Advice From a Parkinson’s Wife: 20 Lessons Learned the Hard Way

More than ten million people worldwide live with Parkinson's disease, and their spouses are most likely to be their primary caregivers. The transition from spouse to caregiver is not an easy one, often causing frustration, resentment, sadness, fear, and concern about the future. A lot has been written about caring for the Parkinson's patient, but their caregivers need a book to help them cope with the enormous life changes that Parkinson's brings to a relationship. This book does that. Barbara Davis's husband had Parkinson's for over twenty years. She wrote this book after more than two decades of personal experience because she wanted to chronicle the serious matters that most Parkinson's partners don't like to talk about publicly, and the feelings and frustrations they are embarrassed to share. By discussing these challenges openly and honestly, this unique book seeks to help others in ways that are not otherwise easily accessible, and to let them know that they are not alone in dealing with the negative life impacts of Parkinson's Disease. Advice from a Parkinson's Wife is realistic and enlightening, providing stories and advice from someone who's been there, along with practical suggestions for how to cope with the changes caregivers experience. Among the topics covered in the book are: How your marriage changes and what caregiving does to you How to handle doctor visits What to do about falls, clinging, masks, and variability Handling guilt and other emotions Suggestions for practical things you can do to make things easier Being a caregiver is tough, but with the wisdom, compassion, and advice in this book, the hope is that you can find moments when you can experience something approaching happiness, pleasure, and maybe even joy.