In July, PMD Alliance held a webinar during which the speaker, social worker Erin Cecchi, focused on how important it is for care partners to ask for help.  The speaker addressed barriers to asking help, the strain of care on care partners, the risk of care partners’ own declining health, how to build a support network, and whom to ask before you “hit the wall.”  Erin said that there is a wealth of information available by speaking to other caregivers who can provide many ideas on caring for your loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD) as well as enjoying your own life.  As care partners can experience high levels of physical and mental stress, Erin noted that caregivers taking care of their own mental health needs is just as important as taking care of their physical health. 

Last week, the American Parkinson Disease Association’s Connecticut chapter (APDA CT) hosted a webinar on psychosocial strategies for the holidays with social worker Jennifer Lambert.  Parkinson’s disease (PD) can present new and different challenges during the holidays as there is a change in people and activities as compared to the daily routine.  The speaker provided some strategies for coping during the holiday season as a person with PD or a caregiver. 

In early November, the Connecting Caregivers Radio hosted a virtual conference session with care advisor Yazmil Soriano on tips for caregivers when caring for a person with Parkinson’s disease (PD).  The speaker addressed a challenge for caregivers:  the caregiver’s role is crucial in helping those with PD navigate this new journey, while at the same time caring for yourself.  Ms. Soriano encouraged caregivers to “take a step back and realize in order to be the best version of yourself you need to be healthy.”  This session was part of a three-day conference for PD caregivers. Though the title says that “the top ten ways a care partner can support someone with PD,” the ten “ways” are very high level concepts such as communication and journaling. Many specific tips were shared as part of the ten concepts.

During a November webinar, psychiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Santos noted that care partners can and do experience feelings of great joy, deep love, increased affection, and happiness for successfully navigating the changing reality of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Care partners can also experience high levels of anxiety, sadness, depression, anger, frustration, and exhaustion while navigating this changing reality.  She emphasized that all of these feelings are normal and well within the normal boundaries of human existence.  Dr. Santos explained that caregivers taking care of their own mental health needs is just as important as taking care of their physical health.  We at Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach attended this webinar, and are sharing our notes.  (While the Parkinson’s Foundation hosted this webinar, there is nothing PD-specific here.)