The Complete Guide to Parkinson’s Care at Home in Central London

Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition, meaning its symptoms tend to worsen over time, with the pace differing from person to person. It develops when the nerve cells that produce dopamine — which helps regulate movement — are damaged.

This disease affects motor control and energy levels. The severity of Parkinson’s symptoms is unpredictable from day to day (or even hour to hour). You might be able to button your shirt or pour a cup of coffee easily when you wake up but experience severe tremors by mid-afternoon.

Routine activities like showering or cooking your own meals suddenly require a lot of planning, and in many cases, Parkinson’s care at home. All this can create emotional anxiety, too. Not knowing how you will feel later in the day makes it stressful to schedule social events or even basic errands.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease don’t appear in the same order for everyone and can include:

• TremorStiffness

• Slowed movement

• Balance issues

• Fatigue

• Sleep disruption

• Anxiety

• Constipation

• Cognitive changes

There are five stages, based on the Hoehn and Yahr scale:

• Stage 1: Symptoms are mild and often affect just one side of the body

• Stage 2: Symptoms start affecting both sides

• Stage 3: Balance problems and fall risk increase

• Stage 4: Symptoms become severe, necessitating substantial help with everyday activities

• Stage 5: Mobility becomes very limited and round-the-clock support may be required

The scale mainly tracks movement symptoms. Non-motor symptoms can start earlier and can be significant at any stage.

Parkinson’s home care can be adapted to the symptoms and the stage you or your loved one are living with. Right at Home Central London will work alongside your own healthcare team to jointly design a home-care plan based on what type of help would be most useful.

We believe that home care for Parkinson’s disease should empower you, never making you feel helpless. If you still want to cook or dress yourself, our CareGivers can step back and let you do what you can. And if your symptoms flare up, we’re right there to make sure that you’re fully supported

Safe mobility and fall prevention
Parkinson’s can affect your balance. Our CareGivers can make sure that you’re safe as you move around the home or prepare for appointments. We’ve trained our CareGivers to notice changes in your mobility and, with your permission, inform your family or health professional so that they can advise on the next step.

Personal care
Does stiffness make washing and getting dressed by yourself much more difficult? Our CareGivers can help with basic grooming to continence care without making you feel rushed or exposed. Every part of the visit is handled discreetly and protects your privacy.

Daily living support
We can also help you with tasks that may be causing fatigue, such as meal preparation, shopping, laundry and light housekeeping. You can absolutely carry on with the parts of your routine you want to do yourself.

Medication support
If you need to take medication at specific times, we can provide reminders and, where appropriate and agreed in the care plan, administer prescribed doses on schedule. We never make changes to the medication prescribed to you — those decisions can only be made by your doctor. We can let them know if we notice any side effects.

Gentle exercise (if advised by a clinician)
Our CareGivers can help you safely and gently follow the exercise plan your doctor or physiotherapist has advised. Need some motivation to get moving? We can absolutely be your cheerleaders. Sometimes, just having someone there makes all the difference.

Yes, absolutely. You or your family may initially need only occasional visits for assistance with particular tasks, or for extra reassurance when your usual support is temporarily unavailable. We can adjust the timing and length of visits exactly to your needs. If symptoms worsen, we can be there more frequently.

Caring for someone with Parkinson’s at home needs teamwork. This is why — with your consent — our CareGivers can coordinate with people involved in your care, including your:

Partner, adult children, other relatives or trusted friends

• GP or practice nurse

• Parkinson’s nurse and neurologist

• Physiotherapist

• Occupational therapist

• Speech and language therapist

• Pharmacist

• Dietitian

• Social worker or adult social care team

• Hospital discharge team (following an admission)

Our CareGivers don’t make clinical decisions but can share relevant observations through the agreed process and with your permission. They can also follow guidance from a physiotherapist or help you keep to a routine agreed with your healthcare team.

Supporting a loved one who is suffering from Parkinson’s can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Nobody is judging you for taking time for yourself. We understand that Carers need care, too, and we’re here to help you take back your balance. 

Our respite care services can give you, as a family carer, the time to rest and attend appointments. We can be there for your loved one, so you can relax while seeing friends or taking a holiday.

Do you need just a few hours to run errands? Or several days to go on holiday? Would you like to be able to take breaks on a regular schedule, every few days or weeks? Our Parkinson’s care services in Central London can include planned respite visits to help you do exactly that.