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MANAGING PARKINSON'S DISEASE AT EVERY STAGE

Caring for Someone with Parkinson's Disease

The management of a patient with Parkinson's disease frequently extends beyond the care of a physician — often falling into the hands of others. A care partner can be a spouse, parent, child, or friend. The more than 50 million Americans who are care partners are vital to those who live with Parkinson's and other diseases.36 As a care partner, there are many ways you can help.

Practical day-to-day tips

  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can go a long way in helping the patient with Parkinson's disease to maintain function and normal activities. You can make sure that the recommended exercises are done regularly. For your loved one to maximize independence, safety, and activities of daily living, be sure to encourage exercise such as walking and swimming
  • Make sure the patient eats a balanced diet and consumes enough food to maintain proper weight. In addition, make sure than any vitamins that the doctor has recommended are taken
  • If swallowing difficulties occur, please consult your physician
  • You should learn the Heimlich maneuver in case your loved one begins to choke. A doctor can show you how to do it
  • If possible, enlist the help of a visiting nurse or healthcare professional

Practical suggestions for making a safer home

Modify the home environment to make things easier and safer. Customize seating, toilets, bathtubs, and showers by installing grab bars where appropriate. Remove tables with pointed edges that could injure your loved one if he or she stumbles. Place fragile objects such as lamps and vases in areas where your loved one can't knock them over. Consult the National Parkinson Foundation for information on products that may make the home environment safer.

  • Consider clothing that has Velcro®* enclosures instead of zippers or buttons. Pullovers will make dressing easier as well
  • Remove obstructions and hazards in the home such as doorsills and throw rugs
  • Keep a diary about your loved one's condition to share with his/her doctor

*Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., uses the Mirapex® trademark under license. The other trademarks referenced above are owned by third parties not affiliated with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Next: For care partners and loved ones

 

Important Information about MIRAPEX: MIRAPEX is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD).

MIRAPEX may cause you to fall asleep without any warning, even while doing normal daily activities, such as driving. Before taking MIRAPEX, talk to your doctor if you drink alcohol or take other medications that make you drowsy as these can increase the chance that MIRAPEX will make you feel sleepy or fall asleep when you should be awake. When taking MIRAPEX, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling, or tasting something that isn’t there) may occur and you may sometimes feel dizzy, nauseated, faint or sweaty when you sit up or stand quickly.

In clinical trials for early PD, the most commonly reported side effects of MIRAPEX that were more frequent than with placebo are nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, difficulty falling asleep, involuntary movement, and constipation. In clinical trials for advanced PD, the most commonly reported side effects of MIRAPEX that were more frequent than with placebo are low blood pressure when you sit up or stand quickly, involuntary movement, difficulty falling asleep, dizziness, accidental injury, hallucinations, and dream abnormalities. You should talk with your doctor if you experience these problems.

There have been reports of impulse control disorders and compulsive behaviors in patients taking certain medicines, including MIRAPEX. If you or your family members notice that you are experiencing new or increased gambling urges, increased sexual urges or other intense urges, such as compulsive shopping or eating, while taking MIRAPEX, talk to your doctor.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

This information is intended for U.S. residents only.