Parkinson’s Disease For Dummies

Whether the diagnosis is yours or that of a loved one, Parkinson’s Disease for Dummies contains everything you need to know about living with this disease. This book is an easy-to-understand, straightforward, and sometimes humorous guide that offers proven techniques for coping with daily issues, finding the right doctors, and providing care as the disease progresses. This user-friendly guide helps you navigate you through the important steps toward taking charge of your condition. You aren’t alone—inside, you’ll discover proven coping skills and first-hand advice, along with practical tools that will help you navigate the treatment journey. In classic, compassionate Dummies style, Parkinson’s Disease For Dummies will answer all your questions, and guide you through the process of finding your own answers as well.

A Caregiver’s Bill of Rights

I have the right………

• To take care of myself. This is not an act of selfishness. It will give me the capability of taking better care of my relative.
• To seek help from others even though my relatives may object. I recognize the limits of my own endurance and strength.
• To maintain facets of my own life that do not include the person I care for, just as I would if he or she were healthy. I know that I do everything I reasonably can for this person, and I have the right to do some things for myself.
• To get angry, be depressed, and express other difficult feelings occasionally.
• To reject any attempts by my relatives (either conscious or unconscious) to manipulate me through guilt, and/or depression.
• To receive consideration, affection, forgiveness, and acceptance for what I do for my loved one for as long as I offer these qualities in return.
• To take pride in what I am accomplishing and to applaud the courage it has sometimes taken to meet the needs of my relative.
• To protect my individuality and my right to make a life for myself that will sustain me in the time when my relative no longer needs my full-time help.
• To expect and demand that as new strides are made in finding resources to aid physically and mentally impaired persons in our country; similar strides will be made towards aiding and supporting Caregivers.

Jo’s Caregiver Bill of Rights has been replicated and written about scores of times since the original publication. – Amanda Lambert, Certified Care Manager, Aging Life Care Professional, and National Master Guardian Emeritus.