Welcome
As a care partner for a loved one with Parkinson’s, you are possibly at a point that you are thinking about the next steps of your journey in caring for them.
As the disease is progressing and the day-to- day 24/7 care is becoming more difficult, are you able to manage?
Is your loved one at a higher risk of falling at home because you just can’t be everywhere?
Are you OK? Are you overwhelmed? Many care partners have experienced this same challenge.
So, what are your options?
Is A Care Facility Needed?
(Excerpts from an article published on Parkinson’s Foundation website. (View the full article on our Articles Page)
People with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) require safe and effective care, all the time. The day may come when you are no longer able to provide this type of care for your loved one at home and you may need to consider a transition to a care facility.
As Parkinson’s progresses and needs become more extreme, keeping your loved one at home can seem like a battle of your survival versus his or hers.
Home Care may not be an option:
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It is too expensive to bring in the care that you need.
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Your home may simply not be a good fit for in-home care.
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The care partner’s physical and emotional strength is depleted.
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Your loved one with Parkinson’s requires skilled nursing care or round-the-clock attention.
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The person with PD prefers to live independent of family.
Statistics on Falls and PD
Research studies have shown:
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Falls in PD patients occur 3 times more frequently than in controls
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38-60% of those with PD report history of a fall
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60-75% reported episodes described as “near falls”
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46% of patients indicated a fear of falling
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60% of fall occurred with patients in the ON phase
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Majority of fall occur within the patient’s home environment
Tough Decisions
Making the decision to move your loved one to a facility is an emotional process. Many refer to it as “the hardest decision of my life.”
*The Parkinson’s Network Care Home offers professional social workers to help you and
your loved one through the tough decision and transition of making a move.
Potential benefits of a care facility
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Increased access to social activities offered at the residence
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Opportunities for involvement by on-site
medical and rehab professionals
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A more accessible environment
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Available staff to help at all hours of the day and night
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About the Parkinson's Care Network of Homes
Choosing a care home for your loved one can be overwhelming.
That is why we formed the Parkinson’s Care Network to assist care partners to find the right care home for your loved one.
The Parkinson’s Care Network is an invitation only, group of assisted living homes that are dedicated to providing excellent care to their Parkinson’s residents. All homes are vetted and must meet the standards for both physical layout of their home to provide a safe environment as well the commitment to provide the Parkinson’s training curriculum to their caregivers.
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All Parkinson’s Care Network homes earn a certification and follow the below Parkinson’s care standards:
o Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL's) from dressing, grooming, bathing, toileting, incontinence care
o On time medication administration
o Daily exercise routines with an emphasis on Parkinson’s in a dedicated area
There are four core elements of exercise that are important for people with Parkinson’s:
▪ Aerobics
▪ Strengthening
▪ Balance
▪ Stretching
▪ (ALWAYS WITH A CAREGIVER STANDBY)
o Provide a safe environment
▪ Staff are aware of mobility issues and will be on standby to assist
o Higher ratio of caregivers to residents
o Awake overnight staff
o Stimulating and fun activities
▪ Games, music, arts & crafts
o Balanced Parkinson’s friendly diet
o Voice activities and training
o Swallowing awareness
o Regular monitoring of weight, appetite, risk for falls, etc.
o A written care plan with ongoing communication between management and family
o Coordination with physicians with specialized training in Parkinson’s Disease and movement disorders
o One-on-one personal sessions available with experienced trainers specializing in Parkinson’s Disease
o Onsite visits from PT, OT, & speech therapists with expertise in Parkinson’s
Our goal is to have all homes in the Parkinson’s Care Network offer specialized, life enriching care for residents living with Parkinson’s.
Why a care home vs a larger facility is better for Parkison’s residents?
Residents become part of the family at our partner homes.
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Higher ratio of staff to residents results in better quality of care.
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Fewer residents provide a more intimate and homelike environment
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Much easier to navigate, resulting in a safer environment
Smaller is better!
Residents become part of the family at our partner homes.
• Higher ratio of staff to residents results in better quality of care.
• Fewer residents provide a more intimate and homelike environment
• Much easier to navigate, resulting in a safer environment
