My grandmother has had Parkinson's for the last 8 or 9 years. She was diagnosed with it rather late in life from what one Dr. said, she was 69 or 70, maybe even 71. I am a military wife and was living in CA at the time. My family is in NY. I now live in MD. Finally closer to my family. My grandfather has been taking care of her, up until 5 weeks ago. She is now in a nursing home. My grandfather and parents see her everyday, sometimes 2 or 3 times. I have read alot about Parkinson's online . My mother tells me she still feeds herself as long as the food is cut up, or something she can pick up and eat like sandwhiches. She can no longer walk, she can stand and move her feet if assisted. The shakes are still present, she usually has a blank stare, she does not talk much anymore. We are not certain what stage she is in, however from the research I have done I would say 4 maybe even 5. This is real hard for us to see her this way. I remember her when I was growing up we would dance and dance while cleaning house or just hanging out. She could jitterbug people half her age and they would drop from exhaustion before she would. I remember singing with her gospel songs in the church choir. Now she can't even stand alone or barely talks to me when I call the nursing home to talk to her. Man it feels good to get this all out. Don't get me wrong my family is supportive but they don't alot about the illness.