Overlapping entries plot out Uncle Jim’s web of appointments, therapies and activities. Colour-coding helps delineate his needs from that of his nephew, niece, brother and sister-in-law — family turned caregivers as Jim’s Parkinson’s disease progressed over the last two years.
“Jim’s had a marked decline since he moved in with us in October 2022,” says Janice. She’s known Jim since marrying his brother in the early 2000s and she’s never seen him quite like this. “It’s not just Jim’s mobility that’s affected. He’s gone through a lot changes, and he moves back and forth between bouts of anxiety, confusion and depression.”
At 62, Jim’s life has changed dramatically since his Parkinson’s diagnosis. He lived independently in Western Canada for the first few years. But as his condition worsened, Jim moved back East to a leafy enclave in Montreal’s western suburbs, where he relies on family to navigate daily life.
“In the beginning, we were doing everything ourselves. But balancing Jim’s needs against the kids, our parents, work… it was a lot. We now need about 60 hours of support from outside caregivers every single week just to keep Jim safe and cared for here, in our home,” says Janice.
Together, they’ve created a comprehensive plan to keep Jim as active as possible. A personal trainer visits the house several times a week. Caregivers make sure Jim gets out for a daily walk around the block. Meanwhile, Janice drives Jim to yoga classes, physiotherapy sessions and regular visits to his neurologist — as well as a host of other specialists.
“He needs a little bit of everything in order to live well at home,” Janice says. “We couldn’t do it without caregiver support at this stage, though. This is an intense experience, and it takes all of us to ensure Jim has what he needs to feel safe and, hopefully, happy.”
Parkinson’s is now the fastest growing neurodegenerative brain disorder in the world
More than 30 people in Canada are diagnosed with Parkinson’s every single day. That means more than 100,000 people are living with this complex brain disease from coast to coast to coast. Parkinson’s is typically associated with its most common symptoms — tremor, slowness, stiffness, impaired balance and muscle rigidity. But a wide range of non-motor symptoms (notably cognitive changes, depression, difficulty swallowing) are also part and parcel of Parkinson’s, which feels increasingly prevalent within caregiving circles.
“We are definitely fielding many more questions about Parkinson’s disease from potential clients than we have in the past,” says Joey Taylor, General Manager of TheKey Montreal. “Because it affects so many different aspects of physical and mental wellbeing, families are looking for a well-rounded approach to care. They need a plan that’s holistic and can go beyond medication delivery to actually help manage the symptoms.”
Tapping into comprehensive Parkinson’s care in Montreal and beyond
As a leading in-home, senior and elder care provider in Montreal, Taylor says TheKey’s Balanced Care Method is a natural fit for anyone coping the condition: “Parkinson’s care requires an individualized approach. No two people experience Parkinson’s in the exact same way. Through our Balanced Care method, our caregivers are trained to understand the individual client’s specific needs. They work with the family to build a care plan that’s tailored for that person.”
Whether that means weaving physical therapy (for mobility, flexibility and balance) into the daily routine, supervising occupational therapy sessions with a specialist or finding suitable ways to exercise muscles and joints, the goal is always to improve health and well-being overall.
“You can live with Parkinson’s disease for many years,” says Taylor. “Through our caregiving, we want to make sure that the Parkinson’s clients we work with maintain the best possible health throughout that time, and that they feel fulfilled, happy and well. This our goal.”
That resonates with Janice, who works with a caregiving team to evolve Jim’s care plans in line with his changing needs. Some days, that means taking a stroll to catch the sunset in their lakeside town. Other times, it means baking a loaf of banana bread together in the familiar warmth of their kitchen. Balance is everything.
“There may not be a cure for Parkinson’s yet,” adds Janice. “But there are a lot of care options out there to help us manage Jim’s symptoms. This makes all the difference in his quality of life, and in our family’s wellbeing, too.”