Parkinson's Disease in Hendersonville: How Does It Impact Memory?

By Jim Smeaton

When dealing with elder care and senior care in Hendersonville, we see that elderly individuals who suffer from Parkinson's disease experience a long list of symptoms. Categorized as a progressive movement disorder, this condition is characterized by rigidity, postural instability, tremor, and bradykinesia.[1] Because of this, the elder care professionals at Always Best Care of Western NC, serving Asheville, Hendersonville, and surrounding western North Carolina communities, know that many individuals are surprised to hear that memory loss, as well as other damage to cognitive function, is also associated with this condition. While this news may be unexpected, it makes sense when you consider the fact that the brain controls both movement and cognitive activity. As such, it is understandable that changes in the brain due to Parkinson's disease can have an impact on the memory of a senior.

Here are a few key points to consider regarding the role of Parkinson's disease in memory loss and how it might affect your elderly loved one if they have this condition:[2]

1. An estimated 50 percent of the seniors who suffer from Parkinson's disease also experience memory loss.
2. The changes that take place in the brain due to Parkinson's disease can cause the organ to work less efficiently, which can result in difficulty recalling memories and performing other cognitive functions, such as thinking.
3. Seniors who have Parkinson's disease can experience a higher degree of cognitive impairment, including memory loss, if they also suffer from depression, are under a great deal of stress, or are taking certain medications.
4. Memories require several processes in terms of storage and recollection; the brain must first record or encode a memory and then store it and then recall it when an individual thinks about it. Parkinson's disease keeps the organ from accurately retaining information or organizing it effectively once it is stored. As a result, recollection can prove incredibly difficult in seniors who have this condition. Think about it this way: the brains of individuals who have Parkinson's disease may be trying to locate a memory that is not properly stored, which is similar to trying to find a specific file without an organizational system.
5. Prospective memory, or the ability to follow through with planned activities, is another aspect of cognitive function that is frequently disrupted by Parkinson's disease. 

The home care providers at Always Best Care of Western NC understand that coping with the memory loss associated with Parkinson's disease is not easy for seniors or their caregivers; however, understanding why this cognitive interruption is taking place may make the process a bit easier.

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[1] http://www.pdf.org/en/about_pd

[2] http://www.pdf.org/en/cognitive_impairment_pd