has experience working with Parkinson’s patients will be able to detect and report changes in behavior or mobility.  One of the benefits of Home Care is that early intervention with things such as speech therapy and will have greater levels of success when it comes to treatment.

Your mom or dad’s medical team’s involvement is likely to change over time as your parent's symptoms change. A Home Care aide, on the other hand, can provide stable, continuous care in the familiar surroundings of your parent’s home throughout the different stages of the disease.

This will be a comfort to your mom or dad during what can be a confusing and difficult time, and will be a great source of information and support to you as your parent's illness progresses.

As symptoms worsen, in-home care can be a good option to enable your mom or dad to live as independently as possible, and remain in their own home. Home Care aides can be at hand to help with all day-to-day tasks, from physical aid to appointment-keeping and medication routines. This option is a great alternative to an assisted living facility if you are thinking of how to manage your parent's Parkinson's in the long run; it is more affordable and more comfortable for your mom or dad.

What a Home Care Company Should Provide to Help Your Family

A Home Care company should ideally have years of experience working with clients with Parkinson's and their families, and should be able to find the perfect Home Care caregiver who will work with your parent as they live with Parkinson's Disease.

They should have in place a specialized support program for people with Parkinson's who are living in their own home; one that offers a comprehensive care plan centred around the person. As each client’s needs are unique, this care plan should involve expert management and ongoing assessment, to ensure that your mom or dad, and your family, live the most fulfilled lives you can.

To find out how Ezra Home Care can provide the assistance your parent needs when suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, contact our compassionate and experienced team.