## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Resources & Support](/resources-support) - [Parkinson's Today Blog](/resources-support/blog) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Resources & Support](/resources-support) - [Parkinson's Today Blog](/resources-support/blog) Caregiving Topics # 5 Care Partner Tips for Managing Mid-Stride Parkinson’s Symptoms Feb 10, 2022 ![Couple dancing](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/fivecarepartnertips-midstride-blog.png?itok=dyeTVIwS) In the first few years of [treatment](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment "Treatment") following a diagnosis, your loved one’s Parkinson’s disease (PD) [symptoms](/understanding-parkinsons/symptoms "Symptoms") probably improved. [Medications](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications "Prescription Medications") most likely helped your loved one go about their life, continue their hobbies and social activities as they did before PD. They may have even experienced near complete control of symptoms with minimal [side effects](/library/podcast/96 "Episode 96: PD Medications and Side Effects"). Parkinson’s, however, is a progressive disease. After several years of taking [levodopa](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications/levodopa "Levodopa"), many people with Parkinson’s notice that controlling symptoms becomes more difficult. This stage of Parkinson’s disease is known as mid-stride, where new symptoms may begin to emerge at any time and can require treatment modifications. Although these changes bring adjustments to [how PD is managed,](/library/podcast/5 "Episode 5: How to Manage Parkinson’s “Off” Time") your loved one can still experience good to great quality of life with your support. Here are five tips for navigating Parkinson’s mid-stride as a care partner: ### 1. Manage medications. As Parkinson’s progresses, levodopa stays effective for shorter periods of time. When levodopa begins to lose its effect, your loved one may have periods in which symptoms are much more noticeable and movement becomes more difficult. Known as [“off” time](/library/podcast/5 "Episode 5: How to Manage Parkinson’s “Off” Time"), these [motor fluctuations](/library/fact-sheets/managing-off-time "Managing "Off" Time in Parkinson's") often result in the need for more frequent doses of medication. Download our [Medications and Schedule worksheet](/sites/default/files/documents/medication-form-fillable-2025.pdf "medication-form-fillable-2025.pdf") to keep an updated list of medications and dosage information. You may also want to set regular timers on your phone or tablet to remember when it’s time for the next dose. ### 2. Encourage exercise. Because of how Parkinson’s impacts movement, it is natural to move less as the disease progresses. However, [exercise](/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/exercise "Exercise") is still essential for people in the mid-stride stage of PD. Findings from the Parkinson’s Foundation [Parkinson’s Outcomes Project](/advancing-research/our-research/parkinsons-outcomes-project "Parkinson’s Outcomes Project") show that increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week may help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. Encourage your loved one to stay active. Help them sign up for exercise classes that benefit people with PD, like Tai Chi, yoga or boxing. Our [Fitness Friday](/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth "PD Health @ Home") series also offers at-home workouts that feature a different focus every week. Find a PD-tailored exercise class near you at [Parkinson.org/InYourArea](/your-area "In Your Area"). ![support group](/sites/default/files/styles/380x361/public/images/fivecarepartnertips-midstride-blog1.jpg?itok=kJloLCEs) ### 3. Stay social. As symptoms progress, it is common for people with Parkinson’s to socialize less often. Sometimes the person with Parkinson’s and care partner [isolate](/library/podcast/110 "Episode 110: Social Isolation and Loneliness"), withdrawing gradually from participation in the community and prior social life. Finding a [comfortable environment](/resources-support/carepartners/caring-for-self "Caring for the Care Partner") to share your thoughts and feelings about PD can make a big difference. Join a [support group](/your-area "In Your Area") in your area to connect with local members of the PD community. In addition to groups for people living with Parkinson’s, there are also support groups available for care partners. Visit our [Chapter pages](/resources-support/find-your-chapter "Find Your Chapter") or contact our [Helpline ](/resources-support/helpline "Helpline")at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for help finding a support group. ### 4. Work alongside the care team. Keeping in touch with your loved one’s PD [care team](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/building-your-team "Building Your Care Team") is especially important throughout the mid-stride stage of Parkinson’s, as symptoms may begin to progress during this time. Our [Global Care Network](/living-with-parkinsons/finding-care/global-care-network "Global Care Network") is widely recognized as the best-in-class treatment centers for Parkinson's. These designated centers offer team-based, interdisciplinary treatment and care to people with Parkinson’s. [Find expert care near you.](/your-area "In Your Area") ### 5. Take time for yourself. Remember that after several years of caring for someone with Parkinson’s, experiencing some degree of [care partner burnout](/blog/care/prevent-burnout "What You Can Do to Prevent Care Partner Burnout") is normal. Addressing these feelings as they appear is important, before they result in [compassion fatigue](/blog/care/compassion-fatigue "Compassion Fatigue as a Care Partner"). Make time outside of your caregiving duties for yourself. Whether reading a book, going for a run or painting, working [self-care](/resources-support/carepartners/caring-for-self "Caring for the Care Partner") into your care partner routine can help you keep yourself and your loved one healthy. **For more tips on how to manage Parkinson’s mid-stride, download or order our book,** [***Managing Parkinson's Mid-Stride***](/library/audiobooks/midstride "Managing PD Mid-Stride: A Treatment Guide to Parkinson's Disease") ## Related Blog Posts ![Group of senior friends laughing together outside](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/english-spa-community-grantees-blog-hero.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=QozxMYAZ) Raise Awareness ### [ How 5 Community Leaders Are Reaching Hispanic and Latino Communities ](/blog/awareness/community-grants-hispanic-latino) READ NOW ![Brittany Krzyzanowski headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/mtr-brittany-krzyzanowski-preview.jpg?h=9105c3fe&itok=eC-nucBL) Advancing Research ### [ From Golf Courses to Industrial Solvents: Meet the Researcher Investigating Parkinson's Risk ](/blog/research/meet-brittany-krzyzanowski) READ NOW ![Woman working from home with family in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/2026-science-news-6-blog-hero.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=FfSOrcf_) Science News ### [ Early-Onset Parkinson’s in Younger Adults Is Rising Worldwide, Global Study Finds ](/blog/science-news/early-onset-parkinsons-rising) READ NOW [VIEW ALL BLOGS](/resources-support/blog) ### Subscribe for the latest news - Share on Facebook - Share on X - Share on LinkedIn