Nacogdoches man shares life with Parkinson’s disease, finds support through in-home care

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - Nearly 90,000 people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease every year. Five years ago, Leonell Scarborough became one of them.

“It’s a crippling disease. It’s a painful disease. My joints all hurt every day, all day long. It’s a continuous thing,” Scarborough, 73, said.

Scarborough, a former pastor and veteran, said his life was normal before the diagnosis.

“It was normal. I had normal strength, normal abilities, and now it’s not normal anymore,” he said.

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder of the nervous system that worsens over time. It may include tremors, slowed movement and rigid muscles.

For Scarborough, his wife, Carrie, is his main caregiver.

“We need the help. She needs the help. I need the help. Her little body is not big enough to take care of the things that I need to take care of, weight and everything,” Scarborough said.

Finding support

Right at Home, a national in-home care company with an office in Nacogdoches, provides additional support. Tanya Harris, care manager at Right at Home in Nacogdoches, said the company’s goal extends beyond patient care.

“The biggest goal, obviously, is to make sure that the client gets their needs met. But it’s also a lot of times to give peace of mind to the caregiver and give them a break for the family members that’s doing care for the rest of the time that we’re not there,” Harris said.

Harris said Right at Home provides companionship for patients with Parkinson’s and becomes a resource for their caregiver.

“If you can get provider care, because for that one hour, two hours a day, that person gets to go back to being your wife, your husband, your son or daughter,” Harris said.

For the Scarboroughs, the support is one step in helping Leonell cope with his disease. He said he is adapting and moving forward.

“But you learn to make adjustments in whatever is needed to make sure that things work out. And that’s what I’ve done,” Scarborough said.

Those in need of Parkinson’s support can visit rightathome.net for more information.