Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s doesn’t mark the end of your loved one’s life or independence. We have extensive experience working with people affected by Parkinson’s and can provide life-changing care and support.
parkinson’s CARE AT HOME
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s is a disease that progressively damages the brain over the years, leading to symptoms such as tremors, slow movement, stiff muscles, memory problems and even sometimes a loss of sense of smell (anosmia).
There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease and most people begin to show symptoms in their 50s. The condition is caused by a loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This lowers dopamine levels in the brain which help regulate movement in the body.
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What are the benefits of receiving Parkinson’s care at home?
The simple things are often the most important. Eating well, keeping up with friendships, getting out in the fresh air…we believe that quality of life comes from protecting those fundamental pillars of life. Often, specialist equipment (such as kitchen utensils) can help someone remain independent for longer, which has a direct and positive impact on their emotional wellbeing.
We listen to your concerns and observations about your loved one’s changes – both mental and physical. We also take advice from specialist medical professionals so that we can tailor our Parkinson’s care to the specific needs of the individual.
What does our Parkinson’s home care include?
At Ashridge Home Care, our goal is to help your loved one to live each and every day to the fullest, despite having Parkinson’s. Here are some of the ways we can do that:
- Expert home care – our talented team of professional carers are trained to monitor your Parkinson’s and identify any changes to your health. This means you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
- Planning and preparing meals – having a healthy diet is so important to your quality of life, which is why we take care of your loved one’s nutrition and prepare delicious meals to their schedule.
- Managing medications – we can collect medications from the pharmacy, administer them and ensure that they are having a positive effect.
- Carrying out daily tasks – having a clean and tidy home can make all the difference. Our carers can clean, do the washing, help with personal care and much more.
- Companionship – having a caring companion to rely on has such a positive impact on our clients. Whether your loved one needs someone to chat with or help attend social events, our carers are there to help.
Why choose Ashridge Home Care for Parkinson’s care?
Our specialist and compassionate Parkinson’s care focuses on encouraging a positive mindset, adhering to established routines, and staying active.
We take the time to carefully consider and assess your loved one’s needs so we can provide the highest quality care.
The early stages of Parkinson’s can be difficult to diagnose. Simple things like the inability to get a good night’s sleep or not being able to remember things could just as easily be the result of getting older as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
However, if Parkinson’s is diagnosed, our focus is on building a strong relationship with the client and getting to know what makes them tick so that we can introduce small steps to improve their quality of life.
All of our carers are carefully selected and trained to ensure a consistently high quality. This is why it’s no surprise that we’ve been awarded Outstanding in Care by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), our precise attention to detail values each and every client.
FAQ’s
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Parkinson’s affects people differently and at different speeds. To begin with, the majority of symptoms may be non-motor, such as memory loss, sleep problems, depression, anxiety and a loss of smell. These symptoms require minimal support but a carer can help provide reassurance and give confidence that you are in safe hands and symptoms can be managed.
As the condition progresses, you may want to have a care assessment and plan ahead for the type of support you wish to receive. You might find that motor symptoms such as tremors, loss of balance and muscle freezes happen more regularly. This can impact both speech and movement, making it sometimes a distressing experience, especially when living alone. At this stage, you should consider a Parkinson’s home care service in order to remain in the comfort of your own home with the peace of mind that a dedicated, professional live-in carer is there to offer support for your daily routines.
Whilst we take a personal and tailored approach to Parkinson’s care at home, our care team also use their knowledge and experience of the different stages of Parkinson’s disease to suggest ways in which we can help.
As dedicated care professionals we work with family, nurses, your local authority (if necessary) and other professionals to ensure there has been a care needs assessment and that the right support plan is in place.
Parkinson’s is a complex, progressive disease and can affect people in very different ways. People affected can display both motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.
The motor symptoms are easier to monitor. A tremor, loss of balance, or freezing of the muscles often begins suddenly and can be distressing for the person affected. We help to rebuild the confidence of those in our care so they can overcome the practical challenges that these changes bring about.
This is a progressive neurological condition so there are also non-motor symptoms. These are less obvious, but can have a bigger impact, as they affect how a person feels and thinks.
These indicators will often emerge prior to the more physical symptoms. Understanding and recognising these allows us to provide both emotional and practical support from the outset. And as the disease progresses, the care we offer can be adapted to your needs, from a few hours a day to longer periods, including providing 24-hour live-in care in liaison with healthcare professionals.
We’re here to listen to your concerns and hear about the mental and physical changes you’ve observed. If you wish, we can liaise with your specialist medical professionals on your behalf. Please contact us if you need support. You don’t need to feel that you’re muddling through on your own.
At Ashridge Home Care, our carers are specially trained in a variety of different conditions, providing care and support for dementia, cerebral palsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis. If your loved one has recently experienced a stroke or requires rehabilitation care, we can support them in their recovery.
We can also provide palliative care if they’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness to help make their life comfortable and peaceful. If you’re the primary carer for a loved one, we can also provide respite care to give family carers a break when needed.
This site explains the different stages of Parkinson’s well.
https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/stages#overview1
There’s lots of help and advice on the Parkinson’s UK website.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
The NHS pages provide simple explanations for family carers.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
COSTS
How much do home care services cost?
The cost of care can vary depending on your family’s individual needs and the level of care needed.
Live-in care starts at £1,650 per week. To get a more accurate idea of how much your family’s care will cost, you can contact our team, who will be able to point you to the service you need and explain the pricing structure in more detail.
The fees cover the cost of a personalised, fully managed care service, with the cost of a dedicated carer and care manager included.
HOW IT WORKS
What is the process for arranging home care?
Arranging live-in or visiting care shouldn’t be a difficult task, which is why we’ve made the process simple.
All you need to do is fill in the form or give us a call on 01494 917 344.
We’ll then get in touch with you to discuss your loved one’s needs before assigning a dedicated care manager to visit their home and create a specialised care plan. You’re under no obligation to move forward with this plan. We always make sure that everyone’s on board before proceeding. Once the tailored care plan is in place, we’ll assign a carer who we feel best aligns with your loved one’s personality and requirements.
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Parkinson’s Care at Home: Essential Facts
How Parkinson’s symptoms change throughout the day
Parkinson’s is widely recognised as the fastest growing neurological condition and affects everyone differently. But one of the specifics of the disease is that symptoms can manifest differently throughout the course of a single day. You may feel relatively mobile and independent at one point, but later need more support with movement to perform personal care or everyday tasks.
People with a Parkinson’s diagnosis often refer to these as ‘on’ and ‘off’ periods. They can look like this:
- During an ‘on’ period, medication may be working well, and movement can feel easier.
- During an ‘off’ period, symptoms such as stiffness, slowness or difficulty moving may become more noticeable.
Receiving compassionate care at home means support can be tailored to the person’s desired routine and personal needs rather than their specific symptoms on that day. A professional carer will understand that there are days when you may feel stronger and days when you need more help with routine care.
This personalised approach, for those with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, can help you maintain as much independence as possible while making everyday life feel more manageable.
Medication timing and Parkinson’s disease
Taking medication at the right time can be particularly important for someone living with Parkinson’s. Many medications are advised to be taken within 30 minutes of the usual time; whatever that may be for you. Taking them later than planned can sometimes mean symptoms become more difficult to manage.
This can be difficult to manage if you’re having an ‘off’ day or if there are any other underlying conditions involved, like dementia. Sometimes, simply having many different medications to remember can make it difficult to keep track of everything.
At home Parkinson’s care can ensure that a prescribed medication timetable is followed and pills are administered in line with the doctor’s plans. For families, this can provide valuable reassurance that an important part of their loved one’s daily routine is being carefully supported. So do seek support if you or a loved one need reassurance and practical help.
How to navigate changes to physical ability
Changes in movement are among the better-known effects of Parkinson’s. As the condition progresses, a person may experience stiffness, slower movement, changes in balance, or periods of ‘freezing’, when they temporarily find it difficult to start or continue moving.
These experiences can affect confidence as much as physical ability. Someone worried about falling may begin avoiding activities they previously enjoyed or become more reluctant to leave the house. These worries aren’t unfounded. Parkinson’s UK submitted submitted evidence to the Health and Social Care Select Committee in 2025 stating that 40% – 70% of people with the condition experience at least one fall each year, with around one third experiencing repeated falls.
However, movement and exercise are especially vital for managing Parkinson’s disease. A carer can help ensure that you or your loved one continues to stay active while reducing the risk of falls.
How live-in carers support mobility, freezing and the risk of falls
With Parkinson’s care in your own home, professional carers can provide support by:
- assisting when moving around the home where there are mobility issues
- helping with safe transfers, such as getting in and out of a chair
- keeping commonly used areas free from unnecessary obstacles
- supporting mobility techniques and exercises recommended by a physiotherapist
- accompanying on walks, appointments or trips within the local community
- providing reassurance if a freezing episode occurs
- noticing changes in mobility and reporting concerns where appropriate
The aim of care at home is always to help you or your loved one to continue doing as much as they can safely do for themselves, with assistance available when needed, including with daily care, personal care, household tasks and meal preparation. In addition to Parkinson’s home care, we also provide respite care when family carers need a short break.
Support with eating and drinking
As Parkinson’s progresses, everyday activities such as eating and drinking become more difficult. Slower or weaker movement and coordination can make using cutlery frustrating, or you may find that chewing food takes longer. Parkinson’s can also affect swallowing in some people.
Carers can provide all the support necessary – whether that’s preparing suitable meals, giving you or your loved one plenty of time to eat, helping with the use of adapted utensils where recommended, and encouraging appropriate hydration.
Parkinson’s home care provides help with communication
Communication abilities can also change in the more advanced stages of the disease. A person’s voice may become quieter, or their speech may take longer, even though they know exactly what they want to say.
Our carers receive excellent training so they understand the importance of patience. Allowing someone enough time to express themselves, listening carefully and reducing unnecessary distractions can help conversations be more comfortable and maintain the person’s confidence.
Above all, we continue to communicate directly with the person receiving care and make sure they remain involved in decisions about their own life. This personalised approach is just one of the benefits of Parkinson’s home care rather than a residential care home.
Supporting the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition and, as such, does not only affect movement. Non-motor symptoms can also have a significant impact on someone’s daily life and, in some cases, may be less immediately visible to the people around them.
Depending on the individual person living with Parkinson’s, progressive changes can impact:
- sleep and fatigue
- mood and anxiety
- memory or concentration
- confidence and motivation
- social interaction and relationships
Having a familiar carer available can provide both practical and emotional support. This might mean adjusting the pace of the day when your loved one is particularly tired, offering reassurance when they are anxious, helping them maintain established routines or simply providing patient companionship.
Because carers may spend considerable time with you or your loved one at home, they may also notice small changes in behaviour, mood or everyday abilities. Where appropriate, these observations can be shared with you, your family or the relevant healthcare professionals so that changing needs can be addressed.
Our focus is always on seeing the person rather than simply the condition, helping you continue to enjoy the routines, relationships, and activities that matter to you.
Working alongside Parkinson’s care professionals
Good care for someone with Parkinson’s often involves several different care professionals and sometimes your local authority, particularly as someone’s needs change.
Depending on the individual, their wider care team might include their GP, a Parkinson’s nurse, a consultant, a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, or a dietitian. Home care works alongside this professional support rather than replacing it.
For example, a physiotherapist may recommend specific approaches to movement, an occupational therapist may suggest changes around the home, or a speech and language therapist may provide guidance on communication or swallowing.
With your permission, we can work with relevant professionals so that appropriate recommendations are reflected in the compassionate care we provide. We ensure you have the best overall health and well being possible and make life easier in your own home environment. Home care is a flexible service that allows people living with Parkinson’s to remain in the familiar environment of their own home instead of moving into residential care.
Having this joined-up approach and continuous support helps ensure everyone involved understands you or your loved one’s needs, routines and goals. So you receive the best possible care. It can also make it easier to recognise when something has changed, and a care plan may need to be reviewed.