Tips for Supporting Your Loved One with Parkinson's

To share useful information with someone reluctant to discuss their health condition or change their behaviour, recommended approaches include prioritizing their autonomy, asking for permission before sharing facts, using "I" statements to reduce defensiveness, and focusing heavily on your own active listening. Pushing too hard often causes people to withdraw further.

Please note that while respecting your loved one’s autonomy is important, there may be times when serious or immediate safety concerns—such as falls, medication mismanagement, unsafe driving, wandering, or other risks of injury—make it necessary to involve a healthcare professional or other appropriate support.

Communication Strategies

• Ask Permission First: People often reject unasked-for advice. Asking "Would it be okay if I shared something I read about this?" is an example of how to give them control.
• Use "I" Statements: Avoid sounding accusatory. Say "I notice you seem tired after walks" instead of "You are pushing yourself too hard."
• Focus on the listen-to-talk ratio: Let them speak 70% of the time. Validate their feelings by saying "I hear that modifying the house feels overwhelming right now."
• Offer Choices, Not Mandates: If they have indicated openness to the conversation, present multiple helpful options. Let them choose which adjustment feels easiest to try first.
• Know when to revisit the conversation: If they are not receptive, it may be better to leave the topic and return to it later rather than continuing to push.
• Highlight Immediate Benefits: Focus on what they gain right now, like less pain or more energy, rather than longer-term scary outcomes.
• Plant Small Seeds: Share one tiny piece of information at a time. ‘Walk away’ to let them process it without pressure.
• Connect to Their Goals: Frame changes around what they want. For example, frame a safety measure as a way to stay independent longer.
• Problem-solve together: Ask, “What would make this easier for you?” rather than deciding what they need.

Behavioural Approaches

• Normalize the Challenge: Remind them that adapting to change is difficult for anyone.
• Involve Trusted Outsiders: Sometimes information is received better from a doctor, therapist, or peer going through the same experience.
• Model the Behaviour: If appropriate, adopt the habit yourself first to show it is safe, easy, or helpful. For example, start to buy and eat more vegetables yourself, join a fitness class or walking group, sign up for webinars, or support groups.
• Break changes into smaller steps: A major lifestyle or home change can feel overwhelming. Focus on one manageable adjustment at a time.
• Create reminders together: Calendars, medication reminders, written instructions, or visible routines can be helpful when everyone agrees on the approach.

Last updated: August 17, 2026