Parkinson’s affects almost every aspect of life, and your aging loved one is going to need help and support. While caring for a senior with Parkinson’s isn’t easy, there are a few steps you can take to simplify and streamline this process. With a little bit of foresight and some hard work, you’ll be able to provide world-class care to your loved one as he or she manages this neurological disease.
Carefully Track the Symptoms
Many family caregivers don’t realize that seniors who have Parkinson’s disease can experience a wide range of symptoms, and you’ll need to track all of those issues. At least once a day, spend a few minutes writing down any new complications or symptoms you’ve noticed. Over time, you might be able to figure out some patterns or identify a few triggers that are causing those problems.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with everyday activities, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable homecare services. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Simplify Bathing & Grooming
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, it might become difficult for your loved one to brush his or her teeth, shave, and take baths. If you’ve noticed your loved one seems particularly energetic at a certain time each day, try to accomplish those activities at that time. You might also need to invest in a few extra grooming products, such as a toothbrush with a wide handle or an electric razor that won’t cut the skin. For bathing, your loved one might benefit from a comfortable shower chair so he or she doesn’t have to stand up for long periods.
Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Roseville seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Be Wary of What Your Loved One Eats
Around 80 percent of all people with Parkinson’s develop dysphagia, which makes it very difficult to swallow. It also increases the risk of developing pneumonia because the throat muscles aren’t able to keep liquids out of the lungs. One of the best treatments for dysphagia is speech therapy, but you also need to be mindful of what your loved one eats. Softer foods that are easy to chew and swallow tend to be the safest options for seniors with Parkinson’s. If your loved one isn’t eating enough, consider supplementing his or her diet with nutrient-dense protein shakes.
Keep Your Loved One Active During the Day
Studies continue to show that remaining active is one of the most effective ways to delay the progression of Parkinson’s. Regularly exercising can boost your loved one’s physical health and make everyday tasks much easier. Exercising may also help with your loved one’s sleep schedule if he or she has insomnia. Using resistance bands, swimming, dancing, and lifting light weights are all excellent forms of exercise for seniors with Parkinson’s. Those activities can help with common symptoms such as tremors, muscle rigidity, and muscle aches.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a Roseville in-home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. For reliable in-home care services, contact us at (916) 226-3737 today.