Every single day, approximately 30 Canadians receive the news, “You have Parkinson’s.” From that day forward, symptom management, lifestyle adjustments to live well with a chronic and progressive disease and planning for the future become increasingly important. While one member of a family is living with the disease, Parkinson’s affects the entire family. Over time, family dynamics and the way you communicate, support and - sometimes - view each other, can change. New or fluctuating symptoms, shifts in responsibilities around the home, and changing safety and care needs can impact not only one’s physical health but mental health as well. Care partners can experience burnout and fatigue, and their relationships with family and friends can also be impacted.
During this webinar, Pascal Girard, Social Worker at McGill’s Movement Disorder Clinic, discussed the effect Parkinson’s may have on the relationships you have with those closest to you, and some approaches to consider when navigating these changes.
Rob Lebel, a Parkinson Canada Peer-to-Peer Program Mentor and person living with Parkinson’s, also joined us - along with his spouse, Angie - to share how Parkinson’s has impacted relationships with those close to him and strategies they use to strengthen those bonds… because Family Matters.