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Caring for a loved one with essential tremor

Supporting someone with essential tremor (ET) means adapting as symptoms change. Learn how to navigate your evolving role as a care partner and when to explore advanced treatment options like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).

Recognizing the window for advanced essential tremor therapy

As a care partner, you’re often the first to notice when tremors begin interfering more significantly with daily life. Identifying these shifts can help you determine if it’s time for your loved one to consider an advanced treatment like Deep Brain Stimulation therapy.

  • Functional limitations: Tremors interfere with precision tasks like eating, drinking, or writing.
  • Reduced medication effectiveness: Medications no longer provide consistent or adequate symptom relief.
  • Unmanageable side effects: Current medications cause side effects that are as disruptive as the tremors themselves.
  • Social withdrawal: Your loved one is avoiding social gatherings or activities they once enjoyed.
  • Increased need for support: You find yourself providing more physical help for tasks your loved one used to handle independently.
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Prioritizing your well-being

Taking care of your own health helps you better support your loved one. As their essential tremor progresses, caring about your own physical and mental well-being helps you stay effective as an advocate for your partner.

Living with ET

How your role as a care partner evolves

Essential tremor is a progressive condition. As symptoms begin to cause significant daily disruptions, your support will likely change in these 3 key ways:

Emotional support

Tremors can sometimes lead to frustration, stress, or self-consciousness. Offering encouragement and understanding helps your loved one stay engaged in daily life and maintain social connections.

Physical assistance

You may assist with tasks like meal prepping, writing, or using mobile devices. Introducing weighted utensils and other adaptive tools can help you balance when to step in versus when to preserve your loved one’s independence.

Proactive advocacy

You’re often the first to notice when medications lose effectiveness. So, you play a critical role in advocating for your loved one’s care and starting conversations with specialists about when to consider advanced treatment options like Deep Brain Stimulation.

Received DBS in 2023

Jan’s DBS story

"The simple act of holding a glass of water without shaking was a touchdown. It literally changed my life."

The patient quotes in this material describe real personal experiences. Individual results may vary. Consult with your physician to determine if you are a candidate for this procedure and what you may gain from the therapy.

More ET successes

Resources for care partners

You don't have to navigate this journey alone. These organizations and tools are designed to support you as you support them.

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Log on to learning

Get expert insights into Parkinson’s and Deep Brain Stimulation therapy from the comfort of your home. Our webinars, hosted by specialists, are designed to help both patients and caregivers feel informed and empowered.

View upcoming webinars

Take your next step toward DBS therapy

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Find Care

Locate a DBS specialist near you

Find a movement disorder specialist who offers personalized DBS therapy. Access the specialized care your loved one needs close to home.

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Be prepared

Download a Discussion Guide

Be their best advocate while prepping for the next appointment.

  • Note worsening side effects your loved one may not notice.
  • Ask questions about advanced treatments like DBS.
Download the Doctor Discussion Guide

References  

  1. Mayo Clinic. Essential tremor - Diagnosis and treatment. Accessed April 22, 2026.
  2. OHSU Brain Institute. DBS for Essential Tremor. Accessed April 22, 2026.

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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