Caregiver for 5 year(s)
I was a caregiver for my 79 year old mother. She had Parkinson’s for 20 years. In her last 5 years of life, she also had Dementia. Her condition changed from a person who was able to walk, to a crippled woman who rode in a wheelchair. I personally cared for her day and night. She has now passed, and I now help a friend who has Parkinson’s. He is 56 and has had Parkinson’s for over 10 years. Three years ago, he started to walk with a gait. Fortunately, he is still able to walk and drive. I try to get him out to go shore fishing once a week. The shoreline is a bit rocky and therefore he needs to be aware of his environment. This environment helps him in keeping his balance and his walking coordination. I have also gotten him to ride a bicycle. This also has helped him to walk in a normal stride. I often remind him that these exercises combined with his PT will help him to walk normally.