Caring for Your Own Needs
As hard as you are working to care for someone else, it is really important to remember that you have needs too—caregiving can be physically and emotionally draining. It is all too easy to put your own needs at the bottom of the priority list. Try to make sure you allow yourself some respite. You will find it harder to act in the best interests of the person with Parkinson's disease if you are chronically exhausted or depressed.

Allow time for you
You cannot do everything, nor should you expect it of yourself—recognize what you can and can't do and set priorities. Allow yourself some leisure time to rest, relax, and be yourself.

Don't hesitate to turn to family members and friends for emotional support, companionship, or occasional caregiving support. As much as the person with Parkinson's disease should continue with the activities they enjoy, so should you. Try to keep up your hobbies, clubs, activities, and friendships.

While you may have to make some changes in your life, you should not put your life 'on hold.' You will have more energy and enthusiasm for your daily routine if your days still include some of the activities you enjoy doing.

Stay healthy
It is just as important that you look after your own health. Try and avoid letting yourself get run down. Moderate exercise, even just taking a walk, helps your body relax. Put exercising, or at least going out once a week, down on your checklist of things to do.

It may help to engage in some form of exercise together with the person with Parkinson's disease to make your time together enjoyable. Whenever possible try to get enough sleep every night. Too little sleep will make you feel run down and unable to cope with the stress in your life.

Caregivers can become depressed too—they may also experience feelings of sadness, fearfulness, and hopelessness. Other signs of depression may include lack of interest in regular activities, inability to sleep, lack of energy, difficulty thinking clearly, and appetite and weight changes. If you are feeling overwhelmed or in need of assistance, speak out—a counselor or medical professional may be able to help.

Take a break
If you think you need a holiday, you probably do. Take it and realize that you deserve a break from your caregiving role. When people offer to help, accept the offer and suggest specific things they can do such as house cleaning, running errands, or meal preparation.

Take advantage of respite care. A wide range of help may be available which can be provided in the home, an adult day care center or in an extended care facility. Ask your doctor about schemes available in your area. Investigate whether there are any local support groups where the person with Parkinson's disease can socialize with peers, giving you a well-deserved break.