5 Effects of Parkinson’s Disease on Family Members

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What are the Effects of Parkinson’s Disease on Family in Montgomery, AL

Seniors living with Parkinson’s experience a variety of symptoms that progress as time passes. The symptoms aging adults experience secondary to neurological malfunctions change their lives forever. However, the disease process also impacts the entire family in a variety of ways.

1. Spousal Impacts

A beloved spouse may assume the role of caregiver for his or her significant other, which can strengthen the relationship. However, the caregiver must be prepared for stressful moments. Allow your loved one to remain as independent as possible regardless of the desire to help. Socializing together puts your loved one on an equal footing that enables both of you to enjoy special moments while forgetting about the disease for a while. Spouses must also realize that the opportunities for intimacy can also change, as the other spouse may be too uncomfortable or fatigued.

2. Effects on Adult Children

When an adult child decides to become a caregiver for his or her parent, the task may cause conflict among siblings. You may feel your siblings aren’t pitching in enough, or you and your siblings may disagree about the care and treatment your parent receives. Consider having routine family meetings to openly discuss conflicts when they arise. Allow everyone to express their opinions, and address any concerns family members might have. Work together to create solutions. 

At some point, your loved one may get a great deal of benefit from having a professional caregiver help with everyday tasks. Families looking for top-rated homecare service providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.

3. Impacts on Younger Children

Grandchildren may experience shock and sadness when first learning of a grandparent’s diagnosis. Some may have a long list of questions. Explain the condition in simple terms and describe how the disease might affect the family from one day to the next. Especially young children may feel put out if they’re not getting the degree of attention they’re accustomed to. Allow your children to help as much as necessary to enable them to feel useful.

4. Interrupted Sleep

Seniors with Parkinson’s may need to wake up during the night and use the bathroom or require a position change. As physical symptoms progress, they’ll need the assistance of family members, which causes disrupted sleep patterns. If not managed constructively, you may experience fatigue and emotional issues secondary to a lack of sleep. If possible, have family members take turns performing nightly duties to ensure one person doesn’t experience the brunt of sleep deprivation.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be difficult to manage, and family caregivers can easily get overwhelmed. Montgomery elderly home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.

5. Emotional Issues

As the symptoms progress and care needs become more extensive, the entire family may experience fatigue or burnout. Tensions among family members may build and manifest as anxiety or depression. Take care of each other along with caring for your loved one. Everyone in the family must take breaks from their caregiving duties by making time for themselves. You can all engage in solo hobbies, or perhaps the whole family can escape for a temporary getaway while having a professional in-home caregiver take over while you’re away. 

Many seniors in the later stages of Parkinson’s can continue to live at home, but they’ll likely need assistance from a family member or other caregiver to do so safely. For many seniors in Montgomery, AL, live-in care is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they can trust and rely on. At Home Care Assistance, we extensively screen all of our live-in and 24-hour caregivers and only hire those who have experience in the senior home care industry. Our strict requirements ensure seniors can remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness. To schedule a free in-home consultation, give us a call at (334) 593-3988 today.

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