Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson's Disease

by Lianna Marie

Overview

Caregiving for those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease comes with many challenges, from how to deal with guilt and loneliness to avoiding burnout and figuring out what to expect from an unpredictable disease. When giving care, too often caregivers neglect their own well-being.

Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease is not just about caring for your loved one, but also about taking care of yourself. Lianna Marie served as her mother's caregiver for more than twenty years after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Drawing on firsthand experience, her training as a nurse, and the many stories of others she has helped and counseled over the years, Marie shares her wisdom and advice—practical and emotional. Written accessibly and without jargon, Everything You Need to Know provides an essential resource full of useful information for all caregivers of those with Parkinson’s disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781557539953
Publisher:	Purdue University Press
Publication date:	10/15/2020
Pages:	206
Sales rank:	522,490
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

A trained nurse, Lianna Marie served as her mother’s caregiver and advocate for over twenty years through the many stages of Parkinson’s disease. She founded AllAboutParkinsons.com, an online community that has connected and helped thousands of people with the disease, their families, and their caregivers.

The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson’s Disease and Their Loved Ones is written for people recently diagnosed and their family members; Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease is a go-to resource for all caregivers of those suffering from Parkinson’s. Both books share the goal of educating and helping everyday people with no specialized training, providing comprehensive information, practical tips, and guidance about how to deal with the emotional toll of the disease.

Marie speaks frequently to fellow caregivers, guardians, and nurse practitioners. Born and raised near Toronto, Marie now lives with her husband in Seattle. When not writing or speaking, she can be found in the swimming pool, training for her next competition. To learn more about Lianna Marie, her upcoming books, and her speaking schedule, visit www.LiannaMarie.com.

Table of Contents

About the Author
Preface
Words You Need to Know
PART 1 CAREGIVING ESSENTIALS
1. Who Cares?
2. Before You Say Yes to Caregiving
3. Get Help
4. Set Boundaries
5. Take Care of Yourself
PART 2 WHAT TO EXPECT
6. How Long Will My Caregiving Role Last?
7. The Physical Side of Caregiving
8. The Costs of Caregiving
9. Planning for Parkinson’s
PART 3 THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF CAREGIVING
10. What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed
11. How to Manage Caregiver Stress and Prevent Burnout
12. Keeping Your Cool: How to Stay Patient During Those Trying Times
13. How to Deal With Guilt
14. How to Cope With Loneliness
15. How to Handle Depression
16. How to Cope With Worries About the Unknown
17. How to Deal With Resentment
PART 4 GETTING PRACTICAL: GENERAL CAREGIVING ISSUES
18. How to Help When Help Isn’t Wanted
19. What NOT to Do When Caregiving
20. Long-Distance Caregiving
21. What to Do When No One Will Help
PART 5 GETTING PRACTICAL: CAREGIVING FOR PARKINSON’S
22. Caregiving in the Early Stages of PD
23. Caregiving in the Mid-Stages of PD
24. Caregiving in the Late Stages of PD
25. How to Parkinson’s-Proof Your Home
26. Helping With Mobility
27. Managing Freezing Episodes
28. Preventing Falls
29. Getting the Most Out of Medications
30. How to Deal With Hallucinations and Delusions
31. How to Handle Weight Loss
32. Help for Drooling and Dry Mouth
33. Mealtime and Swallowing Tips
34. Social and Activity Concerns
PART 6 ESPECIALLY FOR SPOUSES
35. Special Needs of Spousal Caregivers
36. What to Do When Your Life Becomes All About Parkinson’s
37. When Parkinson’s Is Keeping You Up All Night
38. How Can I Regain Respect for My Spouse With PD?
39. Parkinson’s and Your Sex Life
PART 7 GETTING HELP
40. Respite Care
41. Housing Options
42. When Is It Time to Apply for Disability?
43. How Can We Pay for Caregiving?
44. How Do I Find Time for Me?
PART 8 TOUGH CAREGIVING DECISIONS AND ISSUES
45. Decisions About Driving
46. How to Get Your Loved One to Consider Home Care
47. The Dreaded Nursing Home Decision
48. Keeping Peace in the Family
49. Parkinson’s and Dementia: Caregiving for a Double Diagnosis
50. Grieving While Your Loved One Is Still Alive
Acknowledgments
Appendix
Notes

Editorial Reviews

"Caregiving is a catalyst for understanding the complex and profound feelings that come with being a caregiver. Lianna’s book is exactly what all caregivers need. Without such deep connectivity to this personal experience we fall short of caring at the deepest levels and supporting others who may feel lost in the abyss of the journey. Her text moved me as I reflected on my own experiences as a physician, caregiver, and human being. This is a good thing—a very good thing. Lianna explores the humanness of hope, fear, joy, and pain. What one feels throughout Caregiving is honest and true. To care means you must feel, and to feel is to be alive—even in the setting of death." —Dr. Timothy G. Ihrig, Hospice & Palliative Physician, Ihrig MD & Associates

From the Publisher

Caregiving is a catalyst for understanding the complex and profound feelings that come with being a caregiver. Lianna’s book is exactly what all caregivers need. Without such deep connectivity to this personal experience we fall short of caring at the deepest levels and supporting others who may feel lost in the abyss of the journey. Her text moved me as I reflected on my own experiences as a physician, caregiver, and human being. This is a good thing—a very good thing. Lianna explores the humanness of hope, fear, joy, and pain. What one feels throughout Caregiving is honest and true. To care means you must feel, and to feel is to be alive—even in the setting of death.”

Dr. Timothy G. Ihrig