For Care Partners

November is Caregivers Month

This November we honor care partners during National Family Caregivers Month. Specifically, we highlight the importance of caregiver well-being and addressing the challenges of burnout.

Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion experienced by individuals who care for others, typically family members or loved ones, who are unable to care for themselves.

Throughout the month, we aim to raise caregiver burnout awareness, provide support and resources and highlight the importance of self-care initiatives to empower caregivers to find balance and maintain their well-being year-round.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive disease, meaning that it changes over time. Your role as a care partner and your level of involvement will also evolve along the way.

It’s important to define “caregiving” for yourself. Especially early in the Parkinson’s journey, when you might not feel like you are actually “giving” care. Similarly, your loved one might not see himself or herself as someone in need of care. Remember, care is not limited to physical tasks. Care can be emotional and spiritual as well as physical.

Whether you care for someone who is recently diagnosed, adapting to new challenges of PD progression or living with the disease for a long time, a strong support network is essential for your well-being as a care partner and the person with Parkinson’s.

Making sure to take care of yourself can help create a productive partnership that minimizes stress and conflict. Benefits include revitalized energy, renewed interest in creative endeavors, and the realization that you and your partner are not alone.