A guide for the road ahead with Huntington’s disease

While a diagnosis of Huntington’s disease (HD) may seem overwhelming, there are many avenues of support for people with HD and their care partners.

A guide for the road ahead with Huntington’s disease

While a diagnosis of Huntington’s disease (HD) may seem overwhelming, there are many avenues of support for people with HD and their care partners.

Care partner support

People with progressive Huntington’s disease (HD) require help from a care partner, usually a spouse or other family member.1 One of the roles of a care partner is advocating for the person with HD. See how other care partners have navigated this role.

Hear from real
care partners

Stay prepared

  • Keep important medical documents and information ready for doctor conversations, insurance questions, or to share the responsibilities of caregiving. Compile a folder with pertinent information and keep it handy.
  • Stay up to date on first aid and CPR certifications. It’s always a good
    idea for Huntington’s disease care partners to be trained in the Heimlich maneuver due to the swallowing issues many people with HD face.
  • Create a plan together so you both have an understanding of future goals and expectations as symptoms evolve.

Talk about HD

Explaining HD to friends and relatives will give them a better perspective on what your boundaries might be. Things like turning down invitations or requesting that gatherings be small and uncomplicated are less likely to be met with resistance if others understand why. This communication can also help you build a network of support and raise awareness of Huntington’s disease.

Inform public services

  • Local police, firefighters, or even EMTs might be unfamiliar with HD and its symptoms. Be proactive and reach out
    with information so they’ll know how to react if they have to respond to a situation involving the person with HD.
  • Keep emergency information handy. Put a card with important info about HD and emergency contact numbers in a wallet or purse.
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SERVICE RESOURCES

Talk about HD

Explaining HD to friends and relatives will give them a better perspective on what your boundaries might be. Things like turning down invitations or requesting that gatherings be small and uncomplicated are less likely to be met with resistance if others understand why. This communication can also help you build a network of support and raise awareness of Huntington’s disease.

DOWNLOAD PUBLIC
SERVICE RESOURCES

Making plans for long-term care

In the early stages of Huntington’s disease (HD), living independently may only require occasional assistance from family and friends. As the disease progresses, people with HD often need long-term care.2 Plan ahead so you can make decisions about long-term care before it becomes urgent.

The goal of
long-term care services is to help maximize functioning and quality of life.
—HDSA.org

Your doctor or care team can recommend long-term care services like skilled nursing in your home or inpatient facilities. As you plan for your future, it is important to keep family members and close allies involved to advocate for you.

Find out more about HD and HD chorea

Discover the most
frequently asked questions

SEE FAQS

References: 1. Claassen DO, DeCourcy J, Mellor J, Johnston C, Iyer RG. Impact of chorea on self-care activity, employment, and health-care resource use in patients with Huntington's disease. JHEOR. 2021;8(1):99-105. 2. Imbriglio S, Goolkasian V, Murfitt A. Long-Term Care for HD. New York, NY: Huntington's Disease Society of America; 2009. Accessed January 28, 2022. https://hdsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Family-Guide-Series_Long-Term-Care.pdf