Parkinson’s Disease Care

Parkinson’s Disease Care

Parkinson’s disease is an increasingly common nervous system disorder. It may result in shaking and lack of coordination, difficulty speaking and swallowing. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease can still live well, with the support of in-home care services. Providing proper nutrition, help with daily activities, exercise and keeping your loved ones safe in their own home are part of our care plan.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is one of a larger group of neurological conditions called “motor system disorders”. It is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the nervous system. Symptoms vary from tremor and involuntary movement to rigidity and immobility. As the disease progresses, the patient’s motor control diminishes impairing speech, swallowing, and increasing the risk of injuries from falling.

In the normal brain, some nerve cells produce the chemical dopamine, which transmits signals within the brain to produce smooth movement of muscles. In Parkinson’s patients, 80 percent or more of these dopamine-producing cells are damaged, dead, or otherwise degenerated. This causes the nerve cells to fire wildly, leaving patients unable to control their movements and emotions.

Some symptoms include:
- Tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face.
- Rigidity, or stiffness of limbs and trunk.
- Bradykinesia, or slowness of movement.
- Postural instability or impaired balance and coordination.
- Though Parkinson’s disease can be crippling or disabling, experts say early symptoms of the disease may be so subtle and gradual that patients sometimes ignore them or attribute them to the effects of aging. At first, patients may feel overly tired, “down in the dumps,” or a little shaky. Their speech may become soft and they may become irritable for no reason. Movements may be stiff, unsteady, or unusually slow.

Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Treatments for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s differ depending on their symptoms. Some treatments and lifestyle changes that help manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms include:

Medications prescribed by a physician
Surgical procedures
A healthy diet
Daily exercise, especially exercise that increases flexibility or balance
In-Home Care Services for Parkinson’s Disease
Our in-home caregivers can provide the steady, focused attention and care that’s required to support the lifestyle changes that affect loved ones with Parkinson’s disease. They can also provide other support that’s critical in caring for patients with this illness, including:

- Preventing falls and helping with stairs, getting up and down from chairs or beds.
- Helping with feeding, bathing, grooming and other tasks.
- Taking swallowing precautions with foods for clients who have difficulties
- Ensuring an upright posture when eating to reduce choking.
- For those with or caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease, sometimes a little extra help is needed. If you choose Alpine Home - - Care to help you, our skilled and trained caregivers will help deliver home care that helps manage symptoms, monitors safety, but ensures independence where possible.

Our number one concern at Alpine Home Care is your loved ones’ comfort and your peace-of-mind.  Everyday, we strive to provide the very best in-home care, so your family member maintains their independence and personal dignity.  We provide personal care assistance, and developed specialty care programs to help those struggling with various chronic health conditions successfully cope in the comfort and safety of their home.

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We provide caregiver services on both an hourly and live-in basis. Call today for more information at 855-325-7463