Blog

Help for People Living With Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson and Alzheimer female senior elderly patient with caregiver in hospice care. Doctor hand with stethoscope check up older woman people. Old aging person seeing medical physician in hospital.

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that affects the messages that are sent to the muscles. People living with Parkinson’s typically experience tremor and muscle stiffness, and they can have difficulty when starting to move their body.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease, which means that it normally worsens over time, and usually, but not always, develops slowly. No one knows for sure what causes Parkinson’s patients to develop the disease. There may be a genetic connection, and exposure to certain toxins may also be implicated.

Because April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we’re sharing this information about the disease.

What are the symptoms?

  • Tremor or involuntary movements—Hands or limbs may tremble involuntarily. The tremor may lessen when the person is using the affected part. Involuntary movements of the hand are common, and the person may seem to be “rolling” something between the fingers.
  • Rigid muscles and slower body movement—Posture may be stiff or stooped, with diminished movement of the arms and legs.
  • Shuffling gait—The person may take small, cautious steps, or may alternate slow steps with rapid ones.
  • Loss of facial mobility—The person’s face may seem to be expressionless.
  • Speech difficulties—Speech may be slow and expressionless, and the voice a low-pitched monotone.
  • Impaired balance—The person may have difficulty balancing or sitting up straight.
  • Deteriorating handwriting—The person’s writing becomes cramped, smaller and more difficult to read.

How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?

Currently there are no laboratory tests that can confirm the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. To make a diagnosis, the physician takes a family and health history from the person, and performs a thorough physical and neurological examination, observing the person’s movements and muscle function. The physician will also rule out other disorders that can cause similar symptoms. Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is important so that appropriate treatment can begin.

Managing Parkinson’s disease

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease. However, with early diagnosis and an effective plan of treatment, the symptoms of the disease can often be controlled or lessened. Treatment varies widely for each person, and may include:

  • Medication therapy. Some drugs can help control the symptoms of Parkinson’s. The correct drug or drugs, the dosage, the method of taking them, and the risk of side effects vary from person to person.
  • Rehabilitative therapy. Physical, occupational and speech therapists can assess the patient’s abilities and needs. They’ll provide exercises to help maintain the highest possible range of motion, muscle tone, balance and flexibility, and communication ability. Rehabilitation specialists may also help the patient select adaptive devices such as walkers.
  • Lifestyle alterations. Exercise helps maintain muscle tone and strength. A special diet may be prescribed to help the patient maintain an appropriate weight. Rest and stress reduction are also important.

Support groups and counseling are available to help the patient and family members deal with the social and emotional impact of Parkinson’s, and to help patients maintain maximum independence and quality of life.

At Family Home Health, we offer a Medicare-approved Therapy Maintenance Program that helps people living with Parkinson’s and other chronic conditions. We provide in-home education, therapy and other services. Please contact us for more information.

Categories: Home Care, Home Health