If you take care of a senior loved one with Parkinson’s disease, you’ll likely run into at least a few challenges in the coming years. Seniors who have Parkinson’s often experience many different symptoms, and you’ll need to have a solid care plan in place if you want to take those issues in stride. Here are a few simple and effective tips you can use to simplify your life in the coming years while providing world-class Parkinson’s care to your loved one.
1. Be Flexible
Your loved one’s demeanor and energy levels are likely to fluctuate, and you must be ready for those changes. While maintaining some type of daily schedule is ideal, you should be flexible. If your loved one is particularly irritable or uncomfortable, you might want to put off some of the activities you had planned for the day. You should also try to give yourself a little extra time whenever your loved one has important medical appointments or other obligations.
Having access to transportation to important appointments is just one of the many basic needs for seniors as they age. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Clearwater Home Care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
2. Form a Caregiving Team
Even if you’re fully devoted to caring for your loved one, you’re going to need some assistance from family and friends. You must also surround yourself with experienced medical professionals who can help you manage unexpected health problems. Having a solid team by your side can lower your stress levels, making you a much better caregiver.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and are looking for professional senior care, Home Care Assistance should be your top choice. Our dedicated and compassionate caregivers are committed to helping older adults manage their health and enjoy a higher quality of life in the golden years.
3. Don’t Neglect Their Physical Health
Healthy lifestyle habits can have a huge impact on quality of life. Exercising and sticking to a healthy diet aren’t going to reverse Parkinson’s disease, but those habits could lessen some of the symptoms. For exercise, your loved one might enjoy swimming, going on hikes, dancing, or riding a recumbent bicycle. When it comes time to eat, fill your loved one’s plate with nutrient-dense produce, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and lean protein.
4. Strengthen Personal Relationships
After taking care of your loved one for a few years, it might be easy to let your relationship fall by the wayside, which can lead to some major problems. To keep your relationship with your parent strong, you must continue doing activities you both love. Setting aside a few hours a week for board games or watching your favorite movies could greatly enhance your relationship and make your caregiving duties much easier.
5. Know When to Take a Step Back
Caregiver burnout is a serious issue that should never be taken lightly. If you feel as if you’re running out of energy, you need to ask for assistance. In addition to getting help from your family and friends, you might also want to consider working with a professional caregiver. Being able to step out of the house and focus on yourself every once in a while is going to be vital in the coming years.
Family caregivers need to care for their own wellbeing. If you’re caring for an aging loved one and are feeling overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional caregiver to provide respite care. Clearwater families who want to prevent burnout can turn to Home Care Assistance. One of our professional caregivers can assist your loved one at home while you take a nap, go to work, run errands, or go on vacation. If you’d like to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation with one of our friendly Care Managers, give us a call today at (727) 330-7862.