Being diagnosed with a degenerative disease such as Parkinson’s can be devastating. While some seniors experience feelings of helplessness as certain abilities begin to decrease, others commit themselves to living lives rich with activities and enjoyment. With a proactive mindset, older adults living with Parkinson’s can maintain their independence and a high quality of life for many years. If you have an aging parent who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, here’s how you can promote his or her independence.
Using Adaptive Techniques
Learning how to adapt movements to reflect changes in physical abilities is one of the most important steps in maintaining independence for a senior living with Parkinson’s. There are many tools and gadgets that can be used for cooking, eating, personal care, and home maintenance. A willingness to secure and adjust to these new tools allows seniors with Parkinson’s to maintain a sense of normalcy. Adaptive tools can also increase safety.
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 everyday activities, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable at-home care. Families trust Align Home Care 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.
Seeking Physical Therapy
Working with a physical therapist is a great way to take advantage of daily exercises that can keep the limbs loose and maintain sufficient range of motion. For those who are opting to use alternative methods or medications to manage Parkinson’s symptoms, it’s also important to work with a nutritionist. These professionals can create eating plans that provide optimal nutritional and restorative benefits.
Managing Stress
As with many other health issues, Parkinson’s tends to worsen under stress. Those with poor stress management skills often experience increased tremors, stiffness, and discomfort. Engaging in physical activities that alleviate stress is therefore vital. In fact, many companies manufacture exercise equipment and offer programs designed for independent use by seniors with Parkinson’s. Not only can exercising shift focus away from issues associated with the disease, but it also works to boost serotonin and dopamine levels, an effective strategy for staving off stress.
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 Align Home Care, a Kennebunk 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.
Opting for In-Home Assistance
During the early stages of the disease, many of your parent’s motor skills will function normally, so he or she may not need assistance from you or another caregiver. It may be sufficient to simply monitor your loved one in these early stages and only step in to prevent an injury or accident. In the later stages of Parkinson’s, seniors may need the assistance of family members or other caregivers to age in place safely. Family caregivers must often juggle their caregiving responsibilities with work and family life, so when a senior requires additional assistance at home as the disease progresses, in-home help from a reliable caregiver can be of great value.
If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior family member and you need respite care, Kennebunk, ME, Align Home Care is here to help. Our respite caregivers are trained to assist older adults with a wide variety of everyday tasks, including meal prep, physical activity, and personal hygiene. We also provide 24-hour care and specialized care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. To learn more about our reliable, compassionate in-home care services, contact us at (207) 835-3490 today.