How You Can Help Someone You Love Manage Parkinson’s Disease

Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on July 1, 2025

Try these 10 tips to help a loved one live with Parkinson’s disease. These may include listening, getting outdoors, and connecting them with support groups or other resources. Recognizing changing symptoms and patience are also keys to being supportive.

When someone you care about has Parkinson’s disease, you see firsthand the effects the condition can have on someone.

Symptoms like rigid movements, lack of balance, and tremors become part of their daily lives and can worsen as the disease progresses.

Your loved one needs extra help and support to stay active and preserve their quality of life. You can help out in a number of ways — from offering a friendly ear when they need to talk, to driving them to medical appointments.

Here are 10 of the best ways to help someone you love manage Parkinson’s disease.

1. Learn everything you can about the disease

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder. If you’re a caregiver for someone living with Parkinson’s, you’re likely familiar with some of the symptoms of the disease.

But do you know what causes its symptoms, how the condition progresses, or what treatments can help manage it? Also, Parkinson’s doesn’t manifest the same way in everyone.

To be the best ally for your loved one, learn as much as you can about Parkinson’s disease. Do research on reputable websites like the Parkinson’s Foundation, or read books about the condition.

Tag along for medical appointments and ask the doctor questions. If you’re well informed, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect and how to be the most help.

2. Volunteer to help out

Every day responsibilities like shopping, cooking, and cleaning become much more difficult when you have a movement disorder.

Sometimes people with Parkinson’s need help with these and other tasks, but they may be too proud or embarrassed to ask for it.

Step in and offer to run errands, prepare meals, drive to medical appointments, pick up medications at the drug store, and help with any other day-to-day tasks they have difficulty with on their own.