Parkinson's, a life-changing condition for both the senior and the family caregiver, is a neurological disorder that affects older adults in general. When a senior loved one is diagnosed with this disease, it is important to know how to understand his or her condition and to offer optimum support. Mesa home care experts share some ways to help you care for a loved one with Parkinson's easily.
Prepare Sufficiently
The symptoms of Parkinson's may vary from person to person. In this regard, a family caregiver should have sufficient knowledge about the disease and must know how to help seniors manage the symptoms. If you haven’t cared for a person with Parkinson's before, you can consider asking someone who has experienced this or even in-home care. Mesa families can learn a lot by having a professional caregiver at home.Maintain a Good Relationship
Parkinson's, in its final stages, causes brain disorders, including speech impairment and cognitive decline. According to research on Parkinson's disease, around 60 to 90 percent of people with this disease develop speech difficulties and most of them speak softly, in short intervals. Meanwhile, people with advanced Parkinson's find processing and using new information difficult.These aspects may make communicating with a loved one with this disease challenging. Despite the aforementioned situations, you should try to maintain a good relationship with your loved one so he or she doesn’t feel abandoned and unloved.
Clear the Floor
Your loved one may begin to develop balance and walking difficulties due to tremors and stiffness. In some cases, seniors may completely lose their mobility, also known as a kinesis. In this regard, it is important to keep floors clear of any objects that may hinder your loved one’s stroll, which even includes throw rugs and some furniture like extra chairs or tables.Minimize Background Noise
People living with Parkinson's may find processing multiple streams of information at once very challenging. Background sounds and noises can put pressure on the brain with excess information, causing them to freeze and get confused about the situation. This disease weakens the ability to solve problems, process new information, and multitask. Therefore, keep background noise to a minimum to avoid triggering a freeze.Join a Support Group
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson's is quite exhausting, both physically and emotionally. Join a support group to help you manage the stress of care giving. The members of a support group can offer advice and understanding. Moreover, they can also help you deal with the situations when you feel overwhelmed and tired by offering you tools you need to support your loved one. Make sure to talk with people who love you to feel relaxed.If you are unable to care for yourself in this situation, feel caregiver burnout and want to take a break from care giving duties, consider having reliable respite care. Mesa families can count on a reputable senior in-home care provider in their area.
Comments
Post a Comment