Many of the families we work with are caring for someone with Parkinson's disease. In the early years, life often looks fairly familiar. As the disease progresses, though, daily care becomes more demanding, and the people providing that care need more knowledge and more support.
That's why I wanted to pass along a resource that recently crossed my desk.
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) offers a free online course called Taking Care of the Person with Advanced Parkinson's Disease. It was designed for home care aides, nursing home staff, and visiting nurses, and it's a helpful learning tool for family caregivers too.
What the course covers
It's free, self-paced, and takes about an hour
There are three short sections: motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms, and treatment and living well
Each section ends with a quick quiz
You'll receive a certificate of completion after the final test
You can find it here: Taking Care of the Person with Advanced Parkinson's Disease
Who might find it helpful
If you're a family caregiver, the course can help you understand what's happening as symptoms change and give you language to use when talking with doctors and care providers.
If you're hiring in-home help, consider asking whether caregivers have completed this training. Families notice the difference when a caregiver walks in already knowing what to expect.
If you run a home care agency or care facility, this is an easy addition to new-staff orientation. Caregivers who work with Parkinson's clients can complete it in a single sitting, and certificates can go straight into staff files.
Planning ahead matters, too
Good care and good planning go hand in hand. As Parkinson's progresses, families often face decisions about health care, finances, long-term care, and who will make choices when a loved one no longer can. Putting powers of attorney, health care directives, and a long-term care plan in place early gives everyone more peace of mind and more options down the road.
If your family is navigating a Parkinson's diagnosis and you'd like to talk through your planning, we're here to help. Contact Prendergast Law Group to schedule a conversation.
Our thanks to APDA for making this training freely available to caregivers everywhere, and to Carexroads for bringing it to our attention.