What is a Caregiver?
You might already be a caregiver—here’s what that can look like
A caregiver is anyone who helps another person manage their health, daily needs, or overall well-being—often without pay. You might be a caregiver if you:
-
Help a family member, partner, friend, or neighbor with everyday tasks
-
Coordinate or attend medical appointments
-
Manage medications or health-related needs
-
Provide emotional support, check-ins, or advocacy
-
Assist with household responsibilities or transportation
-
Step in regularly because someone relies on you
If you see yourself in any of these roles, you can identify as a family caregiver—even if you’ve never used that term before. Caregiving looks different for everyone, but every caregiver plays a vital role and deserves recognition and support.
The Caregiver’s Role
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, coordination, and often brings non-motor symptoms like sleep problems, cognitive changes, and mood disturbances. Caregiving for someone with Parkinson’s involves adapting to changes that unfold gradually over time—supporting mobility, medication management, communication, and emotional health. Because symptoms can vary greatly from day to day, caregivers must balance flexibility with long-term planning and resilience.
Top 3 Things Caregivers Should Know
Caregiving Resources
Partner Resources
Caregiver Action Network
This resource was developed with support from the Ohio Parkinson’s Foundation – Northeast Region & the Movement Disorder Policy Coalition.
