Parkinson’s Disease Home Care & Support – Parkinson’s Caregivers
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological disease that affects motor skills. The nervous system is like a communication center and helps one make sense of what is happening inside and outside the body. Parkinson’s Disease usually begins when a person is in his/her 50’s or 60’s. The cause is unknown at this time. Parkinson’s Disease touches every area of the individual’s life. Care partners and family, especially spouses, are also affected. Knowledge of specific training and holistic approach are key to providing the best services to persons affected by Parkinson’s and their family members.
Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease can include:
The symptoms of Parkinson’s are caused by over-activity or under-activity of cholinergic or dopamine (chemical messengers in the brain).
Musculoskeletal Changes
- Weakness and stiffness
- Tremors
- May have slumped, bent-over posture
- Shuffling walk, poor balance
Gastrointestinal Changes
- Drooling
- Constipation
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Personality Changes
- Mood changes
- Confusion
Intervention and Management of Parkinson’s Disease Patients
Treatments mainly address issues of mobility; slowness of movement, freezing, rigidity and stiffness and involuntary movements. Medications reminders are very important here related to the time sensitivity of the peak time of the drug.
- Maintain mobility
- Encourage range-of-motion (ROM) exercises per care plan (Second most important treatment after medication)
- Maintain adequate nutrition and fluid
- Maintain a safe environment
- Maintain independence
- Keep the client’s room free of clutter
- Encourage the client to use assistive devices for walking.
- Provide for frequent rest periods
- Give small frequent meals high in fiber
- Encourage the client to increase fluid intake
- Keep tasks simple
- Support the client by listening to his/her concerns about his/her loss of abilities
Nutritional Considerations for Parkinson’s Disease Patients
If weight loss is a problem, serve foods the person still enjoys (sweet is the flavor to go). A client with Parkinson’s eats most effectively when they have independence so:
- Cut food into small pieces
- Utilize special utensils, cups for beverages, plates with lips, and non-slip surfaces for plates
- If swallowing becomes a problem, foods may need to be pureed, liquids thickened or the family may consider a feeding tube
- Excess saliva
- Offer hard candy or gum this can help the client remember to swallow
- Eat a balanced diet with all of the daily nutritional requirements
- Maintain bone health
- Maintain bowel regularity, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and increase fluids as tolerated
Your Trusted Source for In Home Health Care and Support for Parkinson’s Disease Patients – Parkinson’s In-Home Caregivers
Homewatch CareGivers offers In Home Care Services for Parkinson’s Disease Patients throughout Chicago and the North Shore suburbs including both Cook County and Lake County. We provide our home care, senior care and dementia care services to residents of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Highland Park, Fort Sheridan, Highwood, Kenilworth, Lake Forest, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Lincolnshire, Lincolnwood, Libertyville, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka.
As part of the Homewatch CareGivers nationwide family, we are backed with the resources of one of America’s largest and most trusted home care service organizations.