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

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.

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

"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