Caring for a loved one living with Parkinson’s can be challenging as the condition progresses. However, a Parkinson’s diagnosis does not mean that an individual has to move out of the home they love. An alternative option to moving into a residential or nursing care facility, is to stay at home and enlist the services of a live-in carer.
At The Good Care Group, we believe that people living with Parkinson’s can continue to experience a high standard of life and live as independently as possible. Live-in care services for Parkinson’s are designed to recognise and manage the symptoms of the condition with a personalised approach.
Our team of trained Parkinson’s live-in carers are dedicated to providing compassionate and bespoke care designed to meet the specific needs of each individual. Whether your loved one needs assistance with daily activities, companionship, or round-the-clock support, our experienced live-in carers are here to enable them to live comfortably at home.
If you’re after expert support in caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s, please contact us to discuss your loved one’s care needs. We offer a free, no-obligation home care assessment to help get you started.
What is live-in care for Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is a health condition that causes parts of the brain to get progressively damaged over the course of many years. The substantia nigra is the part of the brain that is affected by this condition. A loss of nerve cells in this area leads to reduced levels of dopamine in the brain. Among other things, dopamine is a chemical that is responsible for regulating movement in the body.
As a result of low dopamine levels, people living with Parkinson’s typically experience balance problems which may increase their risk of a fall, involuntary shaking, stiff muscles, and slow movement. As the condition is a progressive neurological condition, the symptoms of Parkinson’s worsen over time, resulting in individuals finding it increasingly difficult to carry out everyday tasks and care for themselves. This is where live-in care for Parkinson’s can help.
Live-in care for Parkinson’s addresses the common issues that individuals living with the condition face on a daily basis, creating a personalised care plan to enable them to live as comfortably as possible. The most common physiological and psychological symptoms of Parkinson’s include:
- Involuntary shaking or tremors
- Slow movement
- Muscle stiffness and inflexibility
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of balance
- Loss of sense of smell or anosmia
- Sleeping problems or insomnia
- Memory loss
Live-in Parkinson’s care at The Good Care Group is delivered by specially trained carers with experience of handling the challenges posed by Parkinson’s. Our Parkinson’s live-in carers are dedicated to keeping your loved one safe, happy and comfortable in their own home. All our carers are expertly trained in how to care for someone living with Parkinson’s to provide compassionate and flexible care as the condition progresses.
How does live-in care support Parkinson’s?
The symptoms of Parkinson’s can greatly impact an individual’s quality of life and independence as the condition progresses. Here’s how our live-in care service offers personalised support tailored to the specific needs of people living with Parkinson’s:
Retaining independence
Live-in care can offer a welcome alternative to care homes for those living with the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Live-in care can help to retain an individual’s independence by allowing them to remain in their own home under the supervision of an expert live-in carer. Live-in care can also be tailored to an individual’s daily routine and personal preferences, so that they feel in control of their lives and are able to make their own decisions.
Medication management
Parkinson’s can cause individuals to experience memory problems, impacting their ability to manage their own medication safely. A live-in carer with experience in Parkinson’s care, is able to organise medication and remind individuals to take them in a timely manner.
Our live-in carers monitor for any adverse reactions or changes in condition and can promptly notify healthcare professionals as needed. By overseeing medication management, live-in carers help optimise treatment outcomes, which leads to fewer falls, infections and unnecessary hospital admissions.
Companionship care
As Parkinson’s progresses, individuals may experience mobility issues that limit their ability to get out and about and meet with friends and family. A live-in carer can help to reduce the risk of isolation by providing transportation to social engagements, and also offer companionship care to decrease feelings of loneliness and encourage interaction.
Enhanced safety
Live-in carers place the safety and well-being of people living with Parkinson’s as their number one priority. Our live-in carers are trained to anticipate and address common safety concerns, including mobility issues, risk of trips and falls and emergency response protocol.
For individuals at risk of losing their balance or experiencing difficulty moving about as a result of Parkinson’s, live-in care is designed to mitigate risks and ensure a secure living environment. The reassurance provided to both our clients and their families is invaluable, giving them peace of mind and confidence that their care is in safe hands.
Safe mobility
Mobility issues are common symptoms of Parkinson’s, which can cause problems with balance and moving around. Live-in care can help to ease an individual’s mobility problems in a variety of ways. From removing trip hazards and clutter around the home to offering transport to physiotherapist appointments and more, a live-in carer can help an individual remain mobile for as long as possible.
Help with personal care
Dressing, keeping a tidy appearance, and maintaining proper personal care may seem like simple tasks, but for individuals with mobility, balance or coordination problems, they can become increasingly challenging. Our Parkinson’s live-in carers can assist those experiencing difficulties in maintaining self-care in a sensitive and dignified way.
Whether it’s offering discreet reminders, a helping hand, or full assistance with personal care routines, our carers adapt to your loved one’s changing needs. By ensuring they are appropriately dressed and groomed according to their preferences, our carers help ensure their clients look and feel their best and maintain their dignity and sense of well-being.
Encouraging healthy living
Our live-in carers are dedicated to supporting individuals with Parkinson’s in maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. This includes ensuring they have access to nutritious meals, assisting with meal preparation, and encouraging gentle exercise.
Cardiovascular exercise has been proven to improve symptoms of Parkinson’s in individuals living with the condition. A live-in carer can encourage individuals to take part in regular exercise in order to improve their balance and other common symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Care in the comfort of home
Most people would prefer to stay in the comfortable surroundings of home when faced with the prospect of making decisions concerning care. Live-in care allows individuals to remain in their own home, following established routines and staying within their local community.
Opting for live-in care avoids the unnecessary stress of packing, leaving and selling the home they love. The secure surroundings of home may also reduce the risk of disorientation, trips and falls as individuals are more confident making their way around a familiar space than navigating a new setting.
CQC-rated ‘Outstanding’ live-in Parkinson’s care
At The Good Care Group, we know receiving care in the comfort, safety and familiarity of your own home has far reaching benefits in improving health and well-being for a person living with Parkinson’s. For over 10 years, we’ve helped countless families just like yours receive the Parkinson’s care they need in the place they love most – their own home.
We know how important choosing the right live-in carer is for you and your family. We will work with you to carefully choose a carer that can meet all your care and support needs, while sharing common interests and backgrounds. Your care team really gets to know your loved one’s unique needs, which means they get consistency of care. We know this means life is more enjoyable for everyone.
Contact us for your free, no-obligation home care assessment. We will meet with you and your family at a convenient time to discuss your care needs and how we can help.
Talk to us about your Parkinson’s care needs
Our friendly and experienced team are here to help you and your family explore the options available to you. Call us today – we will help you every step of the way.
