Living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) presents daily challenges for both patients and their families. Symptoms like tremors, muscle stiffness, and balance issues can make routine tasks difficult and increase the risk of falls. However, with the right in-home support and care plan, individuals with Parkinson’s can maintain their independence and quality of life in the comfort of their own homes. In this post, we explore how BrightStar Care of Bel Air, MD – an award-winning, Joint Commission accredited home care provider – helps people with Parkinson’s live safely and well at home through compassionate personal care, skilled nursing, and therapeutic services (2020 Home Care Pule Awards(Opens in a new window)). We’ll also highlight the importance of fall prevention, the benefits of a full continuum of care (including physical, occupational, and speech therapy), and local community resources like Harford GAIN and the Maryland Association for Parkinson’s Support that can further enhance at-home care.
Understanding the Challenges of Parkinson’s at Home
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and cognition. As the disease progresses, everyday activities such as walking, bathing, or eating may become more challenging. One major concern is fall risk – in fact, around 60% of people with Parkinson’s disease fall each year, and these falls can have a serious impact on mobility and independence (Fall Prevention in Parkinson’s | Parkinson's Foundation(Opens in a new window)). Parkinson’s can cause shuffling gait, freezing episodes, and changes in blood pressure that contribute to unsteadiness (Fall Prevention in Parkinson’s | Parkinson's Foundation(Opens in a new window)). Over time, muscle weakness and fear of falling can further reduce a person’s activity level, creating a cycle that actually increases fall risk if not addressed (Elderly Fall Prevention | BrightStar Care(Opens in a new window)). Managing PD at home requires not only assisting with daily tasks, but also proactively addressing safety hazards and health needs to keep the individual as active and independent as possible.
The Importance of In-Home Care for Independence and Comfort
In-home care plays a crucial role in helping those with Parkinson’s maintain their independence and dignity. Rather than moving to a facility, individuals can receive support while staying in familiar surroundings. Personal care assistants from BrightStar Care of Bel Air help with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation. This assistance is always delivered with compassion and respect, so clients feel comfortable and retain a sense of control over their routine. Caregivers can also provide mobility support – for example, helping someone with Parkinson’s move safely around the house or practice gentle exercises, which keeps them active and engaged. Families often find that having a trained caregiver at home not only improves their loved one’s daily functioning, but also provides much-needed respite and peace of mind for family members. By handling day-to-day needs and monitoring the client’s well-being, in-home care allows older adults with Parkinson’s to age in place and continue living life on their own terms.
BrightStar Care’s commitment to quality care means that services are flexible and tailored to each person’s needs. Whether a family requires a few hours of help each day or 24/7 care, BrightStar Care of Bel Air delivers “award winning, 24/7 to hourly” service backed by Joint Commission quality standards (2020 Home Care Pule Awards(Opens in a new window)). This accreditation from The Joint Commission – a nationally recognized healthcare quality organization – signifies that BrightStar meets rigorous safety and care standards (the same standards that top hospitals follow) (Award Winning Home Care | BrightStar Care(Opens in a new window)). For our clients, it means greater confidence that their loved one is receiving the best possible care at home.
Skilled Nursing Care and RN-Led Oversight
One of the distinguishing features of BrightStar Care is our RN-led approach. Every client’s care is overseen by a Registered Nurse who develops and updates a personalized Plan of Care (Elderly Fall Prevention | BrightStar Care(Opens in a new window)). For a person with Parkinson’s, an RN will assess their health status, medications, and risks, then coordinate the appropriate services. Skilled nursing care is available in the home to assist with medical needs such as medication management, injections, wound care, or monitoring of symptoms and vital signs. Parkinson’s often requires careful timing of medications (like levodopa) to manage symptoms; a BrightStar nurse can ensure doses are taken on schedule and watch for side effects or changes in condition. The nurse also educates family caregivers on what to expect as the disease progresses and what warning signs to watch for.
(How to Adapt Your Home If You Have Parkinson’s | Johns Hopkins Medicine(Opens in a new window)) A BrightStar Care nurse evaluates home safety with a client, demonstrating a device to improve safety.
Having an RN lead the care means there is a knowledgeable professional who can adjust the care plan as needs change and make sure that all caregivers (and other healthcare providers) are working in sync. If the client’s neurologist updates the treatment plan or if there’s a hospitalization, the BrightStar nurse can help smoothly integrate those changes into the at-home care routine. This kind of vigilant oversight not only keeps the client healthier but can also prevent complications. In fact, BrightStar Care’s commitment to clinical quality and RN oversight helps keep loved ones safe at home and can even prevent avoidable hospital readmissions (Award Winning Home Care | BrightStar Care). With Parkinson’s, where conditions can change over time, having an RN managing care ensures no detail is overlooked in supporting the person’s health and comfort.
Preventing Falls and Ensuring Safety at Home
Preventing falls is a top priority in Parkinson’s care – both for safety and for maintaining confidence. BrightStar Care of Bel Air takes fall prevention seriously through our “Focus on Falls” initiative (Elderly Fall Prevention | BrightStar Care(Opens in a new window)). Upon starting services, a Registered Nurse conducts a thorough fall risk assessment of the client and their home environment. Any risk factors identified (for example, unsteady gait, history of falls, or tripping hazards in the home) are addressed in a customized fall prevention plan as part of the overall care plan. Our RN will often recommend simple home modifications and safety equipment to greatly reduce fall hazards. This may include removing loose rugs, creating wide, clutter-free walking pathways, installing grab bars in the bathroom, improving lighting in dim areas, and ensuring commonly used items are within easy reach. According to national patient safety guidelines, improving environmental safety – like adding grab bars and railings – is an essential strategy for fall prevention. BrightStar adheres to these National Patient Safety Goals on fall prevention, which is one benefit of being Joint Commission accredited and following best-in-class safety practices.
Our fall prevention care plan goes beyond the home safety checklist. BrightStar caregivers engage clients in individualized exercises and activities to improve strength, balance, and coordination, as approved by the care team. For a person with Parkinson’s, this might involve guided stretching, practicing getting up from a chair safely, or exercises recommended by a physical therapist. These exercises are tailored to the person’s abilities and are designed to build confidence and reduce the fear of falling. The RN supervisor periodically re-assesses the client’s balance and mobility, updating the plan as needed and monitoring progress. This proactive approach addresses a critical issue: many seniors who have had a fall become fearful and less active, which can actually decrease fitness and increase fall risk. By keeping clients safely active and working on strength and balance, BrightStar Care helps break that cycle.
Equally important, our team understands the chronic nature of Parkinson’s disease and its impact on fall risk. Parkinson’s symptoms like freezing (sudden inability to move) or dizziness from blood pressure drops can be frightening and lead to falls (Fall Prevention in Parkinson’s | Parkinson's Foundation(Opens in a new window)). BrightStar caregivers are specially trained and competency-tested to care for people with chronic conditions like Parkinson’s. They know how to assist during a freezing episode, how to use transfer techniques or mobility aids properly, and how to encourage safe movement. With a nurse on call to advise and a dedicated care team in the home, potential problems can be caught early. For example, if a caregiver notices the client’s walking has become slower or more unsteady, they can alert the RN, who might then coordinate a physical therapy re-evaluation or a medication review with the doctor. This vigilant, team-based approach greatly mitigates fall risks and creates a safer home environment for our clients.
A Full Continuum of Care: Therapy Services at Home
An advantage of in-home care with BrightStar Care is access to a full continuum of services – not just personal care and nursing, but also rehabilitative therapies. For a person with Parkinson’s, therapy services like Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Speech Therapy can be game-changers in maintaining function and quality of life. BrightStar Care of Bel Air can coordinate in-home therapy through our skilled care services and local partners, bringing these important services right to the client’s living room.
(Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies | Parkinson's Foundation(Opens in a new window)) With in-home physical therapy, individuals with Parkinson’s work on exercises to improve balance, gait, and strength under professional guidance.
Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, balance, and mobility. A physical therapist can design exercise routines – including gait training, leg strengthening, and balance exercises – that help a person with Parkinson’s walk more steadily and confidently. Research has shown that targeted physical therapy and regular exercise may slow the progression of Parkinson’s motor symptoms and even improve quality of life. By doing PT at home, clients don’t have to travel to a clinic, and therapists can actually assess and work within the person’s real home environment (practicing on the stairs they use daily, for example). This makes the training immediately practical and tailored to the individual’s living situation.
Occupational therapy is another key service for Parkinson’s care at home. Occupational therapists help people adapt how they perform daily tasks so they can remain as independent as possible. For someone with PD, an OT might teach energy-saving techniques, recommend adaptive utensils for eating (to counter hand tremors), or suggest modifications in the kitchen and bathroom to make self-care easier. The goal is to enable the person to keep engaging in the activities and hobbies that give them joy and purpose, despite any physical limitations. Even small changes – like using a shower chair or a bed rail – can greatly improve safety and independence in daily routines.
Speech therapy (often provided by a Speech-Language Pathologist) is also very valuable for Parkinson’s patients. Parkinson’s can affect the voice (making it softer and harder to project) and can impact swallowing or cognitive function. A speech therapist working in-home can do exercises to improve voice volume and clarity, teach strategies to handle swallowing difficulties safely, and even provide cognitive stimulation activities. This not only helps with communication and reduces choking risks, but also boosts the person’s confidence in social interactions. Many clients find that speech therapy exercises (like big voice training or facial muscle exercises) are easier to practice consistently when a therapist comes to their home and involves family members in the training.
By having a therapy team come to the home, BrightStar Care offers truly comprehensive care. The collaboration between our nurses, caregivers, and therapists means all aspects of the client’s well-being are addressed. For example, if the physical therapist notices increased rigidity or a change in walking pattern, they can inform the nurse, who might discuss medication timing with the physician. This integrated care model ensures that the individual with Parkinson’s gets the right help at the right time, maximizing their ability to live well at home. As the Parkinson’s Foundation notes, rehabilitation services (PT, OT, and speech) can prevent injuries and should ideally be introduced early and revisited regularly throughout the disease. BrightStar Care’s full continuum of care makes this possible, helping clients maintain mobility, handle daily tasks independently, and stay connected with their loved ones.
Local Community Support: Harford GAIN and Parkinson’s Resources
Caring for someone with Parkinson’s at home is a team effort that goes beyond the healthcare professionals – it also includes community support. BrightStar Care of Bel Air, MD is deeply connected with local organizations and resources that can benefit our clients and their families. Two notable partnerships are with Harford GAIN and the Maryland Association for Parkinson’s Support (MAPS), including their Rock Steady Boxing program.
Harford G.A.I.N. (Geriatric Assistance and Information Network) is a local Harford County network of individuals, agencies, and businesses dedicated to serving seniors and caregivers (Harford County's Geriatric Assistance and Information Network(Opens in a new window)). BrightStar Care of Bel Air is a proud member of Harford GAIN, collaborating with other senior care professionals in the community. Through this network, we stay informed about resources like senior centers, educational events, respite programs, and more. For example, Harford GAIN organizes an annual county caregiving conference and other events that provide valuable information and support to families. By tapping into this network, BrightStar can quickly connect our Parkinson’s clients and their families with helpful community services – whether it’s finding a local support group, obtaining durable medical equipment, or accessing transportation options in Harford County. It ensures that our clients never feel alone; they are part of a broader community effort to support seniors’ well-being.
We also work closely with organizations specifically focused on Parkinson’s disease. The Maryland Association for Parkinson’s Support (MAPS) is a statewide non-profit that provides free programs and services for those affected by Parkinson’s (Maryland Association for Parkinson's Support (MAPS). MAPS’s mission is to encourage healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients and their care partners. One of the exciting programs MAPS supports is Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) – a specialized exercise program designed for people with Parkinson’s. RSB involves non-contact boxing-inspired workouts that improve agility, balance, coordination, and strength. In Rock Steady classes, participants might do footwork drills, punch punching bags, and practice other boxing exercises – but in this case, Parkinson’s disease is the opponent they are fighting (Rock Steady Boxing at the YMCA Helps Those with Parkinson’s Disease - Chestertown Spy(Opens in a new window)). This innovative form of exercise has gained popularity because it’s not only empowering and fun, but also evidence-based. Exercise programs like Rock Steady Boxing have been shown to slow the progression of Parkinson’s symptoms and improve participants’ confidence and motor function.
BrightStar Care of Bel Air frequently refers clients to local MAPS-supported programs like Rock Steady Boxing, knowing how beneficial they can be as a complement to in-home care. There are now multiple Rock Steady Boxing classes in Maryland – including in nearby counties and even plans for classes in Harford County to meet the growing demand. These classes, along with other MAPS offerings (such as Pedaling for Parkinson’s cycling classes and vocal therapy groups), are free of charge to participants. They provide a wonderful opportunity for our clients to get out of the house, engage in vigorous exercise tailored to PD, and meet others in the Parkinson’s community. We have seen how attending a weekly boxing class or support group can lift a client’s spirits, reduce isolation, and give them a sense of camaraderie with peers. As a home care agency that values holistic well-being, we encourage involvement in such community programs while we continue to support the client at home. Together with partners like MAPS and Harford GAIN, we aim to surround our clients and families with a supportive network of care.
Enhancing Quality of Life with Compassionate Care
Managing Parkinson’s disease at home is a journey that comes with ups and downs, but no family has to navigate it alone. With BrightStar Care of Bel Air MD’s compassionate, professional guidance, individuals with Parkinson’s can continue to live safely and with dignity in the place they love. Our caregivers approach each client with empathy and patience, taking the time to build trust and understand each person’s unique needs and preferences. We know that little things – like honoring a client’s daily routine or listening to their stories – make a big difference in preserving their sense of self and happiness.
By combining personal care assistance, skilled nursing oversight, and therapeutic exercises, BrightStar Care creates a comprehensive care plan that addresses the whole person. The outcome is not just improved safety or health metrics, but true quality of life improvements: clients maintain their hobbies and routines, avoid complications, stay connected with family, and feel valued and supported every day. Family caregivers, in turn, gain relief and confidence that their loved one is in capable and caring hands.
If you are in the Bel Air or Harford County area and caring for someone with Parkinson’s (or have a loved one newly diagnosed), know that help is available. From fall prevention strategies to specialized therapy programs and community resources, there are many ways to make life at home safer and more fulfilling for someone with PD. BrightStar Care of Bel Air, MD is here to help you put those solutions into action. Our team would be happy to discuss your situation, answer your questions, and develop a personalized care plan that meets your family’s needs.
Contact BrightStar Care of Bel Air Today!
BrightStar Care of Bel Air is here to provide you with the resources and support you need to take care of Yourself or your loved one. We understand the challenges faced and are committed to providing compassionate care that meets the needs of those we serve. If you would like more information about our services, please visit our website or call us today at 443-601-9200. It will be a pleasure to meet you and your family, and we look forward to providing you with the care and support you need. Come visit us at 2815 Belair Rd, Suite 103, Fallston, MD 21047(Opens in a new window). Hopefully, we’ll hear from you soon!