Hi everyone, I’m new here and just wanted to say hello. My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s last year, and we’re still trying to understand what to expect and how best to support him. Some days are better than others, but it can feel overwhelming at times.I’d really appreciate hearing from others about what helped you or your family in the early stages. Any tips for managing daily routines, exercise, or staying positive would mean a lot.Thanks in advance, and it’s good to know this community exists.
Hello @ementhon, welcome to the forum. We hope you find the community helpful and supportive.
We appreciate you sharing your dad’s diagnosis with us. We understand that a recent diagnosis can bring up a multitude of emotions and questions about what this means for your dad and your family. It’s understandable that this can feel overwhelming at times. You might find it helpful to read more information about Parkinson’s, the symptoms, and what support is available: What is Parkinson's? | Parkinson's UK
We hope the community can share what they have found helpful to manage daily routines, excercise and how to stay positive too. Our community has already shared some tips on making their daily routine easier in our magazine, which might be helpful to read with your dad: Tips for making getting ready easier | Parkinson's UK
Take care 
Hello ementhon
You said that your dad was diagnosed last year which is but a nano second in Parkinson’s terms. You don’t say when, so we could be talking just a few weeks or nearly a whole year. For the purposes of this reply, I am going to assume it was weeks rather than months, so that I can keep some focus and I am going to make a number of general ‘starting points’ if you like which may help clarify your thinking.
You will hear a lot about it being a very individual condition and that is because people can have similar symptoms but are affected by them in very different ways.
The early days and weeks can be very strange. You are given this life changing diagnosis and then it’s all a bit of an anti climax because nothing much changes. That is primarily because with a lot of things ‘Parkinson’s’ any treatment plans inc; medication, can take a while to sort out and time to see what works.There is no definitive test and plans depend largely on clinical observations and what the person with parkinson’s others etc, can tell them - and that’s not always easy.
The condition in most moves slowly so there is time to adapt and adjust
A roller coaster of emotions is normal and all are legitimate, however long they last.
We all find a way to live with Parkinson’s but it takes as long as it takes and that could be anything from a week or two, to months. Getting to that point can take many forms. Some choose to fight it all the way, some follow all the research in the hope of a cure, some search out any and all sorts of treatments, complementary therapies etc which may help. My own way is to do my best to stay positive and that has stood me in good stead for 16 years - I see myself as Tot first and I happen to have Parkinson’s. I don’t challenge the diagnosis - since there is no cure I accept that as fact. What I do challenge is the curved balls thrown into my path and a lot of that means getting strength from a positive mindset. Parkinson’s may win the odd battle but has not yet won the war.
Life may be different but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on your hopes, dreams and plans - although you may need to adapt them, and it doesn’t mean you are looking into a black hole of a future where the only way is down unless you choose to see it in those terms. GracePUKMODTEAM25 suggested you might want to do some reading about the condition, which is good advice but we would also recommend not going mad reading everything you can lat your hands on - chances are you will end up with information overload and only remember the blackest of black scenarios.
Larn to live in the present and appreciate every day and don’t waste a lot of time thinking about the future. We know our condition will deteriorate over time but equally we could be run over by the proverbial bus next week. Today is a one off, this 24 hours does not repeat so why not make today the best you can.
Next to medication, regular exercise is the next best thing you can do to help yourself and there may be some Parkinson’s specific groups near you, some gyms offer reduced memberships for people with Parkinson’s, there are videos - a quick search on the internet will show you just what is about. The crucial thing is to keep moving. After trying several ways to get regular exercise into my day, I opted for a Personal Trainer which I pay for out of my PIP. I wrote about how I came to take this course of action on the forum and this is the link if you want a look’
htps://forum.parkinsons.org.uk/t/exercise-and-parkinson-s/33674
I have gone on at some length here but do hope you find at least some of it of interest and use and not too boring.
Tot
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I have to agree with everything Tot has written ementhon, my hubby has PD and has been ‘diagnosed’ for more than 10 years. One of the more telling things about the ‘official diagnosis’ is that you realise that you’ve probably had PD for years, so in some respects it’s a relief to find out what’s responsible for all the other bits and pieces that finally make sense?
Take each day as it comes, try not to get stressed [ not as easy as it sounds 
], as your dad comes to accept PD it becomes easier, but be aware not to blame everything on PD. You do not say how old your dad is but ageing has it’s own set of spanners to throw into the works as well?
Good luck, keep positive.