Parkinson's is one of the most prevalent diseases among the older population around the world. Talking about America only, around 60,000 elders are diagnosed with the disease annually. People who are 50 years old and above are at the highest risk of developing Parkinson’s.
Parkinson’s disease mainly affects the cerebral abilities of an individual. The brain is the major organ that falls prey to the disease and affects your life to an unimaginable extent. In worst cases, patients are likely to forget about themselves, their life story, family, friends, and even who they have been throughout their life.
The worst part of the disease is that the body loses its ability to coordinate and maintain a balance. The affected individual experiences constant shaking of the body which hampers their ability to even walk, stand, and move on their own. Thus, they require high-quality and persistent care. But this time the level and intensity of care might be different than usual.
If you are already taking care of a Parkinson’s patient or are looking forward to someone, this article is for you! We’ve got some amazing tips for Parkinson’s caregivers. These are likely to help you improve your quality of care. So, keep reading!
Educate yourself about the disease
This tip is for all the caregivers. No matter what is the disease of the individual you're taking care of, educate yourself as much as you can. It will help you devise relevant strategies for providing the necessary care. To serve the purpose, you must investigate educational materials that will help you understand the disease in depth. For Parkinson's, there is a lot of information on the internet. But make sure you extract it from credible sources like the National Parkinson Foundation and blogs of universities like Johns Hopkins, Harvard, etc. Pay special attention to the dos and don'ts during the disease, dietary interventions, and exercise schedule suggested for a patient.
Visit the doctor with the patient
If the patient you're taking care of is seeking medical help, try to attend their medical sessions as much as possible. Even if your loved one can travel to appointments on their own, accompany them. Ask questions, take notes, and provide your unique viewpoint on symptoms or other difficulties that your loved one may not bring up. Tell the specialists about sleeping problems or mood disorders, if any, and ask for any recommendations.
Keep observing what does your loved ones do
Keep an eye out for any changes in symptoms, abilities, or mood of your loved one. You should also keep track of your loved one's drug or therapy modifications. A person with Parkinson's disease may be able to perform many of the things he or she could before, such as work, housework, going around with you or friends, and engaging in typical activities. However, this can change in unexpected ways that the person may not be aware of. For instance, the fact that he or she should no longer drive or that there is a risk of falling or being wounded. It's difficult to remind your loved one of things he or she shouldn't do. For this, you can consider seeking a social worker or therapist for help on how to address the loved one.
Make sure they are taking medicines on time
If your loved one forgets to take his or her meds, he or she may not have any improvement in the symptoms. Thus, medicines are crucial to be taken on time. For this, develop a tool to prevent errors or having to trouble your loved one. For example, a smartphone reminder or a hard-to-miss wall calendar would work well. Taking medicines on time can make a difference in both your lives and your lifestyles. It will not only improve the symptoms but also help the patient to work optimally.
For help with safe, dependable transportation and accompaniment to a doctor’s appointment or exercise program, or encouragement and inspiration to engage in a regular exercise routine at home, call Effraim Home Care at (215) 826-7422. Our professional in-home care services are available to boost quality of life for anyone with Parkinson’s disease with professional senior care in Berks County and the surrounding area.
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