This November, during National Family Caregivers Month, Caregiver Action Network’s Plug-in to Care campaign focuses on helping caregivers connect to the right resources at the right time. For those caring for someone, connection is especially important—whether to trusted information, supportive communities, or caregiver self-care tools.

The Caregiver’s Role

Caregivers provide critical support for people living with movement disorders, where motor and cognitive symptoms can make daily tasks challenging. They often assist with mobility, medication management, transportation, and scheduling medical appointments. In addition, caregivers offer emotional support as their loved ones experience changes in independence. Their involvement is critical to maintaining quality of life for individuals with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, and others.

Movement Disorder

Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know

Anticipating Cognitive and Behavioral Changes

It is important for caregivers to understand that emotional and cognitive changes are often part of movement disorders, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and sometimes cognitive decline. This can place a heavy burden on caregivers as well, making it essential that they seek professional support when needed.

Keeping Your Loved One Safe

Patients with movement disorders are at higher risk for falls, choking, involuntary movements, and injuries related to tremors, so caregivers should be mindful of safety and mobility challenges.

Managing Medications

In addition, many conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, rely on specific timing of medications to control symptoms, so caregivers involved in managing prescriptions must pay close attention to schedules and potential side effects.

Caregiving Resources

Partner Resources

  • For Care Partners: Parkinson’s Foundation — For a loved one’s specific movement disorder, it is helpful to connect with nonprofit organizations that offer support groups and other disease-specific resources. For example, the Parkinson’s Foundation provides a free helpline, caregiver guides, and local support groups for patients and caregivers.

  • Huntington’s Disease Society of America: Caregiver Services and Resources — Similarly, Huntington’s Disease Society of America provides caregiver toolkits, guidance on how to manage symptoms, and support networks.

  • Managing FA: Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance — Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is a complex disease that affects each person differently. Managing health care for the various aspects of FA can be overwhelming, but this page can help you think through different elements of your care.

Caregiver Action Network

This resource was developed with support from Movement Disorder Policy Coalition.

Plug-in to Care: Stay Connected

Caregiving for someone can be complex, but you don’t have to face it alone. This National Family Caregivers Month, Plug-in to Care by connecting with trusted resources, communities, and support to sustain both your loved one’s health and your own.

Plug-in to Care  is made possible with support by:

Campaign Sponsors

Eisai
First Quality
Lilly
Novartis
Otsuka
Teva Pharmaceuticals

Diamond Sponsors

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
Bristol Myers Squibb
Neurocrine
Vertex

Gold, Silver & Friend Sponsors

Acadia
Alkermes
Nomo Smart Care
PHRMA
Psych Congress