Parkinson’s affects more than one person, it reaches beyond to family and friends and affects their daily lives and the relationships you have too, for example you may need more help with daily activities, and your roles and responsibilities may evolve.
Children’s reactions to Parkinson’s vary widely depending on their age and the relationship they have with the person who has been diagnosed. It can often be helpful for you and your children to speak with other families who have had similar experiences, so ask your local or national Parkinson’s organisation1,2 if they can put you in contact with others, or you could contact a national counselling organisation who can listen to any worries and help you work through them. You may also find it helpful to take your partner or close family with you for your next doctors appointment so that they can ask any questions they wish.
The many sources of information available can also be helpful for families. Keeping informed about Parkinson’s can help them to adjust to the changes that will not only affect you but your family as a whole.
There’s lots of information both published and on the Internet aimed specifically at family and carers, see Where can I find more information? on the Carers and Family sections of Rewrite Tomorrow for further sources of information.
