Senior Care in Fairfax VA

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder that attacks the central nervous system. It can cause tremors, slowness in movement, stiffness in the muscles, and a lack of balance and mobility. The symptoms will progressively get worse, making it nearly impossible for the elder to control their movements or shaking. Eventually, they will need a senior care provider to help them with a wide range of tasks, including bathing, feeding, brushing their teeth, and cooking.

A Parkinson’s disease diagnoses can be devastating to the entire family, but having a more thorough knowledge of the disease will help you and other family members help with the caregiving responsibilities.

How to Care for a Senior with Parkinson’s Disease

• Know everything about the disease. The first step to caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease is learning as much about the illness as possible. There are a number of resources online that will help you gain the knowledge needed on this illness, but you can also see if your local hospital or senior center has brochures or literature on the topic.
• Remove stress from their life. If your elder is stressed, their symptoms could become even worse. Encourage your loved one to reduce stress through relaxation techniques, like deep breathing exercises, yoga, or meditation.
• Stay social. The more isolated the senior is, the more time they will have to focus on their Parkinson’s disease diagnoses. They may find comfort in joining a support group for people with this disease, where they can hear stories and advice from others with the condition. They may also enjoy being surrounded by friends and family.
• Physical therapy. A physical therapist can help your loved one by showing them exercises and techniques that will lessen the frequency of their symptoms.
• Exercise. As much as they may not want to, physical activities can actually provide relief from their symptoms, as well as reducing feelings of stress and improving their mood. Research shows that those with Parkinson’s disease who exercise regularly do better than those who do not. Check with the elder’s doctor before they begin any new exercise program in order to make sure it is safe for them to do.

Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can be life changing, especially since the symptoms will continue to get worse the longer the elder has the disease. But with these tips, you may help the senior have fewer symptoms and a much more positive outlook.

Source:
http://www.asaging.org/blog/effective-parkinsons-disease-management
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia/parkinsons-disease-and-dementia.htm

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Fairfax, VA please contact the caring staff at Assisting Hands today. (703) 982-0050.