How do carers feel about looking after someone with PD,and how do the cope,surely it affects their lives as well

[Crosshalls]

[cabbagecottage]

It sure does , it takes over .. I always say " WE HAVE PARKINSONS ". But we just get on with it don't we

[Crosshalls]

After being married 52 years we sure do,as we said in sickness and in health

[jernor]

"WE HAVE PARKINSON'S"~I think I can use that! We've been married 46 years, and 21 with PD.

[DaveR]

Yes, it inevitably changes life as do so many problems that we all face. I think age has to be considered in answering and suspect that the caregivers (I know some don't like the description but it means what you want it to mean - from the minimum of "helping" to the maximum of loving.

I am 73 and my wife who has Parkinson's is 70 and we have been fortunate in always (well almost always!) enjoying the same things. We find the things that we can do together and minimize those that we cannot. My hobby is photography and although I do not choose to spend a full day hiking the Cascades with my cameras as I used to, there are still plenty of opportunities. She encourages me to continue as much as possible and advises on the images she thinks should go on my website. We eat out and ignore those who are impatient with our slow progress, like to discuss the books we read and movies we watch and we cook together. Jenny has always been an avid gardner - now limited by the familiar balance problem and the strain on her back from working from chair. I have changed the garden (more patio, less grass and fewer steps)

In short WE are changing our life together and will continue to adapt and do so.

Not so easy for younger people where jobs are a major and important factor.

David

[PatV]

I'll ask my kids.

[Phyl]

My hubby had health problems other than PD several years ago and we were "lucky" enough to take out long term health care. It has allowed me the caregiver to be away for several hours each morning. I realiize that we will no longer be taking trips except to our daughters, go to movies as he has memory problems following something that long, but look back to all that we have done and count our blessings.