How Can a Live-in Carer Support Someone with Parkinson’s Disease?
For many people living with Parkinson’s Disease, home is the place where they feel most comfortable, safe, and supported. Being surrounded by familiar surroundings, memories, and a local network of family and friends can make a world of difference. With the help of a specialist Live-in Carer, it is possible to continue living at home with 24-hour care tailored to your individual needs and preferences. This support allows you to maintain independence, choice, and dignity while reducing the risk of complications and improving quality of life.
Living Well with Parkinson’s at Home
Parkinson’s Disease can bring a wide range of symptoms, including stiffness, tremors, difficulties with balance and coordination, fatigue, constipation, and changes in communication. These challenges can feel overwhelming, but with the skilled support of an experienced Live-in Carer—and guidance from your Parkinson’s Nurse—they can be managed safely at home.
An Occupational Therapist may also assess your home and recommend equipment or adaptations to make daily life easier. Live-in Carers are trained to use mobility aids and assistive equipment, ensuring you remain safe and supported while maintaining as much independence as possible.
How a Live-in Carer Can Help
Personal Care
Carers provide discreet, respectful support with bathing, dressing, and grooming. They can help with shaving, hair care, make-up, or nail care, ensuring you continue to feel confident in your appearance.
Continence Care
Constipation and bladder issues such as urgency or incontinence are common in Parkinson’s. Carers with specialist training can assist with bathroom support, catheter or stoma care, and monitoring any changes—reporting concerns promptly to your Consultant or Parkinson’s Nurse.
Mobility Support
Stiffness, tremors, freezing, and postural changes can make movement difficult and increase the risk of falls. Carers can help with transfers, wheelchair use, or simply provide reassurance while walking. They can also encourage safe exercise such as walking or swimming, which has been shown to ease symptoms and boost wellbeing.
Medication Management
Because timing is so important with Parkinson’s medication, carers are trained to administer drugs safely and on schedule. They can also order and collect prescriptions, monitor your response to treatment, and liaise with healthcare professionals if adjustments are needed.
Household Support
Day-to-day tasks can become tiring with Parkinson’s. Carers help with light cleaning, laundry, correspondence, shopping, and even gardening. They can step in with the practical tasks so that you can conserve your energy for the things that matter most.
Meals and Nutrition
Carers prepare nutritious, balanced meals according to your tastes and dietary requirements. If swallowing or chewing becomes difficult, they can work alongside your Speech and Language Therapist to support safe eating or, where needed, PEG or tube feeding.
Companionship
Carers provide more than practical support—they are also companions. Whether it’s conversation, watching a favourite programme, or simply sharing quiet moments, companionship plays a vital role in emotional wellbeing.
Pet Care
For many people, pets are a source of joy and calm. Carers can help with feeding, walks, and vet visits, ensuring pets remain a treasured part of daily life.
Social and Community Life
A Carer can support you in visiting family, attending local groups, or enjoying outings such as shopping or garden visits. They also help welcome friends and loved ones into your home, so you can stay socially connected.
Physical and Emotional Wellbeing
Carers are there to help arrange and attend GP or hospital appointments, liaise with your Parkinson’s Nurse, and provide reassurance throughout. They also understand the emotional challenges of living with Parkinson’s and respond with empathy, patience, and encouragement.
Cognitive Support
Some people with Parkinson’s experience memory difficulties or changes in communication. A Live-in Carer can help with reminders, support conversations, and assist in processing information from healthcare providers. They can also help keep track of important dates, appointments, and everyday tasks.
Finding the Right Carer for Parkinson’s Support
At Access Care, we have been introducing specialist Live-in Carers to support people with Parkinson’s Disease for over 25 years. Many of our Carers have advanced training in Parkinson’s care, along with the patience, compassion, and expertise to meet the unique challenges the condition brings.
We take the time to understand your care needs, preferences, and lifestyle, so we can match you with a Carer who not only has the right skills but also shares your values and interests. Our role is to present suitable Carers; your role is to choose the one who feels right for you.
Helpful Resources
- Parkinson’s UK – Information, local advisors, support groups, a free helpline, and research updates.
- Parkinson’s Care & Support UK – A charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s and funding alternative, non-pharmaceutical research.