CareMAP: Managing Advanced Parkinson's

Let CareMAP be your guide to coping with the complex problems that arise as a result of advanced PD. How-to videos and caregiver stories provide both practical and personal tips on the following topics:

• Activities at Home
  • Simple ways to help a loved one with Parkinson's stay physically, mentally and socially engaged at home, including movement, speech practice, memory prompts, music, nature-based activities and other meaningful daily routines that support quality of life and reduce frustration.
• Bathroom Part 1
  • Bathroom safety tips for people with Parkinson's and their care partners, including ways to reduce fall risk, improve visibility, use grab bars and elevated toilet seats and make toileting, bathing and daily hygiene routines safer and easier.
• Bathroom Part 2
  • How Parkinson's affects the bowels, bladder and oral care, with tips for managing incontinence, constipation, nighttime bathroom needs, hydration, skin care and dental hygiene at home.
• Caring From Afar
  • Long-distance caregiving for a loved one with Parkinson's, including changes in independence, travel safety, emotional support and knowing when familiar activities may need to be adjusted for comfort and well-being.
• Changes Around The House Part 1
  • Home safety tips for reducing fall risk and making daily movement easier for people with Parkinson's, with guidance on flooring, throw rugs, lighting, furniture placement, visual cues for freezing and clutter-free walkways.
• Changes Around the House Part 2
  • More ways to make the home safer and more comfortable for someone with Parkinson's, from stair safety and bathroom modifications to communication systems, door alarms, meaningful objects, music and other simple changes that support safety and quality of life.
• Dressing
  • Practical tips for helping someone with advancing Parkinson's get dressed more safely and comfortably, including choosing adaptive clothing, timing dressing around medication "on" periods, sitting to reduce fall risk and encouraging independence.
• End of Life Care
  • A care partner shares their experience with late-stage Parkinson's care, including feeding tube decisions, skilled nursing and hospice support. Their story shows how a stable care team, family involvement and supportive services can help.
• Mealtime and Swallowing Part 1
  • Tips for making mealtimes safer and less stressful for people with advancing Parkinson's, including adaptive utensils and cups, medication timing, posture, food texture, swallowing support, feeding assistance and ways to maintain independence while eating.
• Mealtime and Swallowing Part 2
  • Guidance on advanced Parkinson's nutrition and swallowing concerns, including dehydration, weight loss, high-calorie foods and drinks, medication swallowing, protein interactions, speech-language pathology evaluations and feeding tube considerations.
• Medications and General Health Part 1
  • Taking Parkinson's medications on time is key to managing symptoms. This video covers medication organization, pill reminders, swallowing challenges, what medications not to crush and how care partners can prepare for hospital or emergency room visits.
• Medications and General Health Part 2
  • This video covers when sudden symptom changes may signal illness, skin care, melanoma risk, pressure sore prevention, pain management, stress reduction and safe use of over-the-counter medications.
• Movement and Falls Part 1
  • Guidance for helping someone with Parkinson's move more safely during daily transfers, including standing from a chair, sitting down with control, using transfer belts, improving chair setup and working with a physical or occupational therapist to reduce injury risk.
• Movement and Falls Part 2
  • Help with walking challenges in advancing Parkinson's, including short shuffling steps, freezing of gait and balance changes, plus simple movement cues, assistive devices, wheelchair considerations and how care partners can respond safely if a fall occurs.
• Plans & Scheduling Part 1
  • Organization and routines can reduce daily stress when caring for someone with Parkinson's. This video walks through care schedules, medication timing, rest breaks, organizing household items, emergency contacts, appointment calendars, shopping lists and small systems that make daily caregiving tasks easier to manage.
• Plans & Scheduling Part 2
  • For care partners managing advanced Parkinson's, planning ahead makes daily life and future care decisions easier — from organizing medical information and preparing for emergencies to understanding care options, holding family conversations and continuing meaningful traditions with loved ones.
• Prioritizing Health Needs of the Care Partner
  • Care partners need support, rest and time for themselves to provide the best possible care. This video addresses the emotional and physical toll of caregiving, the importance of sleep, guilt-free breaks, laughter and self-care while supporting someone with Parkinson's.
• Rest and Sleep Part 1
  • Parkinson's symptoms can disrupt sleep for both the person with Parkinson's and their care partner. This video covers bed setup, separate sleeping arrangements, call buttons or monitors, mattress height, bed rails and ways to make rolling and repositioning easier.
• Rest and Sleep Part 2
  • Tips for safer nights with Parkinson's, including getting in and out of bed, reducing morning stiffness, improving the path to the bathroom, managing nighttime incontinence and creating a restful sleep environment.
• Thinking Changes Part 1
  • Parkinson's can affect memory, judgment, communication and daily routines. Strategies include reducing confusion, using simple cues, limiting distractions, supporting decision-making and recognizing when thinking changes may create safety concerns.
• Thinking Changes Part 2
  • Advanced Parkinson's can bring more challenging thinking and behavior changes — hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, personality changes, apathy and dementia. Care partners can learn to respond calmly and keep daily activities familiar and meaningful.
• Travel and Transportation Part 1
  • Leaving home with advanced Parkinson's often takes extra planning for safer outings. That can mean scheduling around medication timing and energy levels, packing essentials, improving home exits, car transfer support, seat belt tools and transporting walkers or wheelchairs.
• Travel and Transportation Part 2
  • For longer trips or more complex transportation needs, preparation can make outings safer and less stressful. Topics include medical transportation services, wheelchair-accessible travel, scheduling and pickup planning, air travel, accessible destinations and shorter visits to manage fatigue.
• Where to Find Help
  • Support for Parkinson's caregivers can come from many places, including adult day programs, neighbors, friends, family, volunteers, faith communities and therapy providers. This video highlights how outside help and meaningful activities can provide stimulation for the person with Parkinson’s and give care partners needed time for themselves.