Eric's Story - Parkinson's Awareness Week 2018
Published: 10/04/2018
When 86 year old Eric was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease nearly a decade ago, he feared that he would have to give up his home of 20 years and move to a care home. As part of our support for Parkinson's Awareness Week 2018 (10-16 April), Eric has spoken with us about his experiences of living with Parkinson's Disease.
When 86 year old Eric was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease nearly a decade ago, he feared that he would have to give up his home of 20 years and move to a care home.As part of our support for Parkinson's Awareness Week 2018 (10-16 April), Eric has spoken with us about his experiences of living with Parkinson's Disease.
When I first got my diagnosis it was really scary, as there is no cure for Parkinson's Disease. As my symptoms have progressed I've found it increasingly difficult to do things that many people take for granted, like walking, moving about and even swallowing.
Sometimes I experience 'freezes' where I am temporarily paralysed – it can be very frustrating, as I've always been very active in my younger life, but I have developed coping strategies like counting to 10 and trying to maintain a positive outlook which help me overcome the problem.
Living with this condition can be incredibly difficult; everyday tasks, such as getting dressed, washing, or preparing a meal, take me a long time to do on my own, but life doesn't end with a Parkinson's diagnosis and that's where the home care support I receive from Bluebird Care has been so beneficial. If I had to get myself dressed in the morning, it would probably be time for bed before I'd finished!
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological condition, which currently has no cure and it is still unknown as to why people develop the disease.Sometimes I experience 'freezes' where I am temporarily paralysed – it can be very frustrating, as I've always been very active in my younger life, but I have developed coping strategies like counting to 10 and trying to maintain a positive outlook which help me overcome the problem.
Living with this condition can be incredibly difficult; everyday tasks, such as getting dressed, washing, or preparing a meal, take me a long time to do on my own, but life doesn't end with a Parkinson's diagnosis and that's where the home care support I receive from Bluebird Care has been so beneficial. If I had to get myself dressed in the morning, it would probably be time for bed before I'd finished!
Around 127,000 people in the UK have Parkinson’s, which equates to one in every 500 people in the UK.
Parkinson’s Awareness Week is organised by Parkinson’s UK, a charity that drives better care, treatments and quality of life for everyone living with Parkinson’s.
Mel, Care Manager said:
With Parkinson's Disease, the symptoms and the speed of their progression vary from person to person but they include tremors, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement, which can all make it very difficult for people with the condition to live a normal, independent life.
Through our domiciliary care services, we support many customers like Eric to manage their symptoms, complete tasks and stay active, so they can retain their independence and remain living at home for as long as possible.
Through our domiciliary care services, we support many customers like Eric to manage their symptoms, complete tasks and stay active, so they can retain their independence and remain living at home for as long as possible.
