PARKINSON ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
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      • CA PD Registry 9/20 Conference Video
      • 2019 Videos
      • 2017 Conference Video
      • 2021 Conference
  • Newsletter
  • Other PD classes/events
    • Brian Grant Foundation June 2022 Classes
    • Davis Phinney Foundation 6/16 YOPD Council 6/21 Exercise + Freezing of Gait, 6/24 Motor Symptoms
    • Family Caregiver Alliance Webinairs - June & July 2022
    • Michael J Fox Foundation 7/21 Telehealth and PD,, 12/3 PD IQ & You Oakland CA
    • Parkinson 's Foundation Webinars, zoom mtgs
    • Parkinson Voice Project - Speech exercises Daily 8 AM Info session 2nd Tu
    • Shining Care-Redding CA Lunch and Learn events
    • PD Active 6/11 Speaker Forum, Brain Training class Zoom Calendar of exercise, dance, singing & speech classes
    • PMD Alliance June Classes
    • World Parkinson Coalition 2022 Research spotlight 7/12, 9/13, 11/15/22 Sing-A-Long 6/8/22
  • PANC Events
    • Save the Date 8/19 & 20/2022 SG Facilitator Workshop
    • Save the Date 10/22/22 PANC Annual Education Conference
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​The Role Of PD Carepartners

​Caring for a loved one with PD can be a challenging job, especially as the disease progresses. The best preparation for caregiving starts with education and asking questions of healthcare professionals. Early after a PD diagnosis, more emotional support and less hands-on care are generally required. 
​People with Parkinson’s disease rely on carepartners for a wide range of support — from driving them to doctor’s appointments to helping them get dressed. As the disease progresses, dependence on a carepartner increases substantially. Carepartners can help people with Parkinson’s adjust to the disease’s effects on the body. And knowing that a loved one is cared for can help the entire family adjust to the diagnosis.
​​
But the person with Parkinson’s disease isn’t the only one who should be cared for. Carepartners must take care of themselves too as it can be a complicated and physically and emotionally draining experience. See the following recommendations to help keep your energy, spirit, and physique engaged and able to continue the gratifying work of caring for a loved one. 
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​​Get Prepared
Many resources are available online and public libraries have literature on the disease. Whenever possible, accompany the person with Parkinson’s to their medical appointments and ask questions of the doctor, nurse, and social worker.

The areas to assess include your loved one’s needs—both your perceptions and theirs, your home environment, and your own health, emotional state, and other commitments. The carepartner has to determine how much they can and can’t do themselves and what type of outside support is needed. It is also important to assess current and future financial issues such as health insurance coverage, employment (both carepartner and the person with Parkinson’s), managing expenses, and if/when to secure Power of Attorney.

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Take Care of Yourself
Probably one of the most important, and sometimes difficult, things carepartners can do is to take care of themselves. This includes maintaining mental and physical health by making and keeping your own medical and dental appointments. 

As a carepartner, it is important to keep your job whenever possible as it provides not only financial help and possibly insurance coverage, but also a sense of self-esteem. Join a support group for carepartners if possible. Support groups help you meet people who are going through what you are going though, vent frustrations, give and receive mutual support, and exchange resource information and coping strategies. Whenever possible get your sleep, take breaks, make and keep social activities, and try to keep your sense of humor.

PicturePhoto by Antonio Santos
​Get Help
Get help—don’t try to do it all alone. By getting help, a carepartner can lessen their sense of isolation, and it gives you more confidence in your own caregiving ability.
Having help increases your ability to think creatively and helps you get those needed breaks. Help is available through local and community services. These include neighbors, friends, places of worship, senior centers, adult day health, Meals on Wheels, and door-to-door vans. For a fee there is in-home care for help with cooking, bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. Additionally, a social worker from your health plan or hospital can connect you with other services.

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​Foster a Good Relationship
​Lastly, maintaining your relationship and communication with the person with Parkinson’s can be the most challenging and rewarding aspect of caregiving. As Parkinson’s disease progresses, the roles change and the person with Parkinson’s may go from being an independent head of the household to a dependent person requiring a significant level of care. 

Research shows, however, that despite high levels of strain, carepartners with good quality relationships have reduced depression and better physical health. Remember, as a carepartner, your service to your loved one is beyond measure in terms of love, depth of care, and concern.

Family caregivers and professionals offer advice for finding the right home health aide.
Brain and Life Magazine June 2021
Caregiver Resource Centers
Del Oro CRC http://www.deloro.org/  serving –  Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.
Passages CRC  http://www.passagescenter.org/home.html serving - Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehema and Trinity counties
Redwood CRC  http://www.redwoodcrc.org/ - serving Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, and Solano counties
Care Partner Education
Family Caregiver Alliance  ​https://www.caregiver.org/resources-health-issue-or-condition
In English  Parkinson's Disease and Caregiving
En Espanol La Enfermedad y el Cuidado de Parkinson
Source for this page includes:
Family Caregiver Alliance. Parkinson's Disease and Caregiving. Retrieved from  https://www.caregiver.org/parkinsons-disease-caregiving

​Our Mission

​​The Parkinson Association of Northern California is an organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with Parkinson's, their families, and care partners throughout our region. 

La Asociación de Parkinson del Norte de California se dedica a mejorar la vida de las personas con Parkinson, sus familias y los compañeros de cuidado. 

​Contacts

Email: panc@panctoday.org
Mailing Address:
Parkinson Association of Northern California
1024 Iron Point Road, #1046
​Folsom, CA 95630


Phone: (916) 357-6641
If you'd like more information please call the office 
(hours vary, so leave a message and we'll get back to you)
Para realizar una llamada a través de California Relay,
​sólo tiene que llamar al número de teléfono siguiente sin cargo: 

Español: 1-800-855-3000 
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Copyright © 2020 Parkinson Association of Northern California. All rights reserved.
​PANC is a 501(c)(3)   Tax ID #68-0372037
  • PANC Home
  • About Us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Medical Advisory Panel
    • Privacy Policy
    • Annual Report & 990's
  • Contact Us
  • About Parkinson's
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Recently Diagnosed
    • PD Carepartners
    • Clinical Trials
    • Exercise!
    • Helpful Resources
    • PD Webinars & Classes
    • Guide to Specialist
    • Summer Heat and PD
    • Local Transportation Information
    • Reflections from the Parkinson's Community
    • Articles
  • Español
    • Sobre PANC
    • Clases y recursos
  • Ways to Support
    • Donate Online
    • Donate by Mail or Phone
    • Sponsorships
    • CAREPARTNER RESPITE SUPPORT
    • Be A Sustaining Donor
    • Planned Giving
    • AmazonSmile
    • Become a Support Group Facilitator
    • Other Ways to Give
  • Programs/Support Groups
    • Support Groups
    • Respite Care
    • Parkinsonwise
    • Parkinsonwise Trained Professionals
    • Rebuilding Together
    • Other PD Support Groups in CA
    • Shelter in Place Info series
    • Past Conference videos/info >
      • CA PD Registry 9/20 Conference Video
      • 2019 Videos
      • 2017 Conference Video
      • 2021 Conference
  • Newsletter
  • Other PD classes/events
    • Brian Grant Foundation June 2022 Classes
    • Davis Phinney Foundation 6/16 YOPD Council 6/21 Exercise + Freezing of Gait, 6/24 Motor Symptoms
    • Family Caregiver Alliance Webinairs - June & July 2022
    • Michael J Fox Foundation 7/21 Telehealth and PD,, 12/3 PD IQ & You Oakland CA
    • Parkinson 's Foundation Webinars, zoom mtgs
    • Parkinson Voice Project - Speech exercises Daily 8 AM Info session 2nd Tu
    • Shining Care-Redding CA Lunch and Learn events
    • PD Active 6/11 Speaker Forum, Brain Training class Zoom Calendar of exercise, dance, singing & speech classes
    • PMD Alliance June Classes
    • World Parkinson Coalition 2022 Research spotlight 7/12, 9/13, 11/15/22 Sing-A-Long 6/8/22
  • PANC Events
    • Save the Date 8/19 & 20/2022 SG Facilitator Workshop
    • Save the Date 10/22/22 PANC Annual Education Conference
  • DONATE