Spotlight on Parkinson’s Disease: What you Need to Know

According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, there are approximately one million people in the United States living with Parkinson’s disease. This progressive movement disorder more commonly develops in adults over age 60. While some adults have mild symptoms, others are more severely affected. Parkinson’s disease can make it more difficult for seniors to carry out daily tasks and maintain smooth movement or balance. An in-home caregiver can provide assistance with a wide range of activities and support safety and independence.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms or with the same severity. It varies from person to person. Seniors may first notice symptoms only on one side of their body, but the condition may progress to both sides. Typically one side is more affected than the other. Common symptoms include:

• Tremors – including when the body is at rest
• Muscle stiffness
• Slowed movement (also known as bradykinesia)
• Changes in speech
• Balance or posture issues
• Decreased facial expression
• Smaller handwriting

Some seniors also experience non-motor symptoms such as depression, fatigue, weight loss or gain, anxiety, incontinence, and sleep problems. Tremors in the hands are generally one of the first symptoms that people notice and then the condition progresses from there.

Causes of Parkinson’s Disease

Scientists are still unclear about the exact causes of Parkinson’s disease. Many believe that it is the result of both genetic and environmental factors. Aging is also thought to play a role as seniors tend to be at higher risk. Symptoms are often brought on as nerve cells in the brain are damaged or die. These neurons are typically the ones that affect the production of dopamine. There are also certain gene mutations that have been identified. In addition, exposure to certain toxins may also play a role but are not thought to be a sole cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease

There currently is no cure available for this disease, but there are medications that can help relieve symptoms. Seniors may take several different medications to help combat varying symptoms. Some focus on increasing dopamine production, others substitute for dopamine production, and there are also those to help control tremors and improve movement. 

Living with Parkinson’s Disease

Ongoing exercise and physical therapy can help those with Parkinson’s to adjust to changes in mobility, strengthen muscles, and move more safely. Occupational therapists can help with modifying activities of daily living and teaching seniors different techniques and strategies. Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville can provide in-home senior services to assist seniors with a wide range of activities from meal preparation and cleaning to dressing and traveling within the community. To learn more about how in-home care can enhance your senior’s safety and quality of life, contact Always Best Care at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.

Tips for Helping Aging Parents Declutter Their Home

With more life experience comes more memories and often more belongings. Seniors tend to keep things that hold meaning to them, or that they think they may need. They may have grown up in hard times where certain materials were hard to come by. Or perhaps a loved one has passed away and certain objects remind them of that person. There are many reasons why seniors’ homes may become cluttered.

Taking the time to help them declutter can not only enhance their safety, but also makes eventual downsizing easier. Should they move to assisted living, a nursing home, or even in with a family member, they won’t be able to take everything with them. Starting early and going slowly can reduce stress and frustration with the process. Here are a few more tips to get started:

Recognize the emotional connection: Even though you may not have an emotional connection to many of the objects, your parent probably does. Give them the opportunity to talk about different items as you work on cleaning and decluttering. Gently explain that it is the memory that lives on, even if the object isn’t present. Write down some of the stories they tell to keep the memory alive.

Pass items on to family: It can be easier for an elderly parent to pass on some of their favorite keepsakes rather than donating them or throwing them away. They may find peace in the fact that it is staying within the family and holds meaning to someone else as well. Let family members help select items that are special to them.

Go slowly: Though it can be frustrating and tedious, don’t rush the process. You’re likely to cause more damage by forcing your parent to go through things more quickly than they are ready to. Start by tackling small areas such as a closet or a drawer or two. As they ease into the process you can shift to larger areas. Keep in mind that it can be emotionally taxing for your loved one, as well as physically tiring to go through their belongings.

Donate to charity: Encourage your loved one to donate gently used items to charity so that they can help others. Their belongings will be put to good use and there are others who can appreciate them. If they have multiples of the same item, ask them to choose which one means the most to keep, and then donate the others.

Improve storage: Decluttering doesn’t always mean getting rid of things. Sometimes it can mean better organizing. Make use of storage bins, shelves, and other organizers so that everything has its place. Keep things that are used more frequently within easy view and reach. This process can also help your senior to shed excess belongings when they see that things don’t fit neatly.

Ultimately, it is your parent’s decision about what they want to keep. If they’re not ready to part with something yet, don’t force it. You can always revisit the subject at a later time. Once you have started to declutter, it’s important to keep things organized. An in-home caregiver can assist your senior with organization and making sure things are easily accessible and put back in place when they are done. They can also support daily tasks and provide safety and companionship. For more information about senior services in the Asheville-Hendersonville area, contact Always Best Care at (828) 989-7263 or visit us online.

Common Safety Hazards in Seniors’ Homes

More seniors are choosing to age in place, but this means their safety within their home is even more critical. The home should allow them to easily navigate and access materials with minimal risk of falling or injury.  According to Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville, in-home care providers can support seniors in living more safely and comfortably, but proper precautions should still be taken. There are several common hazards to be aware of when evaluating your senior’s home:

• Poor lighting: As people age, their vision may decrease making it more difficult to see in dim lighting. This can make them more susceptible to tripping and falling. Replace any burnt out lightbulbs and consider installing motion sensor lights or night lights, especially in hallways or stairwells. Common areas where seniors spend the most time should also be well lit.
• Tripping: Check for any pieces of carpeting or tiling that are loose or damaged. If rugs are used, make sure that they are securely fastened to prevent slipping. Seniors may shuffle their feet, especially if their vision is poor, and this can increase risk of tripping on uneven or slippery surfaces. Also check to make sure there are no cords stretched near walkways and that they are safely tucked out of the way.
• Furniture: It can become more difficult for seniors to get up and down or maintain their balance, so they may rely on furniture for help. While lightweight furniture is easier for them to move, it can be a hazard when shifting from a standing to sitting position or vice versa. Provide sturdy chairs with arms and higher backs for more support.
• Stairs: Tighten up existing handrails or install new ones if they are not already there. Also consider grab bars in the bathroom to assist with stepping over the side of the bathtub.
• Slippery surfaces: The bathtub and tiled floors can become slippery and dangerous, especially with condensation buildup. Use non-slip mats to provide more durable surfaces for standing and walking on. Encourage your senior to wear sneakers, slippers, or socks that fit snugly and have non-slip bottoms to further reduce fall risk.
• Clutter: Try to keep your senior’s home organized and remove any clutter that could fall or be a tripping hazard. Ensure walkways are clear and wide enough for easy navigating. Make items on shelves more easily visible and accessible. Put commonly used items where they are within reach to minimize reaching and stooping.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Check the detectors in your senior’s home every six months or as soon as there is an indication that a battery is dying. Smoke detectors should be installed in each bedroom and in common areas throughout the home. If your senior has hearing problems, consider alarms that also have flashing lights for increased awareness.

Conduct periodic checks for any potential hazards in your senior’s home and observe how well they are able to get around and tend to basic tasks. An in-home caregiver can assist your senior with many daily activities and help improve their safety and wellbeing. They can also notify you of any concerns that may arise. Contact Always Best Care of Asheville-Hendersonville at (828) 989-7263 or visit our website to learn more about how senior services can benefit your loved one.