How to care for someone with Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s is a condition that leads to problems in the brain, causing people to have issues with their movement. It’s a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s – or you’re simply curious about Parkinson’s care – keep reading to learn more about the condition, including the symptoms, what Parkinson’s dementia is and how specialist care can help.

What is Parkinson’s?

Caused by the loss of nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra, Parkinson’s leads to a reduction of dopamine levels in the brain. Because dopamine is important for regulating movement, people living with Parkinson’s often develop symptoms like tremors or rigid muscles that make it hard to move around.

Parkinson’s affects around 153,000 people in the UK, according to Parkinson’s UK. Although its cause isn’t currently known, it’s thought to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

The types of Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism is an umbrella term that covers several conditions – these are the three main forms to know about: 

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s?

People living with Parkinson’s usually develop a tremor (or shaking) in certain body parts, stiffness and slowness of movement. These symptoms appear when the brain isn’t making enough dopamine to control movements properly. But it’s a complex condition and symptoms vary from person to person.

Caring for someone with Parkinson’s dementia

About a third of people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease go on to develop dementia, according to Dementia UK. This usually happens in the later stages as more areas of the brain are affected and is known as Parkinson’s dementia, or Lewy body dementia.

Read more about Lewy body dementia here.

Around half of people with Parkinson’s will experience some form of cognitive change within 10 years of diagnosis, according to Parkinson’s UK, but not all people go on to develop a serious thinking and memory problem. Just like with dementia, Parkinson’s affects everyone differently.

Parkinson’s care: What type of care do you need?

While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, symptoms can be managed through a combination of medication, physical activity and support through different therapies, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.

Parkinson’s care plans

Our teams at Care UK create effective person-centred care plans for each individual to ensure that we’re providing care that meets the needs and wishes of residents and their families. 

Care plans incorporate everything from medication to dietary needs and activities to personal interests.

Care homes for Parkinson’s

Some people may continue to live at home while making adaptations to their environment to make it safer. But as Parkinson's progresses, mobility problems can lead to falls or difficulty with personal care. It may become difficult to manage day-to-day life, especially if you are living on your own. 

A care home could offer a safer and more comfortable alternative. Care homes can provide specialist support for Parkinson’s symptoms, such as managing medication, personal care and physiotherapy. 

Care UK care homes offer a range of care types to suit every individual’s needs, from respite care to nursing care. 

Addressing advanced care needs

Another benefit of moving into a care home is that the team can adjust the care as the person’s symptoms progress. With specialist nursing care and palliative care teams, care homes can provide later-stage Parkinson’s care, including managing pain, cognitive decline and end of life care planning, all in a familiar environment.

Arranging respite care for someone with Parkinson’s 

For people with Parkinson’s can offer a change of scene and access to expert care and specialised activities, while also providing their carer with a well-earned break.

Selecting the right care home

When looking into Parkinson’s care homes, it’s important to consider if the home team has expertise in Parkinson’s care and what facilities they offer. For example, can they provide specialised support for Parkinson’s symptoms? Are facilities like the garden, cafe and hair salon accessible for people with mobility issues?

Care UK care homes offer warm and safe environments designed to support older people to live as independently as possible and make the most of each day, no matter their care needs. Many of our homes also specialise in nursing and dementia care, so our teams can continue to provide for your loved one’s needs as they progress.

Still have questions about living with Parkinson’s, or want to learn more about care home services or fees? Use our search tool to find a care home near you and get in touch with the team to discover more about the care they provide.