Making the colder months easier for those with Parkinson’s disease

The colder months can be a challenge for most, but for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease, they can bring additional hurdles. From navigating icy paths to coping with increased muscle stiffness, the colder months can affect both physical and emotional well-being. However, with thoughtful care and support, this time of year can also be an opportunity to enrich lives and create moments of comfort and joy. 

[For those with Parkinson’s, cold weather can exacerbate muscle stiffness and joint pain, making everyday movements more difficult and uncomfortable. Shorter days and limited sunlight can also contribute to feelings of isolation, fatigue, and depression. Ice, snow and rain increase the risk of falls, while the effort to stay warm can be taxing on already strained energy levels. 

However, it's important to try to take the positives from any situation. Simple pleasures such as enjoying a warm, hearty meal, participating in light indoor exercises, or sharing stories by the fire can foster connection and improve one's mood. Tailored care during these colder seasons can make all the difference in transforming challenges into opportunities for comfort and enrichment. 

Tips for making the colder days easier 

Here are a few ways to make the colder seasons more manageable and enjoyable for those with Parkinson’s: 

• Stay warm and comfortable: Ensure that the home is well-heated and draft-free, and dress in layers to retain warmth. Soft, easy-to-wear clothing can simplify dressing and make movement easier.  

• Encourage safe movement: Use mobility aids and anti-slip footwear to reduce the risk of falls and trips. Clear walkways of snow and ice to create safe outdoor spaces. Interior and exterior handrails can be especially helpful in the rainy seasons! 

• Engage in gentle exercise: Light stretching or prescribed indoor exercises can help maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness. Encourage activities that are enjoyable and not overly strenuous. 

• Provide nutritious, warming meals: Cooking meals that are easy to eat and tailored to dietary preferences, with an emphasis on soups, stews, and other warming dishes keep morale up in the long dragging months before spring. 

• Offer emotional support: Combat isolation by fostering social interaction. Simple acts such as sharing a cup of tea, watching the Telly together, or engaging in a favourite hobby can brighten the day! 

• Create a cosy environment: Surrounding your loved one with familiar comforts such as their favourite blanket, music, or cherished photos can create a sense of warmth and security when it’s gloomy outside. 

The Benefits of Live-In Care from Consultus 

For families seeking support during the winter months and beyond, live-in care offers a lifeline. At Consultus Care and Nursing, our approach focuses on enriching lives and ensuring that each client receives personalised, compassionate care tailored to their needs. 

Our live-in carers provide assistance with essential daily tasks, such as personal care, medication management, and mobility support. Beyond this, we offer companionship, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. By staying in the comfort of their own homes, those with Parkinson’s can maintain their independence while enjoying familiar surroundings and routines. 

Here’s why live-in care from Consultus can make a difference: 

Established and trusted - For over 60 years we have been trusted by families to provide the highest standards of live-in care and nursing care at home, with a reputation built on recommendation. We continue to be a family-owned and managed business, which means our focus is on the quality of our service, not on meeting investors’ expectations. 

Choice and control -   Across our three live-in care services we offer families choice and flexibility.  We know that every family’s circumstances are different, so once we match you with a perfect carer, you can either manage the care arrangement yourself, or we can manage it for you through our registered service, which is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).    

Exceptional care for life - From respite care, through to on-going live-in care to nursing care at home, choosing Consultus Care and Nursing means you do not need to move out of your home to get the care you need.  We know continuity of care, in the place you love most, offers families much-needed peace of mind.  

Accredited market leading training -  Unlike other care agencies, all our carers receive our market leading training, endorsed by Skills for Care for its excellence.  This means carers are skilled and experienced to deliver high quality care our clients expect. Nurses also have access to our training, and we support and invest in their on-going professional development. 

Clinical oversight - Our live-in care and nursing service is overseen by our qualified registered nurses, who support our teams to ensure we can effectively help those living with complex conditions to live well at home.