Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder that can have both negative and positive impacts on seniors and their families. The disease can bring people closer together, but its impact can also make daily life stressful. Here are some ways Parkinson’s disease affects the whole family and what can be done to manage these issues.
1. Strain on Partner Relationships
Romance and intimacy are essential to quality of life, but the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms associated with Parkinson’s can take a toll on elderly spouses. Communication difficulties are common with the disease, making the journey challenging for partners. However, senior spousal caregivers need to find a way to share activities as equals to keep the romance going. They also need to set aside free time to maintain their own sense of independence.
At some point, your loved one and his or her partner may get a great deal of benefit from having a professional caregiver help with everyday tasks. Families looking for top-rated homecare providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
2. Caregiver Exhaustion
Most family caregivers assume the role involuntarily and sacrifice a lot of their time. Some of the first sacrifices include their self-care needs. If this happens, the odds of experiencing caregiver burnout increase. Being a family caregiver doesn’t mean you have to give up the things that matter in your life. You need to make time to get rest, visit the doctor, and participate in activities that bring you joy.
The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be difficult to manage, and family caregivers can easily get overwhelmed. Caring for a senior loved one can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Lincoln Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
3. Confusion Among Younger Family Members
As Parkinson’s takes over and causes a senior loved one’s motor skills, speech, and eating abilities to decrease, young children may become confused. Some kids will be afraid or think they’re to blame. Families must decide when they’ll explain the disease to the children and take into consideration each child’s level of development. Although the youth need to receive support and reassurance, they shouldn’t be kept away from their senior loved ones with Parkinson’s.
4. Financial Stress
Financial burdens can lead to stress and worry. The ability to access more funds can be difficult, especially when there’s minimal support within the family. In these instances, family members of seniors with Parkinson’s may need to increase their working hours to support the medical costs of an aging loved one. Working more and providing care to your parent could strain your relationships with your spouse and children. To ease some of the financial burden, check with your loved one’s insurance provider to see what his or her plan will cover, and find out what local or national resources he or she is qualified to receive.
5. Family Tension
Different reactions and opinions about caregiving can cause tension among family members over what steps should be taken after learning of the diagnosis. Your family may disagree on where your loved one should live, what type of care he or she needs, who will cover out-of-pocket expenses, and what duties you’re willing to handle. As a family, you need to listen to the wishes of your loved one and take into consideration the financial aspects of caring for an elderly parent with Parkinson’s. Although discussions are necessary to find real solutions, too much tension is bad for the mental health of seniors, and it could damage family relationships.
Many seniors in the later stages of Parkinson’s can continue to live at home, but they will likely need assistance from a family member or other caregiver to do so safely. For many seniors in Lincoln, live-in care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Home Care Assistance, we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness. Call one of our friendly Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn more about our customized Parkinson’s care plans.