While caring for a senior loved one with Parkinson’s can be challenging, it’s important to remember you aren’t alone. With a solid support team and a long-term treatment plan, you’ll be able to avoid some of the most common roadblocks caregivers run into. Here’s a quick look at a few of the steps you can take to provide world-class care to a loved one with Parkinson’s.
Seek Out Medical Specialists
Your loved one’s primary doctor is going to be invaluable in the coming years, but you’ll need to seek out some medical specialists as well. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions of the nervous system, and one of these professionals can help you come up with a long-term treatment plan for your loved one. If you’re having a difficult time finding a neurologist, you might want to ask your loved one’s primary doctor for recommendations.
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 the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care service. 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 serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Research Parkinson’s Treatments & Medications
Healthy lifestyle habits and holistic therapies can be highly effective, but you need to consider professional treatments and prescription medications as well. Even though doctors haven’t been able to come up with a cure for Parkinson’s disease, some of the worst symptoms can be mitigated with various procedures and drugs. At the very least, you should speak with a neurologist about dopamine promoters. These medications trigger the production of dopamine, and studies have revealed they can minimize tremors, muscle pain, and rigidity.
Establish a Healthy Diet
Parkinson’s disease impacts the muscles throughout the face and neck, which is why many seniors with Parkinson’s have a difficult time chewing and swallowing. For your loved one to stay healthy, you’ll need to find nutrient-dense foods and drinks that are easy to eat and digest, such as beans, cooked whole grains, steamed vegetables, canned tuna, berries, vegetable smoothies, and protein shakes. You might also need to supplement your loved one’s diet with high-quality vitamins to reduce the risk of a nutritional deficiency.
Focus on Physical Training
Quite a few studies have revealed that physical training is one of the most effective ways to combat the symptoms of Parkinson’s, which is one of the reasons many neurologists immediately send seniors with Parkinson’s to physical and occupational therapists. At least a few times a week, your loved one should meet with a therapist who can help with strengthening the muscles and increasing flexibility.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Montgomery, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
Put a Support Team Together
As Parkinson’s progresses, the symptoms are likely to worsen, and there may come a time when you need to ask for help. Getting assistance from friends and loved ones is going to make your life much easier in the coming years. These individuals can occasionally stop by with meals or take your loved one to appointments. Socialization is going to be very beneficial for your loved one as well, and interacting with multiple people could delay some of the cognitive issues Parkinson’s causes.
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 Montgomery elder 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. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (334) 593-3988 today.