Living well with Parkinson’s: How Visiting Care Supports Gertrude at Home

When we first met Gertrude*, her husband had reached out for support as her needs became more complex and his own health was deteriorating. Gertrude lives with Parkinson’s, which has significantly impacted her mobility and confidence when moving around her home.

The Challenge

Although she could take a few steps with a walker, this was becoming unsafe. Transfers between bed, chair, and bathroom required careful support, and there was a growing risk of falls. Alongside this, Gertrude needed support with personal care, dressing, and managing her physical health, including circulation issues in her legs.

At the same time, previous support from a local nursing team had been inconsistent, leaving a clear need for a more consistent and relationship-led approach.

Our Approach

We began with a detailed consultation and took time to understand not just Gertrude’s needs, but also her routines, preferences, and what mattered most to her.

A consistent Health & Wellbeing Associate was introduced, allowing a trusting relationship to develop. This continuity became a cornerstone of Gertrude’s support.

Together, we:

• Introduced safer mobility and transfer techniques, including the use of a wheelchair and appropriate equipment

• Established a reliable, familiar routine, and supported with household tasks like changing the bed

• Provided care & support, including showering, dressing, and mobilising

• Paid close attention to the extra details, from understanding her hobbies and interests to how she likes her coffee made

• Created space for meaningful conversation and emotional support

Importantly, our approach balanced practical support with emotional understanding, ensuring Gertrude felt respected, not rushed, and always involved in her own care.

The Outcome

Today, Gertrude benefits from a consistent routine and the reassurance of seeing a familiar face she trusts.

The impact for Gertrude:

• She is safer, with improved support around mobility and transfers

• She is more settled, thanks to a predictable and supportive daily rhythm

• She is understood, with time to talk openly and build a genuine connection

• She is more in control, maintaining her dignity and independence in her own home

For her family, this has brought peace of mind during an incredibly challenging time. Knowing Gertrude has trusted, relationship-centred support in place has made a meaningful difference to the time they spend together, and they can take a step back from some of the caring responsibilities.

While support is currently in place a few times a week, there is potential to build on this, ensuring Gertrude continues to live at home, safely and well, with the right level of support around her.

If you'd like to know more about our Visiting Care service, get in touch with us today.

*Name changed to protect privacy.