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Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease: a caregiver's guide

An affectionate couple is seen from behind as they share a close embrace near a calm riverside.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder that causes tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. As the disease advances, caring for a loved one becomes an evolving journey.¹

While caregiving requires immense patience, there are ways to make the process easier for both of you. Here is a guide to help you support your loved one while also protecting your own well-being.

Practical steps for daily life

Learn and adapt

Educate yourself about the disease's progression so you know what to expect. Attending doctor appointments allows you to understand their specific condition. This helps you keep track of complex medication schedules.

If you need help knowing what to ask, download our Doctor Discussion Guide, and approach appointments with confidence.

You can also make simple home changes to help keep your loved one safe²:

  • Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs
  • Install grab bars
  • Improve the lighting
  • Clear pathways so they can move easily

Advocate for advanced treatments

Over time, medications may lose their effectiveness or cause exhausting side effects. When this happens, you can help your loved one explore advanced options to improve their quality of life.



Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical therapy that aims to manage severe PD symptoms. Our Vercise Genus™ DBS System uses advanced technology to deliver personalized relief. Caregivers often note that successful therapy helps restore their loved one's independence and significantly lightens the daily demands on the entire family.



Hear from Steve as he shares how his wife Suzanne’s Parkinson’s disease symptoms impacted their family, and how life changed after receiving Vercise™ DBS therapy:

Prioritize your own well-being

Remember to take breaks

You cannot help your loved one if you do not help yourself first. Caregiving is physically and emotionally demanding.

Take time to visit friends, exercise, and engage in your favorite hobbies.

Find your community

Connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Joining a caregiver support group provides a safe space to share frustrations. These groups offer emotional comfort and practical advice from people who truly understand what you are facing.³

Connect with others who get it

Sometimes the best advice comes from someone who has been in your shoes. You can request to speak directly with a caregiver who has navigated the DBS journey with their loved one.

Is DBS right for you?

See if you qualify for Boston Scientific’s personalized DBS therapy.

Take our quiz

References

  1. National Institute on Aging. Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.
  2. Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Parkinson's Caregiver: 7 Ways to Help Your Loved One.
  3. Parkinson's Foundation. For Care Partners.

Indications for Use:
The Boston Scientific Vercise™ PC, Vercise Gevia™, Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are indicated for use in the following:

• Bilateral stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of moderate to advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) as an adjunctive therapy in reducing some of the symptoms of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease (PD) that are not adequately controlled with medication.

• Unilateral thalamic stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is indicated for the suppression of tremor in the upper extremity. The system is intended for use in patients who are diagnosed with essential tremor or parkinsonian tremor not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

• Bilateral stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus for the suppression of disabling upper extremity tremor in adult essential tremor patients whose tremor is not adequately controlled by medications and where the tremor constitutes a significant functional disability.

Intended Use:

The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are intended to treat movement disorders by stimulating a specific brain target.

The Vercise™ DBS Controller is intended to communicate with and control the compatible Boston Scientific Stimulator.

The Charger is a medical device that is intended to charge the battery of the compatible Boston Scientific rechargeable Stimulator.

Contraindications: The Boston Scientific Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Systems are not recommended for patients who will be exposed to the following procedures: Diathermy as either a treatment for a medical condition or as part of a surgical procedure, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). The safety of these therapies in patients implanted with the Boston Scientific DBS System has not been established. Patients implanted with Boston Scientific DBS Systems without ImageReady™ MRI Technology should not be exposed to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Patients implanted with the Vercise Gevia or Vercise Genus or Vercise Genus Mixed System with M8 Adapter or Vercise DBS Lead-Only System (before Stimulator is implanted) with ImageReady MRI Technology are Full Body MR Conditional only when exposed to the MRI environment under the specific conditions defined in ImageReady MRI Guidelines for Boston Scientific DBS Systems. The external/non-implantable components of the Vercise Genus DBS System (Charging System, Remote Control, mobile device with Vercise DBS Controller, and accessories) are MR Unsafe. Do not take them into any MRI environment.
Boston Scientific DBS Systems are not recommended for patients who are unable to operate the system or are poor surgical candidates or who experience unsuccessful test stimulation.

Warnings: With all medical procedures, there are risks associated with the procedure and the use of the device. Unauthorized modification to the medical devices is prohibited. You should not be exposed to high stimulation levels. High level of stimulation may damage brain tissue. Patients implanted with a Boston Scientific DBS System may be at risk for intracranial hemorrhages (bleeding in the brain) during DBS lead placement. Strong electromagnetic fields, such as power generators, security screeners or theft detection systems, can potentially turn the stimulator off, or cause unpredictable changes in stimulation. The system should not be charged while sleeping. If you notice new onset or worsening depression, changes in mood or behavior or impulse control, or have thoughts of suicide contact your physician or emergency services immediately. You should use caution when doing activities that require coordination, even if you were able to do them before receiving therapy (for example, swimming). Patients should exercise reasonable caution when bathing. Chemical burns may result if the Stimulator housing is ruptured or pierced. The Boston Scientific DBS Systems may interfere with the operation of implanted stimulation devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, implanted cardioverter defibrillators, or medication delivery pumps. Patients should operate motorized vehicles or potentially dangerous machinery with caution. It is unknown whether the DBS device may cause complications with pregnancy. Do not use the Vercise™ DBS Controller while the mobile device is charging. The effect of using the Vercise DBS Controller while charging the mobile device has not been evaluated.



Be sure to talk with your doctor so that you thoroughly understand all of the risks, precautions, and benefits associated with the use of the device and what indicates, and contraindicates, certain patients– as well as the risks and precautions for the procedure. For complete indications for use, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and side effects, see DBSandME.com or call 833-DBS-INFO or 833-327-4636.



CAUTION: U.S. Federal law  restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

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