Date: Aired December 2021
Moderated by Julie Carter, RN, MN, ANP
Panelist: Marianne Matzo, PhD, APRN-CNP, AOCNP-Emeritus, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN, Ken Hill and Jean Ward.
Summary: Care partners may feel the old Motown song, “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” has special meaning as they balance managing the responsibilities of caregiving with trying to maintain intimacy with their partners with PD. This session identifies how PD motor symptoms can interfere with expressions of sexuality (ie. tremors, stiffness, dyskinesias, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, hypersexuality). Psychological features for PWP can also be problematic (apathy, depression, anxiety, changes in body image). The care partner (CP) also experiences many changes and losses that can contribute to a loss of the sense of intimacy for a couple. CPs may feel exhausted from increasing responsibilities at home. They, too, can suffer from depression and anxiety. On top of all of that, there are lifestyle changes related to COVID 19 that add additional stressors. The PWP and CP with YOPD may grapple with somewhat different issues. This webinar encourage an open discussion about a sometimes taboo topic. Strategies are offered to help maintain closeness, whether it be important touching or sexual intercourse.
