Home Help For Parkinson’s Patients

Parkinsons Home Exercise Program

You dont need to join a gym or purchase expensive fitness equipment to stay active with Parkinsons disease. On the contrary, there are many great exercises that you can do from the comfort of your home, regardless of which stage of the disease you are in. Take a look at some great examples in the sections below.

Why Are Elders More Likely To Develop Parkinson’s Disease

This is a degenerative disease that most likely effects adults 41 and over. However, since it is a slowly progressing condition, it is often in the senior years that individuals with Parkinson’s show clear symptoms. As noted, it is difficult to diagnose this disease. Therefore, it is often in the late stage when symptoms are more pronounced that individuals are diagnosed. By this time, they are more likely to be in their senior years.

Eating With Parkinsons Disease

Specially designed eating utensils for Parkinsons patients feature padded or built-up handles to help facilitate the eating process. Individuals who have difficulty controlling the fine motor skills necessary for eating and drinking may also benefit from weighted utensils and cups. Knives with a curved blade can allow PD patients to cut their own food with a rocking motion instead of the traditional sawing motion that may be more challenging. Serving meals in bowls or on plates with high lips or sides can make it much easier for patients to scoop food onto utensils and encourages self-feeding. Dishware with non-skid rubber bottoms can be helpful as well.

Read:Dysphagia: How to Help a Loved One Eat and Drink Safely

Prescription medications may also cause side effects like dry mouth, so it is very important to always encourage your loved one to sip on liquids during meals and throughout the day. This will help facilitate eating and swallowing and ensure they stay hydrated.

Also Check: Stages Of Parkinson’s What To Expect

Caregiving At Home: A Guide To Community Resources

Includes information on assessing needs, values & preferences to determine what kind of help/support will best work, and how to hold a family meeting. Also, community care options, like friends/family/neighbors/religious community, Californias Caregiver Resource Centers, AAAs, senior centers, adult daycare, respite care, meals, Caregiver managers and more.

Making Your Home Safe

As Parkinsons progresses, a person with the condition experiences more mobility issues. Theyll need more assistance going about their day-to-day lives. Getting around their home safely might also become a little more challenging.

Here are a couple of things you can do to make your home safer for a person with Parkinsons disease:

• Keep the floors clear: Any things that can easily be tripped over on the floors of your home, like electrical cords, should be kept away. Keep the usual path they take through the house as clear as possible.
• Install ramps when needed: At the later stages of Parkinsons, a persons mobility might become so restricted that they need a wheelchair. Its essential to make your home wheelchair-friendly and accessible if this happens.
• Make your bathroom safer: Install grab bars around the tub and anti-slip mats in them if you have a bathtub. Also, keep personal hygiene products within easy reach to prevent them from slipping or falling over trying to reach for them.

Recommended Reading: Dr. Andrew Parkinson Oklahoma City

Recommended Reading: Very First Sign Of Parkinson’s

Options For Parkinsons Disease Care

These burdens can ultimately lead a family caregiver to explore alternatives for Parkinsons disease care. Eventually, many decide to place their loved ones in long-term care facilities, such as assisted living or a nursing home.

Assisted living residents usually receive help with daily tasks, meal preparation, medication management, and escorts to doctors appointments. A nurse is onsite 24/7 and apartments are equipped with emergency call buttons so residents can summon help when necessary.

However, assisted living facilities generally arent equipped to care for people with severe mobility problems or advanced dementia. As a result, your loved one will likely be transferred to a skilled nursing facility once they reach the advanced stages of Parkinsons disease. Unfortunately, the expense of assisted living could quickly deplete their financial resources, limiting your choice of facilities to Medicaid nursing homes.

Nursing homes have their own issues. Even the best facilities tend to be understaffed, and few can provide the level of one-on-one care most people desire for their loved ones. Residents will be competing with each other for staff members limited attention, and those with advanced Parkinsons disease may not be able to communicate in a way that ensures their needs are met. These same issues may also make Parkinsons disease patients more vulnerable to physical or sexual abuse.

Understanding Home Health Vs Home Care

In this 1-hour webinar gerontologist Lakelyn Hogan and healthcare strategist LaNita Knoke explain the difference between home health and home care services, the costs and benefits of both, and how they can be especially helpful during the transition from hospital to home. Questions and considerations that should be addressed when choosing whom to provide these services is also discussed.

Don’t Miss: Parkinson’s And Prostate Problems

Foster A Good Relationship

Lastly, maintaining your relationship and communication with the person with Parkinsonâs can be the most challenging and rewarding aspect of caregiving. As Parkinsonâs disease progresses, the roles change and the person with Parkinsonâs may go from being an independent head of the household to a very dependent person requiring a significant level of care. However, research shows that despite high levels of strain, caregivers with good quality relationships have reduced depression and better physical health. Remember, as a caregiver your service to your loved one is beyond measure in terms of love, depth of care, and concern.

Recommended Reading: Parkinsons Hallucinations Commercial

What Should We Look For In A Nursing Home Facility

The following checklist will help you and your family to evaluate different nursing homes. Review the checklist before your visit to the facility. Be sure to take this checklist with you.

Nursing Home Checklist

FIRST: Ask for a list of references of people who have used their facility and are willing to speak to prospective residents. Your physician may have experience with a particular facility.

Facility

• Does the nursing home provide the level of care needed, such as skilled or intermediate care?
• Does the nursing home meet local and/or state licensing requirements?
• Does the nursing home’s administrator have an up-to-date license?
• Does the nursing home meet state fire regulations ?
• What are the visiting hours?
• What is the policy on insurance and personal property?
• What is the procedure for responding to a medical emergency?
• Does the nursing home have a Medicare license?

Admission

• Is there a waiting period for admission?
• What are the admission requirements?

Fees and financing

• Have fees increased significantly in the past few years?
• Is the fee structure easy to understand?
• What are the billing, payment, and credit policies?
• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?
• Are the billing and accounting procedures understandable?
• Does the nursing home reveal what services are covered in the quoted fee and what services are extra?
• What governmental financing options are accepted ?
• When may a contract be terminated? What is the refund policy?

Staff

Read Also: Leg Weakness Parkinson’s Disease

Planning For Cognitive Changes For A Parkinsons Patient

1- Watch for Hallucinations

Hallucinations become common in severe stages of Parkinsons and are usually caused by an increased dopamine level which is not good for their mobility problems.

• Book an appointment with a neurologist.
• Try to minimize this psychotic symptom as early as possible.

2- Cognitive changes and Parkinsons

In the middle to last stages, Parkinsons causes changes in behavior and cognitive decline in your loved ones, and it can adversely affect their mobility.

• Consult with a speech therapist if your loved one finds difficulty in communication 90% of Parkinsons patients have a progressive motor speech disorder.
• Be flexible and understand their condition patiently, help them in multi-tasking, problem-solving, and planning.
• Give them more time to respond and encourage open communications.

3- Managing Sleep with Parkinsons

Planning for REM sleep for a Parkinsons patient is critical to slowing cognitive declines. Parkinsons creates many challenges to getting rest and a good nights sleep, both for the patient and the caregiver this is triggered due to limited mobility, the effect of meds causing bad dreams or hallucinations, and frequent nighttime visits to the bathroom due to limited bladder control. Here are a few tips:

4- SKILLED THERAPIES, TREATMENT, MEDICATIONS

• Massage therapy

• Deep brain stimulation

Voice Screening App Delivers Rapid Results For Parkinson’s And Severe Covid

by RMIT University

IEEE Access

A new screening test app could help advance the early detection of Parkinson’s disease and severe COVID-19, improving the management of these illnesses.

Developed by a research team of engineers and neurologists led by RMIT University in Melbourne, the test can produce accurate results using just people’s voice recordings.

Millions of people worldwide have Parkinson’s, which is a degenerative brain condition that can be challenging to diagnose as symptoms vary among people. Common symptoms include slow movement, tremor, rigidity and imbalance.

Currently, Parkinson’s is diagnosed through an evaluation by a neurologist that can take up to 90 minutes.

Powered by artificial intelligence, the smartphone App records a person’s voice and takes just 10 seconds to reveal whether they may have Parkinson’s disease and should be referred to a neurologist.

Lead researcher Professor Dinesh Kumar, from RMIT’s School of Engineering, said the easy-to-use screening test made it ideal to use in a national screening program. He said the team had developed a similar test for people with COVID-19 to reveal whether they need clinical attention, including hospitalization.

“Early detection, diagnosis and treatment could help manage these illnesses, and so making screening faster and more accessible is critical,” Kumar said.

How the technology works

The team wants to perform a larger, observational study to detect the progression of Parkinson’s and pulmonary diseases.

Read Also: Cialis And Parkinson’s Disease

Drugs Used To Treat Parkinsons Disease

Medications can help manage problems with limb movement, mobility, and tremors. Since Parkinsons in the elderly varies from person to person, your loved ones doctor will likely prescribe medications based on their individual symptoms and medical history. All medications have side effects, so its important to talk to a medical provider about whether a certain drug is right for your parent with Parkinsons disease.

Since people with Parkinsons disease have low brain dopamine concentrations, many of these medicines increase or substitute for dopamine, according to Mayo Clinic. Twenty-four different drugs are currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Parkinsons disease, and that list continues to grow as new research progresses. Consult your doctor for more information about individual medicines that may help your loved one. Some common families of medications to reduce PD symptoms include the following:

Comfort Home Cares Professional In

Comfort Home Care has offered reliable in-home care services for individuals managing Parkinsons Disease and their caregivers since 1999. We employ talented and experienced Geriatric Nursing Assistants and Certified Nursing Assistants who are licensed iby the state of Maryland. Comfort Home Care can offer quality in-home care services for individuals and caregivers in Montgomery County. To ensure that our clients are being cared for by the best professionals available, our hiring process includes the following components:

• Thorough in-person interview
• Comprehensive national criminal background check
• In-depth review of personal references
• Evaluation of oral and written communication abilities

Recommended Reading: Signs Of Parkinson Disease Early Symptoms

How Do We Find The Right Nursing Home Facility

Finding the right nursing home takes time. It is important to begin the search for a suitable nursing home well before you will need to take the step of moving. There are often long waiting periods. Planning ahead can also make the transition of moving into a nursing home much easier.

Family and caregivers should talk about what services will be needed. Take time to consider what services are important to you before calling different nursing homes. Think about what kind of help is needed and how often it’s needed.

Before scheduling a visit to the nursing homes you are interested in, ask about vacancies, admission requirements, level of care provided, and participation in government-funded health insurance options.

Parkinsons Home Care Services In New York

Parkinsons disease can take over slowly, and it often goes unnoticed for some time. A persistent tremor in your hands or limbs and a slowing or complete loss of movement could ensue. In order to maintain your quality of life, and to maintain the ability to complete the activities of daily living on your own for as long as possible, it is critical to monitor and manage the disease. Hiring someone for in-home care to assist with daily tasks or to provide nursing care for you or your family member could really support some of the difficulties associated with Parkinsons disease.

When you or your loved one starts home care with Alliance, well get started on a Parkinsons homecare plan to fit the disease stage and personal preferences of the patient. The plan of care will aim to treat Parkinsons, as well as keep up with the other important aspects of the patients physical and mental health. Our home health care aides, registered nurses, and other in-home care professionals will establish and carry out the Parkinsons homecare plan in coordination with you and your loved ones to provide the best life possible for the patient. With Alliances team of home caregivers, you will find quality assistance and personal care for the Parkinsons patient in the comfort of your own home.

A typical home health care plan may include:

Read Also: Late Stage Parkinson’s Treatment

How Do We Pay For Nursing Home Care

As you and your family evaluate your long-term care needs, it’s important to consider financing options. Payment for nursing home care can be made through Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and personal funds. When evaluating nursing homes, it’s important to ask the administrative staff what payment options they accept. Here’s a brief summary of some of the financing options:

• Medicare is a federal health insurance program providing healthcare benefits to all Americans age 65 and older. Insurance protection intended to cover major hospital care is provided without regard to income, but only restricted benefits are allowed for nursing home care. In addition, Medicare only pays for skilled care in a nursing facility that has a Medicare license.
• Medicaid is a joint federal/state health insurance program providing medical care benefits to low-income Americans who meet certain requirements. Nursing home care is covered through Medicaid, but eligibility requirements and covered services vary widely from state to state.
• Private long-term care insurance is a health insurance option that, if purchased, supplements Medicare coverage. Private long-term care insurance policies vary greatly. Each policy has its own eligibility requirements, restrictions, costs, and benefits.

Free Inhome Consultation From Assisting Hands

If you have a loved one who suffers from Parkinsons disease and needs help at home, contact Assisting Hands Home Care for our Parkinsons home care. We will provide a free in-home consultation to understand the care needs of your loved ones and form an appropriate care plan. Give us a call at for information about our Parkinsons care services in Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Illinois and the surrounding areas in DuPage county.

Recommended Reading: Best Type Of Magnesium For Parkinson’s

Drug Therapy And Research

If the disease progresses beyond minor symptoms, drug treatment may be indicated. Drug therapy for Parkinsonâs typically provides relief for 10â15 years or more. The most commonly prescribed medication is L-dopa , and this helps replenish some of the depleted dopamine in the brain. Sinemet, a combination of levodopa and carbidopa, is the drug most doctors use to treat Parkinsonâs disease. Recent clinical studies have suggested, in the younger person, the class of drugs called âdopamine agonistsâ should be used prior to levodopa-carpidopa except in patients with cognitive problems or hallucinations. In those older than 75, dopamine agonists should be used cautiously because of an added risk of hallucinations.

Other drugs are also used, and new drugs are continually being tested. It is common for multiple drugs to be prescribed because many of them work well together to control symptoms and reduce side effects. Contrary to past beliefs, starting Sinemet in newly diagnosed people does not lead to early symptoms of dyskinesia . Current knowledge is that the disease progression causes dyskinesias, not a âresistanceâ to the drug.

Quality of life studies show that early treatment with dopaminergic medications improves daily functioning, prevents falls, and improves a personâs sense of well-being.

Changes In Cognition And Parkinsons Disease

Some people with Parkinsons may experience changes in their cognitive function, including problems with memory, attention, and the ability to plan and accomplish tasks. Stress, depression, and some medications may also contribute to these changes in cognition.

Over time, as the disease progresses, some people may develop dementia and be diagnosed with Parkinsons dementia, a type of Lewy body dementia. People with Parkinsons dementia may have severe memory and thinking problems that affect daily living.

Talk with your doctor if you or a loved one is diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and is experiencing problems with thinking or memory.

Don’t Miss: My Life With Parkinson’s

Build Your Knowledge And Care Team

Continue to read and discover new information on Parkinsons, techniques to manage the disease, and products that may help your loved one continue to live safely at home. New research is happening all the time. Be sure to stay informed, connected to others, and open about what you need now and may need in the future.

Simplifying Activities Of Daily Living For Parkinsons Patients

Many aspects of daily life that we take for granted become increasingly difficult for someone who is living with Parkinsons. Movement symptoms like weakness, tremor, rigidity, balance problems and bradykinesia become especially pronounced in the middle and later stages of the disease. Medications used to treat PD, such as carbidopa-levodopa, dopamine agonists, MAO B inhibitors and anticholinergics, can also have bothersome side effects like dyskinesia , lightheadedness, drowsiness, hallucinations and confusion that interfere with daily routines. Fortunately, there are assistive devices and adaptations that can help patients maintain their quality of life and make caring for someone with Parkinsons easier for family caregivers.

Read Also: Parkinson Bicycle Cleveland Clinic

Read Also: Is Parkinson’s Disease Progressive