16 Essential Care Partner Resources
These resources, drawn from top Parkinson's organizations and expert foundations, offer essential insights, guidance, and practical support to help care partners at every stage of their journey. From tips for early-stage caregiving to advice on how to support loved ones through advanced challenges, these tools provide strategies to empower care partners, build resilience, and foster meaningful connections.
Navigating the role of a care partner for someone with Parkinson's disease is both challenging and deeply rewarding. These resources, drawn from top Parkinson's organizations and expert foundations, offer essential insights, guidance, and practical support to help care partners at every stage of their journey. From tips for early-stage caregiving to advice on how to support loved ones through advanced challenges, these tools provide strategies to empower care partners, build resilience, and foster meaningful connections. Whether you're seeking day-to-day advice, ways to enhance your partnership, or specific caregiver resources, these pages offer a wealth of knowledge designed to support you and your loved one.
AARP Caregiving Homepage (AARP)
University of Michigan Care Partner Poll
Care Partners Home Page (Michael J. Fox Foundation)
Care Partner Home Page (Parkinson’s Foundation)
Care Partner resources for early journey (Parkinson’s Foundation)
Care Partner resources (Davis Phinney Foundation)
For Care Partners (APDA) What “partnering” means? (uhn.ca)
10 Tips for Care Partners (Parkinson Canada) Care Partner Tips & Tricks (ipmdc)
Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver Resources (Stanford) 7 Ways to Help Your Loved One (Johns Hopkins)
VA Caregiving Tips | Parkinson’s (Veterans Affairs) Supporting Someone with Parkinson’s (Parkinson’s UK)
The Care Partner Project Caregiving (CDC)
Feel free to reach out to Larry Gifford at Larry@PDAvengers.com if you'd like to suggest an additional resource for care partners.
50 Simple Ways to Express Gratitude To Your Care Partner
Here’s an enhanced set of 50 simple gratitude ideas for November, offering people with Parkinson’s easy ways to express appreciation for their care partners:
Here’s an enhanced set of simple gratitude ideas for November, offering people with Parkinson’s easy ways to express appreciation for their care partners:
Write a thank-you note: Keep it simple and sincere, sharing specific things you appreciate.
Create a gratitude jar: Add a note each day highlighting something they’ve done that made a difference.
Give them a flower. A beautiful gesture of thank you for all you do.
Go on a photo walk together: Capture moments and places that bring you both joy.
Dedicate a social media post: Publicly acknowledge their impact on your life.
Prepare or order a surprise meal: Celebrate them with a special dinner.
Schedule a massage or foot rub for them: Help them relax and feel pampered.
Spend quality time doing something they enjoy: Show interest in their hobbies or pastimes.
Nominate them for an award or local recognition: Celebrate their dedication.
Break out the Scrabble board: Engage in a fun, lighthearted game together.
Arrange a surprise call from someone special: Help them connect with someone they miss.
Acknowledge the little things they do for you: Take a moment to verbally share your appreciation.
Organize a care partner gathering: A virtual or in-person meetup can offer community support.
Make a donation in their honor: Contribute to a cause that matters to both of you.
Organize respite support for them: Arrange for someone else to assist you for a few hours.
Plan a relaxing activity together: Unwind with something calm like yoga or a peaceful walk.
Take a hike: Embrace the outdoors with a shared adventure.
Handwrite a poem: Craft a few lines expressing what they mean to you.
Buy flowers or their favorite treat: Small gifts show appreciation.
Plan a surprise outing or adventure: Take them somewhere new or exciting.
Watch TV together, distraction-free: Enjoy each other’s company.
Hide a supportive message for them to find: Brighten their day with a surprise note.
Join them in a relaxing activity they enjoy: Bond over something calming.
Offer to help with a task: Lighten their load, even with something small.
Send a daily thank-you note or message for a week: Each day, share a specific reason you’re grateful.
Prepare a picnic: Enjoy a meal outdoors in a special setting.
Give a thoughtful, handmade gift: It could be something simple but meaningful.
Do the dishes without asking: A small chore that means a lot.
Plan a happy hour (home or out): Relax and unwind together with drinks or snacks.
Prepare a playlist of their favorite songs: Share it with them for a special evening.
Plan a quiet movie night: Pick their favorite film and enjoy it together.
Record a voice message: Share a special thank-you message they can listen to anytime.
Make a simple craft or handmade card: Small tokens can carry big meaning.
Cook a simple breakfast or coffee for them: Even small meals can be special.
Frame a favorite photo of the two of you: Add a short note on the back.
Plant a flower or small plant together: Something they can enjoy and watch grow.
Draw a simple picture or doodle for them: A fun gesture to make them smile.
Find an online class or activity they enjoy: Encourage their personal interests.
Create a custom crossword or word search puzzle: Fill it with words meaningful to you both.
Send a special text each morning or evening for a week: Start or end the day with gratitude.
Create a ‘coupon book’ of small favors: Simple gestures, like a foot rub or dishwashing.
Compile a list of their favorite quotes: Print it out as a personalized gift.
Help them reconnect with an old friend: Set up a call or help them write a message.
Plan a board game night: Enjoy a lighthearted activity at home.
Give them a daily reminder of their impact on you: A new compliment each day.
Offer to read to them from a book they love: Share the experience together.
Set up a cozy area for them to relax: Arrange a special space for their downtime.
Play or learn a card game they enjoy: Engage in some friendly, simple competition.
Arrange a “thank you” puzzle: Write a message and cut it into pieces for them to put together.
Record a short video message: Speak from the heart, capturing your appreciation.
These activities are meant to be accessible and meaningful, helping show gratitude in small but impactful ways.