How to support family member with Parkinsons

As one who very recently was diagnosed with PT about the best I can say is let her know you will help any way possible. Sometimes just having someone who will listen and not get upset with the mode swings and forgetfulness if those are some of her problems.

I was diagnosed with PD a year ago. One of the most annoying things I have experienced is EVERYONE has a remedy for PD that they are adamant I try. If I followed all the advice I have received I would be a Vegan, juicing, protein drink chugging, gluten free, supplement swallowing, carnivore dieting, meditating, electric shock suffering wreck. And none of them had an ounce of actual experience with PD or with someone who has PD. The only suggestion I would advise is to recommend she join a support group such as this one or one in her area. I have found having others with PD to share my experience, questions and frustrations with extremely helpful. Outside of that be a good listener and sympathetic to her experience and don’t try to “fix” her. I wish you all the best and hope your sister finds the help and support she needs.

Hi, @rl2wings - I wanted to add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and also tag a few members who may have some thoughts for you about how to support a family member - who lives a distance away - with Parkinson's.

Please meet @seniormed @hopeful33250 @adrienne625 @foundryrat743.

Welcome to connect.mayo clinic, from a contributor who has PD, plus several other, equally difficult chronic conditions to manage. Because my wife has cognitive and heart issues, I am also a caregiver! This background information is important to understanding other family support problems. that I have had. I have limited support from immediate family members. Several close family members live about 50 miles away, in the country. Their lives and responsibilities keep them busy, and they do a lot of international traveling, being professionally trained relatives. When they are home, they are supportive, but it is limited. I have a brother and sister, who live near the ocean coasts, one on the east Atlantic coast, and the other, on the west Pacific coast. So, we talk on the phone, occasionally, but I haven’t actually visited one sibling in 8 years, and the other, it’s been about 25 years. So, these relatives are the type that are all wrapped up in themselves, so much, that I am the one giving verbal emotional support, rather than the other way around. However, I have a couple neighbor/friends, who are practically supportive of me, like helping with delivering groceries, because I am mobility compromised. I am thankful for that. So, my wife and I manage each day, to get basic chores and personal care activities done. It is not easy, considering that we are both in our 80’s. Our former friends, who helped us, and we had helped them, which made life easier, all have, sadly, passed away. So, helping relatives, when one lives a long distance away, is also very limited. We live in the middle of the country, so I can’t count on my brother and sister, to be able to give much support. A sense of helplessness sometimes makes me feel like I’m in a tight spot, especially if I’m having a bad day, because of PD, or one of my other chronic problems! We are not wealthy people, so assisted living is not possible. When I was younger, I helped out, with my parents, as they got older, because, for one thing, I lived nearby. I always thought that when my wife and I got older, and needed help, that, surely, someone would be around and help. I’m finding out that thinking that way, is not the reality of what’s happening. I hope my story may give you some insight on helping you, in making decisions, on helping a PD afflicted person, from a distance!