3.5 Communication in Parkinson’s – case study

We have considered the communication problems that can be caused by Parkinson’s, as well as their impact and how to manage them. Now we will look at the real experiences of Geoff and Pat.

Geoff, who is 73 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016, and his wife Pat, share their experience of communication difficulties before Geoff got help.

Geoff says:

I put almost everything I could no longer manage down to Parkinson’s and hence it needed no action on my part. I could not ‘help’ it and others should adapt to compensate.

Any criticism or request for change was rejected. If Pat could not hear me, it was her problem not mine. I had begun to avoid situations when I would need to speak, and I stopped answering the phone and zoned out of family social activities,for example chatting over meals and with friends, and reading to my grandson. I’d lost my confidence and willingness to engage with others.

I did not realise how my quiet voice and lack of responses in conversations was affecting my relationships,with family, friends and colleagues.

I felt bad about myself, anxious, negative and introverted. I didn’t smile or laugh as much as I used to. Life wasn’t fun any more.

Pat says:

Geoff’s voice had become much quieter and had less expression. He had stopped opening conversations and when asked a question would reply with very limited answers.

In the car he had stopped chatting to me. In the evenings he would sit, not communicating at all, or doze off to sleep. This did start to impact our previously busy social life. Friends reduced contact with us and invitations were not extended. I began to overcompensate and talk more and more as he became more silent.

Geoff recognised his voice had become quieter, but I think he had put this down to my own hearing loss. Despite my hearing aids, he assumed it was my imagination when I said I couldn’t hear him.

Family and friends all shared with Geoff that his voice had become too quiet for normal conversation.

Thinking quickly, formulating answers on the spot, and responding to random questions was something Geoff found difficult. I would speak for him or move conversations along by intervening.

The old Geoff had gone. There was no laughter in his voice, and he no longer made jokes.