In the past few decades, there have been a lot of innovative techniques developed for treating Parkinson’s disease. This degenerative nervous system disorder used to completely impair function within a few years, but now seniors can expect to live long and fulfilling lives after being diagnosed with the disease. Having access to effective treatment makes a huge difference in outcomes, so it’s important for caregivers to help their senior loved ones with every aspect of their care. Follow this guide to ensure your loved one is getting all the treatment he or she needs to manage the challenges of Parkinson’s disease.
Find Medications that Manage Symptoms
The first step in treatment is usually having a doctor assess symptoms and identify medications that can reduce or stop these issues. The most common medication is levodopa, which addresses slow movements and rigid muscles. Medicines such as pramipexole and ropinirole act like dopamine in the brain, so they help with tremors, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. For mental symptoms such as anxiety and depression, various mood stabilizers can help.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care service. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their senior loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
Consider Neuroprotective Medications
A major part of Parkinson’s disease treatment is preventative measures. There are various medications, such as peptide 1 receptor agonists, beta-adrenoceptor agonists, and immunomodulatory therapies, that may protect the brain from the damaging effects of Parkinson’s. This type of treatment is important because it slows the progression of Parkinson’s disease, so make sure to discuss it with your loved one’s doctor.
Look into Assistive Tools
Parkinson’s treatment should go beyond medications. There are various other things out there that can make daily life a lot easier for seniors with Parkinson’s disease. Wheelchairs, walkers, and various braces can help seniors move around more easily. You can also find modified cups, utensils, pens, toothbrushes, and other household tools that are shaped to be easier for seniors with Parkinson’s to use.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional around-the-clock home care. Columbus seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Make Lifestyle Changes
In general, seniors with Parkinson’s respond better to treatments when they’re as healthy as possible. Food and exercise alone cannot cure Parkinson’s, but they can enhance quality of life. Try to provide nutritious foods that are high in fiber and water to address the digestive issues that happen with Parkinson’s. Consider visiting a physical therapist, who can create an exercise program for your loved one. Seniors who do strength, flexibility, and balance exercises are less likely to experience dangerous falls as the disease worsens.
Learn about Surgical Treatments
A relatively new Parkinson’s treatment is deep brain stimulation, which involves implanting electrodes in the brain that send regular small pulses to brain tissue. Deep brain stimulation can be a good solution for seniors whose symptoms can no longer be controlled by medication or who have dangerous reactions to Parkinson’s medication. This treatment is particularly helpful for managing tremors and involuntary movements.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your aging loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Columbus in-home care agency you can trust. Our caregiver Columbus are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services. If your loved one needs professional care, Assisting Hands Home Care is here to help. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (614) 481-4141 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.
