You make a world of difference in the life of the family member or loved one you care for.

We applaud you for taking on the challenges of caring for a person living with Parkinson's disease. It's a difficult task, but your efforts are extremely valuable.

AZILECT.com offers a wealth of information that you may find useful as a caregiver. For example:

If you are new to Parkinson's, see our Introduction to Parkinson's Disease Animation, Frequently Asked Questions to learn the basics.

• You can also learn more about Parkinson's disease and how someone living with Parkinson's disease can help manage their disease through good nutrition, exercise, and emotional support.
• Also, we have a brief Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Animation that will tell you more about the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, how they affect the body, and how symptoms may progress.

Witness one family's personal story of their father's 33-year battle with Parkinson's disease in the movie "Louie, Louie - A Portrait in Parkinson's disease." The movie demonstrates the struggle that those affected by Parkinson's disease endure on a day-to-day basis and also the trials and heartache that caregivers experience. For more information, please visit http://www.mediaprojects.org/pages/louielouie.html.

Things Every Caregiver Should Know

Parkinson's disease can take a heavy emotional toll on both patients and caregivers. As a caregiver, you may face the struggle of balancing your concerns and responsibilities for the person you care for with your own physical and emotional well-being.

Because Parkinson's disease is a long-term, progressive disease, a caregiver's role may become more difficult as time goes on. Dealing with the pressures of your caregiving commitment can potentially lead to depression, exhaustion, stress, and guilt.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to care for yourself as you care for others.

Tried-and-true tips for taking care of yourself:

• Get others involved.
  
  Keep family and friends up-to-date on the health status of the person you're caring for. These updates will help keep you from feeling like the sole bearer of responsibility, and will serve as a gentle reminder that you may need help from time to time.
  
• Don't be afraid to ask for help.
  
  Your family members, friends, doctors, and support group are all resources you can turn to for help. Asking for a few hours of their time can give you a well-deserved break.
  
• Help others understand Parkinson's disease.
  
  It can be difficult to watch the symptoms of Parkinson's disease progress. This can affect other people's willingness to help, no matter how much they care for the person with Parkinson's disease. Explaining the stages of Parkinson's disease and preparing others for what they may see can help reduce their anxiety and make them feel more comfortable and willing to assist you.
  
• Keep yourself healthy.
  
  Almost one third of people who care for someone age 65 or older report their own health as "fair to poor." Your own health is as important as the health of the person you are caring for. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise and fresh air.
  
• Don't bottle up your feelings.
  
  Call a friend, write in a journal or find an empty room to yell in when you're feeling frustrated. Expressing your emotions in a productive way can be a wonderful release that makes you feel revitalized and ready to handle whatever comes next.
  
• Laugh. A lot.
  
  "Laughter is the best medicine" is more than an old cliché - laughing may actually help strengthen the immune system. Researchers at Loma Linda University in California found that participants who watched an hour-long "humor video" had higher levels of disease-fighting T cells and antibodies in their bloodstream, even as long as 12 hours after the video had ended.
  
• Know that you're not alone.
  
  About 22 million families in the U.S. in 1997 (that's about one in four households) had at least one person responsible for some type of caregiving. Almost two-thirds of these caregivers have full-time or part-time jobs.
  
  The National Family Caregivers Association can help you connect with other caregivers. The NFCA Web site, www.nfcacares.org, has lots of information for caregivers - including news, tips, statistics, and support.

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