Help Seniors Suffering from Parkinson’s Disease
07/16/2013
How to be there and care for someone Suffering from Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system. It’s more common in the elderly, with most cases occurring after the age of 50. Early in the course of the disease, the most obvious symptoms are movement-related, including shaking, rigidity, slowness and difficulty with walking. Later, thinking and behavioral problems may arise, with dementia commonly occurring in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s Disease. When a senior family member or a loved one is diagnosed with the Parkinson’s Disease, it’s natural to feel helpless at first, but do know this: there are a number of things we can do to help. Here are six:- Learn all you can about Parkinson’s Disease, its symptoms and progression. Act as a source of knowledge for your loved one while gaining insight on how they must be feeling. Learn what kind of physical changes and conditions to expect from the disease.
- Encourage the person with Parkinson’s Disease to exercise. Physical activity has many benefits including strengthening the heart, relieving stress, and helping people become more flexible while building endurance. It’s also important to find a healthy balance between helping them and allowing them to do tasks on their own. Whatever abilities they don’t use, they will lose, so it’s important for them to do as much as they can for as long as they can.
- Offer to drive your loved one to the doctor and therapy sessions. As the disease progresses, the Parkinson’s sufferer may no longer be able to drive a vehicle or walk to a bus stop. He or she will need help getting to appointments, physical therapy, support group meetings, and social gatherings; not to mention grocery shopping and the like.
- Listen patiently and help them communicate. Those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease often have a difficult time communicating verbally. Using hand gestures can also become a challenge due to shaking hands. Answer the phone for your elderly loved one, help them write correspondence, or even teach them how to use a computer and write email.
- Keep floors clear of trip hazards. Be sure to remove any household items that may present trip hazards, such as throw rugs, electrical cords, or uneven flooring Because people with Parkinson’s Disease often revert to shuffling, these fall hazards pose an even more likely threat than for other seniors.
- When the need arises, ask for help or find a long-term care facility This will vary for each person but as the disease progresses the decision must be made if your loved one is no longer safe living on his or her own.