How are you going?
Get it off your chest.
For people with Parkinson's and the family and friends who care for them. A private place to notice how you're travelling and put down what you're carrying.
Who is using this phone?
This changes some questions and which support comes first. You can change it any time.
Everything you enter stays on this phone. Nothing is sent to your doctor, the hospital or anyone else. Unladen Together is a prototype. It is not a medical or emergency service and does not give medical advice. It is not connected to any hospital or Parkinson's organisation.
Take a moment.
You don't have to sort anything out right now. Sit down somewhere safe and let your breathing slow.
If it's a medical emergency, call 000
For example a fall with an injury or a knock to the head, trouble breathing or swallowing, chest pain, or sudden severe confusion.
Breathe with this
What you might be feeling
- Frightened, or worried about what's coming
- Angry at the illness, at yourself, or at the people closest to you
- Guilty, or like a burden
- Worn out, or numb
- Grief for the way things used to be
All of these are normal. Feelings like these come and go, and they are easier to carry when they're shared.
Ground yourself
Look around. Name them, out loud or in your head.
Call someone now
Save your Parkinson's nurse, GP and family numbers in so they're here when you need them.
What helps after
How have the last few days been?
Tap the answer closest to how it's been. There are no wrong answers.
Please talk to someone now
You said you've had thoughts of harming yourself or not wanting to be here. Please call one of these now. If you're in immediate danger, call 000.
Travelling OK
This phone isn't letting the page save. Your result shows here but won't be kept.
Low mood and worry are part of Parkinson's
Parkinson's changes the brain chemicals that affect mood, not only movement. Depression, anxiety and losing interest in things are common, and they can be treated. Tell your GP, neurologist or Parkinson's nurse how you've been feeling.
About the fall
If you were hurt or hit your head, see a doctor today. Even without an injury, tell your GP, neurologist or Parkinson's nurse. A physiotherapist can help with balance and with getting up safely.
You need time for you, too
Carer Gateway can help arrange a break (respite), counselling and coaching for carers. Ask about short-notice respite if you're close to the edge. Call 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Worth telling the doctor or nurse?
Add what you ticked to your notes for the next appointment, so it doesn't get forgotten.
What might help
People you can call
This check-in isn't a medical assessment. It's a way to notice how you're going over time.
How it's been going
Last 14 days
Check-ins
This phone isn't letting the page save, so check-ins won't be kept.
Privacy & your data
Add a PIN, download what you've entered, or delete everything from this phone.
What to tell them, what to ask
Appointments go fast. Jot things down as they happen, then bring this list along or read from it. It stays on this phone.
My notes
Send your notes to yourself or a family member before the appointment.
Bring someone if you can
A second person can listen, take notes and remember what was said. Ask the doctor to write down anything important, and ask what to do if things change before your next visit.
Carrying it, day to day
What other people with Parkinson's and their families say helps. Tap a heading to open it. This is general information, not medical advice.
After the diagnosis
Shock, fear, grief, anger, even relief at finally having a name for it: people feel all of these, often in the same week.
- You don't have to tell everyone at once. Start with the people you trust most.
- Parkinson's NSW has nurses on its HealthLine (1800 727 567) and programs for people who have just been diagnosed.
- Many people find it helps to meet others living with Parkinson's, through a support group or online.
- Parkinson's usually changes slowly. There is time to learn and plan.
Low mood, worry and losing interest
Depression, anxiety and apathy (not feeling like doing anything) are common in Parkinson's. They can be part of the condition itself, not a sign that you're coping badly.
- They can be treated. Tell your GP, neurologist or Parkinson's nurse.
- Worry can be worse when medication is wearing off. Notice whether it follows a pattern, and write it in your notes.
- Parkinson's NSW has counsellors who understand Parkinson's. Ask through the HealthLine.
Feeling like a burden
Needing more help can feel like losing yourself. Many people with Parkinson's say this is the hardest part.
- Needing help doesn't change what you give to the people around you.
- Talk about it. Your family may be worrying about the same things, and saying it out loud often brings relief on both sides.
- Outside help (cleaning, gardening, transport, respite) can take pressure off the people you love, so time together is more than care.
Falls and near falls
Falls and near falls are common as Parkinson's changes balance and walking. They can knock your confidence as much as your body.
- If you're hurt or hit your head, see a doctor. Call 000 in an emergency.
- Tell your GP, neurologist or Parkinson's nurse about every fall, even small ones.
- Ask about a physiotherapist, and an occupational therapist to check your home.
- Staying active, with exercise that suits you, helps many people with Parkinson's.
Changes in memory, thinking or what you see
Some people with Parkinson's notice slower thinking, trouble finding words, or seeing things that aren't there. Some Parkinson's medicines can contribute.
- It isn't your fault, and it's worth mentioning early. Tell your doctor or Parkinson's nurse.
- Don't stop or change medicines without talking to your doctor first.
- The National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500, 24/7) takes calls from anyone worried about memory or thinking, and from families.
If you go into hospital
- Tell staff straight away that you have Parkinson's.
- Bring your medicines and a written list of the times you take them. Taking Parkinson's medicine on time matters.
- If a dose is late, speak up, or ask a family member to.
Getting the most from appointments
- Write down what you've noticed as it happens, not the night before.
- Put your most important question first.
- Bring someone to listen and take notes.
- Ask whether a Parkinson's nurse, physiotherapist, speech pathologist or occupational therapist could help.
When caring gets heavy
Caring for someone you love can be tiring, lonely and full of guilt, all at once. Needing a break doesn't mean you love them less.
- Carer Gateway (1800 422 737) can arrange respite, counselling, coaching and practical help for carers.
- Parkinson's NSW runs support groups for carers, and its counsellors see carers too.
- Look after your own health. Keep your own GP appointments.
- Accept offers of help, and give people a specific job.
Grieving someone who is still here
You might grieve the plans you made, the way you used to talk, or the partner or parent they were. This grief is real, even though they are still here.
- It often comes in waves, set off by small things.
- It can sit alongside love, gratitude and good days.
- Talking to a counsellor or other carers can help you carry it.
Changes in mood or behaviour
Parkinson's and some of its medicines can change how a person acts. Some people become low or withdrawn. Some see things that aren't there. Some medicines can cause strong urges, such as gambling, shopping, eating or sexual behaviour that isn't like them.
- It's the illness or the medicine, not a choice they're making to hurt you.
- Tell their doctor or Parkinson's nurse. These changes can often be treated or the medicines adjusted.
- Don't stop their medicines suddenly without medical advice.
- If you ever feel unsafe, call 000.
Broken nights
Parkinson's often disturbs sleep, for the person and for whoever sleeps nearby. Some people move, call out or act out their dreams in their sleep.
- Mention night-time changes to their doctor.
- If they move a lot in their sleep, make the bedroom safe, and it's OK to sleep apart for a while.
- Your own sleep matters. Ask Carer Gateway about overnight respite.
Talking together
People often protect each other by staying quiet. The person with Parkinson's doesn't want to worry the family. The family doesn't want to upset them. Both end up carrying it alone.
Words to start with
"I've been worrying about something, and I'd rather talk about it with you than keep it to myself."
"I don't need you to fix it. I just need you to hear it."
"What's the hardest part for you at the moment?"
"I want to keep being your partner, not only your carer."
- Pick a calm moment, not straight after a hard one.
- Take turns. Each person gets to say how it is for them.
- A counsellor can help if conversations keep going wrong.
Staying close
- Keep some time that isn't about Parkinson's: a walk, music, a meal out, old friends.
- Let the person with Parkinson's keep doing what they can, even if it's slower.
- Changes in intimacy are common. It's OK to raise them with a GP or counsellor.
Planning ahead
Talking about the future while things are steady means the person with Parkinson's gets to decide what matters to them.
- Think about who would make decisions if they couldn't (an enduring guardian) and who would manage money (an enduring power of attorney).
- An advance care plan records what care they would and wouldn't want.
- The National Advance Care Planning Support Service can help: 1300 208 582, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm.
People to call
Save the numbers you'd want in a hard moment. They stay on this phone and show up on the Help now screen.
Support lines
You don't have to work it out alone
For people with Parkinson's, and for partners, children and friends. You choose what to use, and when.
From your clinic
A hospital or clinic can add its own Parkinson's nurse, social work and support numbers here.
Parkinson's and carer support
Parkinson's NSW also runs more than 70 support groups across NSW, including groups for carers and for people with young onset Parkinson's. Ask the HealthLine for one near you.
People who can help
- A Parkinson's nurse. Specialist nurses help with symptoms, medicines, and knowing where to go next. Ask your neurologist or the HealthLine.
- Your GP. Can set up a care plan, refer you to allied health, and a Mental Health Treatment Plan for Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions.
- Allied health. Physiotherapists for movement and balance, speech pathologists for voice and swallowing, occupational therapists for home and daily life.
- A counsellor. For the person with Parkinson's, for carers, or together.
Text or chat instead of calling
For when talking out loud is hard, or when speech is soft or slow.
For particular situations
Spiritual and religious support
Hospitals and many aged care services have chaplains or pastoral carers. They support people of any faith or none, and their role is to listen, not to persuade. Some people find strength in faith or ritual. Others find it in nature, music or quiet. Whatever gives you meaning counts.
Numbers and services are for New South Wales and Australia-wide.
Your phone, your data
PIN lock
Useful on a shared phone or tablet. Asks for a PIN when the app opens, and after it has been in the background for a minute.
PIN is on.
The PIN stops someone else opening the app. It doesn't encrypt what's stored, so keep your phone locked too. If you forget it, you can delete everything and start again.
Hide the screen
Tap the eye button at the top of any screen to cover the app straight away. Tap to come back, or enter your PIN if you've set one.
Download my data
Everything you've entered (check-ins, notes and contacts) as a text file. You could keep a copy, or show it to your GP or counsellor.
Delete everything
Deletes your check-ins, notes, contacts and PIN from this phone.
Delete everything from this phone? This can't be undone.
About Unladen Together
Unladen Together is a prototype made by Co-Synthesist Pty Ltd, Newcastle NSW. It isn't a medical or emergency service and doesn't give medical advice. It isn't connected to any hospital, clinic or Parkinson's organisation. The questions haven't been clinically validated yet.
What's stored: who is using the phone, your check-ins, appointment notes, saved contacts and settings, only in this phone's browser. Nothing is sent to anyone. There are no accounts, analytics or trackers.
Feedback: the feedback form is the only part of Unladen Together that sends anything, and only when you press Send. It doesn't include anything else from the app.
Keep in mind: if you clear your browser data or remove the app, what you've entered goes too. Download a copy first if you want to keep it.
Version 0.1 prototype · September 2026