Parkinson’s In-Home Nursing and Care 

Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia

Your Local Professionals Who Treat Patients With Parkinson's

You don’t have to do this alone. We guide patients and families through Parkinson’s with in-home medical care, mobility and activities help, precise medication timing, and calming routines. 

If you or your loved one are suffering with higher-severity Parkinson’s, experiencing tremors, risk of falls, fatigue, or difficulty communicating and swallowing, in-home nursing and care is very common. Over 13,000 people in the DC metro area are estimated to have Parkinson’s, with between 79-88% of them regularly utilizing some form of in-home nursing and care. [1] 

Specialty Care Service’s Parkinson’s In-Home Nursing & Care Program provides the personalized and effective home care that helps Parkinson’s patients stay independent, healthy, and cared for. Whether you’re living with Parkinson’s or organizing care for someone you love, this page explains: 

• Who we serve 
• How We Provide Care 
• What Areas We Serve – And Why 
• Why Parkinson’s Patients Choose In-Home Care vs Skilled Nursing Facilities 
• Parkinson’s-Focused Professionals & Providers We Collaborate With (and Recommend) 
• Parkinson’s MythBusters: Fact vs. Fiction 
• How It Works (Step by Step) 
• How Parkinson’s Home Care Patients Find Us 

Who We Serve 

• People with higher-severity Parkinson’s and their families who need skilled, consistent medical and aide help at home. We often serve Parkinson’s patients experiencing these symptoms: 
• Movement and mobility challenges: severe slowness and rigidity that make walking, transfers, and self-care hard 
• Poor balance and falls: unsteadiness and frequent falls, leading to wounds and injuries. 
• Speech and swallowing difficulty: soft/slurred voice and choking/coughing with liquids or food. 
• Cognition, mood & sleep disturbances: confusion or Parkinson’s dementia, hallucinations, anxiety/depression, REM sleep behavior, or daytime sleepiness. 
• Autonomic issues: blood-pressure drops (dizziness), constipation, incontinence, and temperature/sweating changes. 
• Pain, fatigue & medical nutrition: persistent pain, low energy, reduced appetite or unintended weight loss. 
• Medication-based mood and symptoms swings: symptoms return quickly if doses are incorrect or late. 

Between 79-88% of those with Parkinson’s either have a formal (in-home medically trained nurses and care support teams) or informal (unpaid family member or friend) home caregiver. [2] At Specialty Care Service, we provide the formal care that higher-severity Parkinson’s patients need, and reduce burnout of those who care for their Parkinson’s loved ones. 

How We Provide Care 

We create personalized care plans for Parkinson’s patients based on their medical history, care needs, and preferences. These may include: 

• Parkinson’s medication management, reminders, & administration: on-time levodopa dosing, managing “on/off” fluctuations, and avoiding contraindicated drugs. [3] [4] 
• Mobility, and fall-prevention support: including freezing-of-gait strategies, home exercises, and cueing to reduce falls and ER visits. [5] [6] 
• Swallowing (dysphagia) support: discrete screening, meal texture strategies, and coordination with speech therapy. [7] [8] 
• Activities of daily living help: which can include bathing, dressing, grooming, light housekeeping, tremor & rigidity support, and fluctuation monitoring throughout the day. 
• Cognitive symptom support: including sleep, constipation, mood/behavior changes, and caregiver respite. Cognitive changes are common over time in PD and increase supervision needs. [9] 

These may be provided through: 

1. Personal Care and Companion Care 

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and feeding 
• Help with toileting and incontinence care 
• Support with mobility and transfers 
• Provides social interaction, supervision, and structured activities 
• Supports participation in hobbies, games, and community outings 

2. Nursing Care 

• A registered nurse performs a healthcare assessment to identify needs 
• Development of a personalized care plan tailored to the individual 
• Medication management, behavioral health support, and health monitoring 
• Training for caregivers on medical and behavioral best practices 

3. Respite Care 

• Short-term relief for family caregivers 
• Care provided in the home so loved ones can rest, travel, or attend to other responsibilities 
• Flexible scheduling to meet urgent or planned needs 

4. 24/7 Care 

• Around-the-clock home support for individuals with high or complex care needs 
• Overnight monitoring to ensure safety, comfort, and prompt response to needs 
• Continuous personal care, companion care, and nursing oversight as required 

What Areas We Serve — And Why 

We provide care in Montgomery County MD, Prince George’s County MD, Howard County MD, Frederick County MD, Washington DC, Fairfax County VA, and Arlington County VA. 

Here are the number of people in each county estimated to have Parkinson’s, as well as higher-severity Parkinson’s: 

A total of 13,678 individuals are estimated to have Parkinson’s in the areas we serve. Of these, between 2,575–5,220 of those are estimated to have the higher-severity needs that Specialty Care Service provides care for. 

The total quantity of those with Parkinson’s in our area is extremely high, and without consistent high-quality care, Parkinson’s health can deteriorate quickly. Prioritizing these counties allows us to help a broad range of individuals with personalized care. 

Why Parkinson’s Patients Choose In-Home Care vs Skilled Nursing Facilities 

• Care after hospital discharge. After receiving care at a hospital or Emergency Department, about 50% of those with Parkinson’s are discharged to some form of care afterward, typically in-home care. [15] 
• Meds on time, every time. Parkinson’s meds must be taken on schedule. At home, we give them exactly when needed to prevent “off” periods and complications. 
• Fewer falls. We set up the home for safety, cue freezing, supervise transfers, and practice safe walking to lower fall risk. 
• Safer swallowing. We follow daily swallow plans, change food textures, and watch for signs of aspiration. 
• Calmer days with familiar routines. Home reduces confusion. We support memory, manage hallucinations or delusions, and ease caregiver stress. 
• Lower exposure to infections. Fewer shared rooms and surfaces than facilities, and strict hygiene at home reduces illness risk. 
• More daily movement. Short, frequent sessions of stretching, mobility, and cueing throughout the day, not just on a facility schedule. 
• Stronger family involvement. Loved ones help set goals, learn hands-on skills, and get respite so they can recharge. 

Parkinson’s-Focused Professionals and Providers We Collaborate With (and Recommend) 

We work alongside teams of professionals that can improve you or your loved one’s care, including: 

• Neurologists 
• Primary Care Providers 
• Therapists (Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists) 
• Psychiatrists 
• DME Suppliers 
• Local hospitals and centers, including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (DC), GW Hospital & George Washington University (DC), Inova Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center (Fairfax, VA), Parkinson Social Network (Arlington/Northern VA), and APDA Virginia. [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] 

Parkinson’s MythBusters: Fact vs. Fiction 

There are many common myths and misconceptions about Parkinson’s disease that lead patients and their loved ones to make ill-informed decisions. Here are the myths and why they’re inaccurate: 

Myth 1: “Parkinson’s only causes tremors.” 

• Why it’s wrong: Tremors are the most visible symptom, but Parkinson’s also causes stiffness, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), balance problems, freezing episodes, sleep issues, constipation, depression, and cognitive decline in later stages. 
• Why it matters for care: Families may underestimate the 24/7 nature of support needed—caregivers manage much more than shaking hands. 

Myth 2: “It’s just a movement disorder.” 

• Why it’s wrong: Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that affects movement and non-motor functions (mood, sleep, swallowing, bladder, thinking, blood pressure regulation). 
• Why it matters for care: Skilled home caregivers must also address safety during eating, night wandering, or sudden drops in blood pressure—not just help with walking. 

Myth 3: “Medication fixes everything.” 

• Why it’s wrong: PD medications help, but timing is critical, effectiveness wears off, and side effects (dyskinesias, hallucinations) often appear. 
• Why it matters for care: Families often underestimate the need for caregivers who understand precise medication timing—minutes matter. 

Myth 4: “Exercise and therapy aren’t useful once symptoms are advanced.” 

• Why it’s wrong: Exercise (like walking, stretching, boxing, dance, or LSVT BIG therapy) improves mobility, balance, and even mood at every stage. 
• Why it matters for care: Caregivers can cue movement, encourage safe exercise, and reinforce therapy routines at home. 

Myth 5: “Parkinson’s is fatal.” 

• Why it’s wrong: Parkinson’s itself isn’t usually the direct cause of death. Complications (falls, pneumonia from swallowing problems, infections) are what shorten life expectancy. 
• Why it matters for care: Preventing falls, managing dysphagia, and infection watch are exactly where skilled in-home care makes a life-extending difference. 

Myth 6: “Surgery cures Parkinson’s.” 

• Why it’s wrong: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and infusion therapies can improve symptoms, but they don’t stop disease progression. 
• Care implication: Families may expect a “cure” and then be surprised when caregiving needs continue. 

Myth 7: “People with Parkinson’s can’t live at home long-term.” 

• Why it’s wrong: With proper support, including medication management, fall prevention, and daily care, many people stay safely at home for years. 
• Why it matters for care: With Parkinson’s-trained caregivers, we can keep your loved one at home longer, safer, and more comfortable. 

How It Works (Step by Step) 

1. Start with a thorough RN assessment. 
   Review neurology notes, PD stage, medications and timing, red-flag symptoms (falls, dysphagia, hallucinations), home environment, and caregiver capacity. We contact and coordinate with your movement-disorder clinic. (NCBI, movementdisorders.org) 
2. Personalized care plan. 
   Build a Parkinson’s home nursing plan with: medication timing, walking and movement cues, home exercises, dysphagia precautions, bowel/sleep routines, cognitive/behavior strategies, fall-prevention equipment, and caregiver respite scheduling. 
3. We provide regularly scheduled care. 
   Our in-home nurses and caregivers deliver personalized care to you or your loved one, giving our patients the greatest chance of healing and being independent. 
4. Regular RN check-ins (and re-assessments). 
   Frequency based on severity: weekly to monthly. We update the plan with your neurologist’s input and family feedback, tightening timing windows or adding overnight support as needed. 
5. Provider Communication & Care-Plan Updates: 
   We keep your physicians and therapists in the loop, share vitals/symptoms, and request orders when needs change. We also teach families how to spot red-flag symptoms. 
6. Progress Reviews: 
   Every few weeks, we revisit goals (fewer falls, better medication control, safer transfers, less caregiver burnout) and scale hours up/down to what our patients need. 

How Parkinson’s Home Care Patients Find Us 

If you searched for any of these, you’re in the right place: 

• Core service phrasing: Parkinson’s disease home care; PD home care; PD in-home nursing; Parkinson’s caregiver near me. 
• Services and daily tasks: levodopa timing help; mobility & fall-prevention for Parkinson’s; freezing-of-gait support; dysphagia support; aspiration-risk monitoring; ADLs/bathing & dressing help; tremor/rigidity support; LSVT BIG home exercises; gait/balance training at home; constipation/sleep/mood support; post-DBS home care; incision checks; device coordination; occupational/speech therapy coordination at home. 
• Provider language: Parkinson’s home health nurse; nurse-supervised Parkinson’s caregivers; Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist (PDNS) at home; home health agency for Parkinson’s; Parkinson’s live-in caregiver. 
• Transactional: Parkinson’s home care cost; private-pay Parkinson’s care; same-week Parkinson’s home care; schedule Parkinson’s in-home nursing; 24-hour Parkinson’s care; Parkinson’s recovery at home. 

Sources 

National Institute on Aging. 
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/home-health-care 
Accessed August 2025. 

Parkinson’s Foundation – Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease. 
https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/caregiving 
Accessed August 2025. 

Parkinson’s Foundation – Medications for Motor Symptoms. 
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/treatment/medications/motor-symptoms 
Accessed August 2025. 

Michael J. Fox Foundation – Parkinson’s Medications. 
https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/parkinsons-medications 
Accessed August 2025. 

Parkinson’s Foundation – Falls and Parkinson’s. 
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/symptoms/movement-symptoms/falls 
Accessed August 2025. 

American Parkinson Disease Association – Fall Prevention. 
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/fall-prevention/ 
Accessed August 2025. 

Parkinson’s Foundation – Speech & Swallowing. 
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/symptoms/non-movement-symptoms/speech-swallowing 
Accessed August 2025. 

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) – Adult Dysphagia. 
https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/adult-dysphagia/ 
Accessed August 2025. 

Parkinson’s Foundation – Cognitive Changes. 
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/cognitive-changes 
Accessed August 2025. 

State Cancer Profiles – Montgomery County, MD Data. 
https://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov 
Accessed August 2025. 

DC Health – Chronic Disease Data. 
https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/chronic-disease 
Accessed August 2025. 

Arlington County, VA – Health Data Portal. 
https://health.arlingtonva.us 
Accessed August 2025. 

National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Parkinson’s Disease Severity Estimates. 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 
Accessed August 2025. 

International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS). 
https://www.movementdisorders.org 
Accessed August 2025. 

National Library of Medicine – Hospital Discharge Outcomes for Parkinson’s Disease. 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov 
Accessed August 2025. 

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital – Movement Disorders Program. 
https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/movement-disorders 
Accessed August 2025. 

George Washington University Hospital – Neurology & Movement Disorders. 
https://www.gwhospital.com/services/neurology 
Accessed August 2025. 

Inova Parkinson’s & Movement Disorders Center (Fairfax, VA). 
https://www.inova.org/our-services/neurology/inova-parkinsons-movement-disorders-center 
Accessed August 2025. 

Parkinson Social Network (Arlington, VA). 
https://parkinsonsocialnetwork.org 
Accessed August 2025. 

American Parkinson Disease Association – Virginia Chapter. 
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/virginia 
Accessed August 2025. 

Michael J. Fox Foundation – Parkinson’s Resources. 
https://www.michaeljfox.org/resources 
Accessed August 2025. 

Parkinson’s Foundation – Local Resources & Support. 
https://www.parkinson.org/find-help 
Accessed August 2025.