Carers are often partners or other family members, such as parents or siblings. The care they provide can vary from simply helping someone out on a regular basis with shopping, cooking or washing to providing support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, many carers who provide this care and support will not view themselves as a “carer”. First and foremost they will view themselves as a partner, parent, child or sibling.
Additionally, due to the hereditary nature of HD, carers may be looking after or supporting more than one member of the family at the same time. Due to the possibility of personality and behavioural changes in the cared for person and the long duration of the illness, caring for someone affected by this disease can be particularly challenging and demanding – physically, emotionally and financially.
This information and advice is provided on various aspects of caring for a person with HD and aims to support carers who are looking after a family member affected by the disease.
WORDS: adapted from Huntington’s WA