Caregivers in Weddington NC
Giving gifts to people you love is one of the greatest joys of life, and as a family caregiver it can be even more fun. This is an extra way for you to show your appreciation and care for the special people in your life, and to acknowledge holidays, events, or other special occasions. As with anything else in your care journey, when you are preparing to give your loved one a gift, it is important that you take into consideration their needs, challenges, and limitations so that you can give a gift that is meaningful and useful.
If your aging parent has Parkinson’s disease, use these ideas to inspire you for meaningful and useful gifts that you can give to your aging parent:
- Simple sports equipment. Your parent does not have to be an athlete to enjoy and gain benefits from sports-related physical activity. Going to a driving range to hit a few strokes, tossing a ball back and forth, or fishing can all offer benefits for balance, coordination, and muscle strength and condition. Look for items that appeal to your parent’s interests and abilities.
- Electronic reader. Tremors may make it difficult for your book lover senior to hold a heavy book or turn the pages effectively. An electronic reader is much lighter and allows them to turn the pages at the push of the screen. They can even place their reader on a stand to make it easier for them to read hands-free.
- Sleep machine. Disrupted sleep is a common issue for adults with PD. Focused relaxation can help your senior to get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer, providing better refreshment and also helping to minimize their symptoms the next day. A sleep machine, also sometimes referred to as a sound machine or a sleep sound system, is a small device that emits soothing, calming sounds that help the mind and the body to relax. Common sounds include rain, waves, brooks, tropical animals, and white noise. Experiment with the different sounds to find the one that your parent enjoys the most and use it to help the get better, more restorative sleep.
If your parent has recently received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, it may be the right time for you to consider hiring home care for them. Having an in-home senior care services provider in the home with your loved one from as early in the progression of the disease as possible can make your senior’s journey with PD far easier and less stressful for everyone involved. This care provider will create a customized approach to care tailored to their individual needs and challenges, and designed to not just help them manage these challenges, but also to promote as much independence and autonomy as possible. As your parent moves through the stages of the disease this care provider will go along with them, modifying their care and adjusting their approach to ensure that your loved one gets everything that they need at all times.
