Parkinson’s Disease: When Your Loved One May Need Additional Care
BrightStar Care
Jul 21, 2021
Florida - Southwest
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Parkinson's disease is a serious condition that involves the progressive degeneration of nerve cells (neurons) in the brain that control movement.
Parkinson's disease affects about 1 million people in the United States more than the number of people with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) combined
About 60,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year
Parkinson's disease becomes more common as people age, but about 4% of people with the disease are diagnosed before 50
Parkinson's disease is 1.5 times more likely to affect men than women
This condition can be absolutely debilitating to people who have it. But with careful planning and coordination with medical and in-home care professionals, people living with Parkinson's disease can maintain their independence and activity longer than those without this additional support. To help make that happen, its important to know the signs to watch out for and when its time to get help for your loved one who has Parkinson's disease.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?
Be on the lookout for the following movement-related symptoms in your loved one:
Slow movements
Tremors, or shaky movements
Excessive muscle stiffness
Permanent muscle contractures for example, if your loved one bends their elbow and then cant straighten it back out
The signs of Parkinson's disease are subtle, so its easy for the condition to start slowly and not get noticed for some time. That means it can be misdiagnosed as something else or not diagnosed at all until the disease has had a chance to progress.
As the disease progresses, your loved one may have trouble walking or balancing on their own. That's because Parkinson's disease affects the area of the brain that controls movement and balance. Your loved one may believe they're standing upright when they really aren't. The result is an increase in falls, as well as trouble with activities of daily living, such as bathing, cooking and going to the bathroom.
When Is It Time to Get Help for a Loved One Who Has Parkinson's Disease?
Any of the symptoms we've discussed are red flags for you to bring up with your loved one or their primary care doctor. Its best to get a Parkinson's diagnosis early on in the disease process. Although there's no cure for Parkinson's disease, doctors can prescribe medications to slow the diseases progression.
However, its common for people who haven't been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease to chalk these symptoms up to the aging process. Though you may be concerned if your loved one is taking hours to get ready in the morning when they once took mere minutes, they may brush you off with a gruff, Leave me alone. I'm just getting slower, but 'Im fine.
In these cases, its a good idea to document the occurrences you notice. Consider making a short recording on your smartphone with the date, the time and a short summary of what happened, such as: Dad tripped again this morning. He fell while getting out of bed because he couldn't get his foot to work. These notes can provide vital evidence to help doctors determine if your loved one really does have Parkinson's disease.
If your loved one is diagnosed with the disease, work closely with their doctor on treatment methods, home safety measures, etc. The doctor can also provide valuable input on when it might be time to get your loved one some additional help at home.
How Can In-Home Care Help a Person Living With Parkinson's Disease?
If your loved one is otherwise independent but is having trouble at home because of the effects of Parkinson's disease, skilled in-home nursing care like that provided by BrightStar Care can help keep them safe and in their home as long as possible.
Specially trained caregivers with experience dealing with clients who have Parkinson's disease can help slow the diseases progression in your loved one. They can bring activities such as physical and occupational therapy into the clients home. These activities are key to successful management of the disease, and having them in the home environment lessens the risk to your loved one because of any balance or falling issues they might have. As the disease progresses, your loved ones in-home care team can bring in various aids to help them adjust, such as adaptive silverware that is specially made for people living with Parkinson's disease.
Its often challenging to have a conversation with a loved one about bringing a caregiver into the home, especially if they've been living independently for some time. I recommend first speaking with someone your loved one trusts such as a clergy member, doctor, friend or other family member and getting buy-in from that person before approaching your loved one. Use the following example to help guide you: Listen, Dad, I know your'e doing great, but I've talked to Pastor Bob, and we've found a company that offers the kind of service that can help you with your daily routine. We can have them come do a visit to see if there's something they can do to help you. Can we just talk with them?
We offer a free living room visit, where a registered nurse and a care team member visit your loved ones home to get to know them and discuss their unique care needs. Older loved ones, especially gentlemen, tend to worry about finances, so this can help set their minds at ease.
When you get the care team in the door, listen to how they suggest helping your loved one deal with and adapt to living with Parkinson's disease. If you like what you hear, continue the conversation with your loved one. Dad, now that we've heard what they have to say, how about we try them out for two weeks or a month? I really need help making sure you have your meals, and I can do this with their help. Its critical to respect your loved ones choices in this matter, but showing how this choice will help you, not just your older loved one, is key to getting the care they need.
Make sure you also talk about in-home cares importance for your loved ones independence. Dad, if we bring these folks in to help you, we can keep you here at home for as long as possible. That's a huge deciding factor for many clients living with Parkinson's disease. It makes people feel good to have their own bed, blanket, pet and other comforts of home.
Parkinson's Disease Care Tailored to Your Loved One
Our teams offer different layers of in-home care that they can adjust depending on how much help your loved one needs. Maybe your dad just needs rides to the doctor and some minor assistance around the house. If so, companion caremay be the right balance of independence and support. If your loved one needs more intensive care, a certified nursing assistant can help. The registered nurse overseeing your loved ones care will constantly reassess their situation to make sure they're getting the care they need.
When it comes to Parkinson's care, consider the analogy of pain management. If you wait until the pain gets really bad, it can take twice as long to bring it under control. Its easier to get help sooner when the pain isn't as bad. The same goes for a loved one who has Parkinson's disease. If you wait to get help, it takes longer to get their symptoms under control, and the disease is progressing the longer you wait.
Our goal for every client living with Parkinson's disease is to help them maintain their independence, stay active as long as possible and incorporate our care into the plan of care created by their primary care doctor. Click the link above to learn more about how we can help your loved one get the in-home care they need for Parkinson's disease.
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BrightStar Care of Naples & Ft Myers
Home Health 2545 Northbrooke Plaza Drive, Naples, Florida, 34119BrightStar Care is a leading in-home care agency that has been serving Lee and Collier counties since 2006. With a wealth of experience spanning 18 years, we have become a trusted name in providing compassionate and professional care to individuals within the comfort of their own homes. At BrightStar Care, we offer a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of our clients, including both Medical and Non-Medical Care. Our non-medical care, also referred to as non-skilled care, includes assistance with IADLs such as transportation, meal preparation, medication reminders light housekeeping, laundry and ADLs such as assistance with personal care needs, transferring, and feeding. Our medical care, also referred to as skilled care, services encompass more complex medical needs with care being provided by an LPN or RN. Some of the Skilled services we offer include case management, medication management, medication administration and teaching, wound care and wound vac, disease education and monitoring, IV treatments and line maintenance, catheter and ostomy care, home safety evaluation and much more. In addition to non-skilled and skilled care, BrightStar Care takes pride in offering physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services. Our team of licensed therapists collaborates closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans, aiding in the restoration of independence, improvement of mobility, and enhancement of overall quality of life. Another aspect that sets BrightStar Care apart is our medical staffing services. We understand the significance of having qualified and reliable healthcare professionals in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Through our medical staffing solutions, we provide healthcare organizations with certified nursing assistants, skilled nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals on either a temporary or permanent basis. As an organization, we hold the prestigious Joint Commission Accreditation, which represents the gold standard in healthcare. This accreditation validates our commitment to delivering the highest standard of in-home care through quality and safety. Our dedication to providing top-notch care is further exemplified by our rigorous care team member selection and training processes. We carefully choose and train our care team members to ensure they possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and compassion to provide exceptional care to our clients. Furthermore, our thorough screening process, including background checks, drug testing, and reference verifications, instills peace of mind in our clients. Additionally, all our care team members undergo extensive hands-on training with our Director of Nursing, which includes comprehensive skills review, disease-specific training programs, as well as Dementia Live and our own Alzheimer's training called Bright Connections. What truly distinguishes us, however, is our genuine commitment to providing personalized care tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Our Rns create a comprehensive personalized plan of cares for each client. We believe in cultivating meaningful relationships with our clients and their families, creating a warm and supportive environment that promotes overall well-being which is why we created our own program called Purposeful Engagements.In recognition of our efforts to provide peace of mind to clients and their families, BrightStar Care has received numerous awards, including the Home Care Pulse awards for Provider of Choice, Employer of Choice, and Leader in Excellence. When it comes to in-home care, BrightStar Care is the agency of choice for those seeking exceptional care, compassion, and support. Our mission is to enhance the lives of our clients, enabling them to live comfortably and independently in their own homes through delivering a higher standard of in home care and providing peace of mind. Having proudly served Lee and Collier counties for over 18 years, we are excited to continue delivering exceptional in-home care services to our community.
BrightStar Care of Naples & Ft. Myers
Non-Medical 2545 Northbrooke Plaza Drive, Naples, Florida, 34119BrightStar Care is a leading in-home care agency that has been serving Lee and Collier counties since 2006. With a wealth of experience spanning 18 years, we have become a trusted name in providing compassionate and professional care to individuals within the comfort of their own homes. At BrightStar Care, we offer a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of our clients, including both Medical and Non-Medical Care. Our non-medical care, also referred to as non-skilled care, includes assistance with IADLs such as transportation, meal preparation, medication reminders light housekeeping, laundry and ADLs such as assistance with personal care needs, transferring, and feeding. Our medical care, also referred to as skilled care, services encompass more complex medical needs with care being provided by an LPN or RN. Some of the Skilled services we offer include case management, medication management, medication administration and teaching, wound care and wound vac, disease education and monitoring, IV treatments and line maintenance, catheter and ostomy care, home safety evaluation and much more. In addition to non-skilled and skilled care, BrightStar Care takes pride in offering physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) services. Our team of licensed therapists collaborates closely with clients to develop personalized treatment plans, aiding in the restoration of independence, improvement of mobility, and enhancement of overall quality of life. Another aspect that sets BrightStar Care apart is our medical staffing services. We understand the significance of having qualified and reliable healthcare professionals in various settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Through our medical staffing solutions, we provide healthcare organizations with certified nursing assistants, skilled nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals on either a temporary or permanent basis. As an organization, we hold the prestigious Joint Commission Accreditation, which represents the gold standard in healthcare. This accreditation validates our commitment to delivering the highest standard of in-home care through quality and safety. Our dedication to providing top-notch care is further exemplified by our rigorous care team member selection and training processes. We carefully choose and train our care team members to ensure they possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and compassion to provide exceptional care to our clients. Furthermore, our thorough screening process, including background checks, drug testing, and reference verifications, instills peace of mind in our clients. Additionally, all our care team members undergo extensive hands-on training with our Director of Nursing, which includes comprehensive skills review, disease-specific training programs, as well as Dementia Live and our own Alzheimer's training called Bright Connections. What truly distinguishes us, however, is our genuine commitment to providing personalized care tailored to the unique needs of our clients. Our Rns create a comprehensive personalized plan of cares for each client. We believe in cultivating meaningful relationships with our clients and their families, creating a warm and supportive environment that promotes overall well-being which is why we created our own program called Purposeful Engagements.In recognition of our efforts to provide peace of mind to clients and their families, BrightStar Care has received numerous awards, including the Home Care Pulse awards for Provider of Choice, Employer of Choice, and Leader in Excellence. When it comes to in-home care, BrightStar Care is the agency of choice for those seeking exceptional care, compassion, and support. Our mission is to enhance the lives of our clients, enabling them to live comfortably and independently in their own homes through delivering a higher standard of in home care and providing peace of mind. Having proudly served Lee and Collier counties for over 18 years, we are excited to continue delivering exceptional in-home care services to our community.