Theresa Hupp
Forum Replies Created
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We just returned from a trip — my husband with Parkinson’s took his first flights since 2019. He suffers from panic attacks, and we worried about him having one on the plane. I had medication ready to give him, but he didn’t need it and he did great. One piece of advice — sign up for wheelchair assistance in the airports. He is mostly able to walk, but if he hadn’t been, having the wheelchair would have been necessary. Another key advantage of wheelchair assistance is that the attendants whisk you through security. So if you’re flying, I strongly advise lining up wheelchair assistance in advance. It’s free (though I gave the attendants tips). Also, we stayed in hotels with room service, because sometimes he can’t make it out to eat. Another option is ordering Uber Eats or DoorDash, but I liked having room service available.
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My HWP was recently diagnosed with low B12 and just started injections, plus supplemental vitamins. What PD symptoms are related to low B12?
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I’ve hired in-home help for 12 hours/week. Mostly so that I can count on being able to get to certain meetings and activities I have each week. But also because it’s nice not to have to think about PD for a few hours at a time.
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I’m the wife of my husband with Parkinson’s.
When I read this question, however, I went straight to “I’m a caregiver, nurse, financial manager, healthcare advocate, cook, household manager, driver, etc., etc.,” — everything but wife, because it doesn’t feel like there is any partnership between us anymore. I do everything. He does what he can of what he wants to do.
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Hello,
I would also be interested in a virtual caregivers support group. I’ve been trying to find a group in Kansas City, so far without success, though a local hospital has talked about starting one. It’s possible I’ll start a group through my church, if the hospital group doesn’t work out. But nevertheless, I’d like to participate in this online group.
My husband was diagnosed in 2014. The first few years were easy, but it’s getting harder. He has “off” periods most days, and sometimes these turn into panic attacks. He also has some other medical issues causing pain, and we haven’t been away from home (except to visit his 94-year-old mother who now has dementia–another story) since before the pandemic. And his executive functioning is suffering. He was a lawyer but now is so slow at getting any paperwork done. I do all the financial and tax work–for our personal accounts, for his business account, and now for my mother-in-law.
I’m in the Central time zone, and I’m available most evenings, though I have monthly commitments some nights. I’ll see if I can direct message you, Diana.
MTH
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I started by looking for in-home care agencies with offices near my house. From experience with other similar organizations, I have found it’s helpful to have the managers nearby — they staff people closer to you, they are more available if something needs addressing, you can pop in the office on occasion if need be.
Then I interviewed the managers. I went with the agency that sounded the most professional. I can’t guarantee it’s the best group, but I related to them best. So far, so good.
If you have long-term care insurance, or if you have a social worker or physical/occupational therapist or other medical professional you’re working with, you could get recommendations from them of good in-home care agencies in your area.
If you’re hiring an individual, you’ll want recommendations from others who have used them.