Parkinson’s Respite Care

Posted on by Paul Austin

When someone in the family develops Parkinson’s symptoms, it can be easy to put your own needs aside to look after them. However, ignoring your own well-being for too long can lead to decreased mental health, mood and heightened stress. Short breaks from caring are important for ensuring everyone in the family is looked after.

Respite care is often the best way to make sure you have enough time for yourself when caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s. Today, we’ll explore Parkinson’s respite care and how it can help your family.

What Is Parkinson’s?

Parkinson’s is an ongoing condition that affects movement due to a lack of dopamine in the brain. There is currently no cure, but several treatments have been developed to help manage symptoms. With the correct treatment plan, many people with Parkinson’s continue to lead long and fulfilling lives.

However, as Parkinson’s is a progressive condition that causes motor and non-motor symptoms to get worse over time, many patients require a form of care delivered either by a loved one or a professional carer.

Motor symptoms of Parkinson’s are the most common. These include:

  • Tremors
  • Slowness of movements
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Balance problems
  • Masked facial expressions
  • Speech changes
  • Small handwriting

Non-motor symptoms can also arise as the condition progresses, such as:

  • Loss of smell
  • Sleep problems
  • Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Mental health challenges
  • Low blood pressure
  • Cognitive changes

Caregiver in a purple uniform smiling and gently supporting an older woman as they walk together indoors

What Is Live-In Respite Care for Parkinson’s?

Respite care is designed to support family carers on a short-term basis, whether they require a few hours away from their caregiving duties a day or 24-hour cover for days or weeks.

A live-in carer will move into your loved one’s spare room and provide care in line with what the family has been providing previously. The aim is to keep the transition as seamless as possible and care continuously, to avoid undue stress or anxiety for the individual with Parkinson’s.

Live-in respite care is suitable for individuals with advanced stages of Parkinson’s who may need round-the-clock care rather than brief visits from busy loved ones and well-meaning neighbours. Live-in care ensures you can enjoy a much-needed break without worrying about your loved one’s safety.

Keep reading in our helpful guide on when someone with Parkinson’s should go into care.

What Can Parkinson’s Respite Care Help With?

Respite care provides benefits for both family carers and the recipient experiencing Parkinson’s symptoms. If you’re thinking about respite care for your loved one, consider how the following benefits can help your family:

Benefits for the Carer

Family carers can expect to benefit from live-in respite care, as it:

  • Provides a much-needed break: Respite care gives you time to rest, socialise and handle personal errands while knowing your loved one is safe.
  • Reduces stress and burnout: Taking regular breaks can help prevent exhaustion, isolation, and emotional and physical stress.
  • Restores energy and balance: The ability to step away from carer duties can help you recharge and bring balance back into your life.
  • Strengthens relationships: Family carers can create a power imbalance and put a strain on relationships, which respite can help alleviate.
  • Offers freedom to go on holiday: Live-in respite care gives carers a longer time away from their responsibilities, helping you enjoy your holiday to the fullest.

Benefits for Parkinson’s Patients

Respite care also provides several benefits for people with Parkinson’s. While family carers might feel guilty or worried about leaving their loved one with a live-in carer, it can actually be an advantageous situation.

Benefits of live-in respite care for Parkinson’s patients include:

  • Support with daily tasks: Respite care can assist with medication reminders, personal care, meal preparation and household chores.
  • Ensures safety: We’ll monitor movements and help with stability to prevent falls, and make the home more accessible if needed.
  • Provides social and mental engagement: Live-in carers can share enjoyable activities, such as puzzles, memory games, and social outings, to keep the mind active and spirits up.
  • Promotes physical activity: Carers can support activities such as walking or swimming, which can help manage Parkinson’s symptoms and improve overall well-being.
  • Boosts emotional well-being: Live-in respite care helps combat feelings of isolation by providing social interaction and engaging in enjoyable activities.

Smiling caregiver helping an older person sit comfortably on a chair while they chat together in a bright room.

Can Respite Care Be Arranged for Long-Term Permanent Support?

Respite care is typically defined as a short-term support service designed to provide a break for permanent carers who require a temporary respite from their everyday responsibilities. However, live-in respite care can be used as a longer-term solution for several reasons. These may include:

  • Family holidays: Live-in respite care can be arranged for weeks or even months to cover family holidays, so you don’t have to worry about their condition while you’re out of the country.
  • Trial period for full-time live-in care: Long-term respite care can help give you and your loved one a realistic idea of how you’d both respond to full-time live-in support.
  • Emergency situations: Live-in care can provide immediate, short-notice support during unexpected emergencies, ensuring your loved one remains safe at home while you’re needed elsewhere.
  • Easing into palliative care: Parkinson’s patients often require palliative or end of life care, and live-in respite can help ease your loved one into a new routine.
  • Carers experiencing burnout: Family carers often take on a significant amount of responsibility, making carer burnout more likely and impactful. Live-in respite care provides sufficient time to recover and refocus on yourself.

How Independent People Homecare Can Help

At Independent People Homecare, we understand the importance of breaks and how effective they can be on your physical, mental and emotional well-being. We aim to make a real difference in the lives of our clients and their families by offering bespoke one-to-one care that you can depend on.

Here’s how we can help you with our live-in respite care service:

  • Experienced, fully-trained carers: Our carers are all DBS-checked and experienced in Parkinson’s care, ensuring your loved one is in good hands when you can’t be there.
  • Care within 24 hours: Emergencies can strike at any moment, which is why we can dispatch a carer in under 24 hours should you need emergency care.
  • Help with daily tasks: Our carers will help with light housework, personal care, companionship and more to keep your loved one happy at home.
  • Personalised care plans: We work with you and your loved one to create a care plan that closely resembles your daily routine, minimising unnecessary changes that may cause frustration or stress while you’re away.
  • Fostered independence: We value independence in care, so we’ll encourage your loved one to continue doing as much for themselves as possible.
  • Other care options available: As Parkinson’s symptoms progress, you may feel as though you can’t cope as the primary carer anymore. We’ll help you and your loved one transition to full-time care.

We Are Here to Support You

If you’re unsure about the type of care your loved one may need, our team can help. Independent People Homecare offers live-in care that is supportive, trustworthy and fully personalised. Our carers are carefully matched to each person, so your loved one receives support from someone who suits their personality and routines.

Call us today on 0800 471 4741 for a friendly chat about your situation. We will listen, answer your questions, and help you understand what level of support might be right for your family.