Before we started on this journey, I was exercising on my own and trying to make healthy life choices for me. Since we’ve been travelling with Parkinson’s, many of my decisions are tied in with what my husband is doing. In some cases, that has been good and I am healthier for it. As his symptoms progress, however, I need to be mindful about my personal plan to make sure it meets my needs because they are becoming increasingly different to his.

I’ve mentioned before that the demands on me physically increase as his capabilities decrease. When we were exercising together, I was able to adapt his program by using heavier weights or standing when he was seated. He is now going to a PD specific class and CarePartners are not welcome. What I finally came up with instead is membership at a local gym. I drop my husband off for his class, drive to my gym and work out for 30 minutes, then get back just in time to pick him up. We go twice a week which seems to be working well. I also go to a yoga class one day a week while his Wednesday in-home care is here. There are a couple of zoom options that we still do together when we can and that more than meets both of our needs for exercise.

It’s not just the exercise component of our lives that has changed, I need to conscientious about food choices moving forward. It appears that he is beginning to have more difficulty chewing and swallowing which may impact what he can eat. So far, I have been preparing the same foods for both of us but recognize that may need to change in the future. It will be interesting as I try to make sure we both eat healthy meals and yet in a format that works for each of us. Watch for future blogs as I figure out where this leads.