How Right at Home Calderdale can help your loved one living with Parkinson’s

With years of experience in homecare, Right at Home Calderdale are trusted specialists in supporting individuals living with Parkinson’s. Our expert CareGivers are trained and experienced in delivering compassionate, tailored care that adapts to the changing needs of each person. We understand that no two experiences with Parkinson’s are the same, which is why we take the time to develop a personalised care plan for every Client — ensuring their unique preferences, routines, and challenges are fully supported.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

• Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. This means it causes problems in the brain and gets worse and worse over time www.parkinsons.org.uk/information.
• Over time, the brain is unable to control certain functions such as body movements.
• 1 in 500 people are affected.
• Most people start to develop symptoms when over the age of 50.
• It is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.

What to look out for Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease 

There are three main symptoms to look out for, and we would always recommend seeing your GP as soon as possible if you are worried about yourself or a loved one.

• Tremor/ shaking
• Slow movement
• Stiff and inflexible muscles

Other symptoms may include:

• Pain
• Sleeping problems
• Memory loss
• Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression

What to remember when caring for a loved one with Parkinson's 

Taking on the responsibility of caring for a loved one can feel overwhelming, as it often involves navigating complex emotional, physical, and practical challenges — from managing daily routines and medical needs to balancing personal commitments and coping with the emotional toll of watching someone you care about become vulnerable
Learn more about the condition to provide the best support you can. 

Keep regular appointments with your doctor 

Because the condition can affect each person in very different ways, finding the right combination and dosage of medication can be a complex and ongoing process. What works well for one individual may not be effective for another, and side effects can vary widely. For this reason, maintaining a strong, open relationship with your GP or healthcare provider is essential — it allows for regular reviews, honest discussions about what is or isn’t working, and adjustments to be made in a timely and supportive manner.
While the condition may not be curable, many of the symptoms can be effectively managed through a combination of medication, lifestyle adjustments, emotional support, and regular monitoring — helping to improve overall quality of life and maintain independence for as long as possible.

Managing Parkinson’s is about more than medication

Engaging in at least 2.5 hours of physical activity each week has been shown to help slow the progression of symptoms, improve mobility, boost mood, and support overall wellbeing.
Aim to follow a balanced, nutritious diet that supports overall health, boosts energy levels, and helps the body function at its best. Encourage them to continue engaging in activities they enjoy, as staying connected to hobbies and interests plays a vital role in supporting their mental health, sense of identity, and emotional wellbeing.

Find someone you can talk to 

• Discover a local support group for other people caring for people with Parkinson’s who understand what you’re going through and can offer advice.
• Speak to Right at Home calderdale to find out how our CareGivers can alleviate some of the pressure.

Look after yourself 

• Caring for your loved one is a full-time responsibility and there are often no breaks in between. 
• Time off can help you rest and reconnect with friends and family while a respite carer supports your loved one.
• Talk to your GP to learn more about the respite care services available in your area — they can guide you through your options, help with referrals, and ensure you get the right support to take a much-needed break when caring becomes overwhelming.

How Right at Home Calderdale can help 

Caring for a family member can be a significant and sometimes overwhelming responsibility, which may place strain on personal relationships, shift family dynamics, and lead to feelings of stress, guilt, or isolation if the right support isn’t in place.
Right at Home Calderdale can help ease some of the pressure by providing reliable, compassionate support tailored to your loved one’s needs — giving you peace of mind and the opportunity to take a break or focus on other responsibilities. Discover more about the support we offer by viewing Our Services.

Personalised Care Plans 

To support the Client in continuing to enjoy their hobbies and interests, we regularly take them to local community events—whether it’s a weekly crafts workshop or a local coffee morning, a dementia-friendly café, or an outing to places like Halifax Minster. Our CareGivers also accompany Clients on day trips and outings further afield, ensuring they remain active, engaged, and socially connected. Each month we also support Halifax Chair Yoga. 
To provide support with everyday activities that may have become more challenging over time, helping Clients maintain their independence and confidence.

Emotional support

• Support Clients coming to terms with a diagnosis.
• Support in understanding and managing the effects on their independence.

Medication assistance

• Many people living with Parkinson’s struggle to find the correct medication dosages and need help from their GP.
• Right at Home Calderdale can assist with GP appointments.
• We can also assist with prompting to take or administer medication.

Home help

• Light household tasks like dusting, changing bedding, vacuuming, shopping, and food preparation.

Personal Care

• We offer sensitive support with personal care tasks such as washing, dressing, eating, and toileting during times when symptoms worsen and make these activities more difficult to manage independently.