Early Parkinson’s disease symptoms are often so subtle you might not notice them at first. Yet paying attention to your senior loved one’s body and behavior could clue you in to a developing problem. People who receive an early diagnosis for this condition are more likely to be successful at slowing the progression of the disease. Although these five symptoms could have other causes, it’s worth scheduling an appointment for your loved one to make sure they aren’t related to Parkinson’s.
1. Trembling in Various Parts of the Body
Your loved one’s hands, feet, and other parts of the body might begin to develop slight tremors that seem to worsen as time goes by. Keep in mind you might also notice tremors in your loved one’s head or jaw. Or, your loved one may find it difficult to write properly when the trembling is severe. You might also notice your loved one’s handwriting is smaller or cramped compared to his or her normal style of writing.
2. Freezing Up or Complaining of Stiffness in the Limbs
The neurological changes that occur with this condition affect how the brain communicates with the nerves in the rest of the body. Your loved one might find his or her legs suddenly freeze up when trying to walk. In the early stages, your loved one might describe this as stiffness that lasts for a few seconds before loosening up. Over time, freezing may gradually worsen to the point where your loved one begins to lose mobility.
If your loved one’s freezing and stiffness are severe, he or she may benefit from having a professional caregiver help with everyday tasks. Families looking for top-rated elderly home care providers may reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we may make life easier for seniors and their loved ones.
3. Moving More Slowly than Normal
Stiff limbs naturally make it difficult for people to walk as fast as they once could. Your loved one may also do things such as shuffle his or her feet. This could be due to an inability to pick up his or her feet completely, or your loved one may begin to shuffle out of a fear of falling. If your loved one is moving more slowly than normal, try not to rush him or her. Instead, offer assistance with daily routines.
4. Having Difficulty with Balance & Coordination
This sign of Parkinson’s is perhaps one of the scariest. Seniors who lack balance and coordination are at high risk for falls. If your loved one has experienced a recent fall, you may need to have a physician assess your parent’s health to check for Parkinson’s disease. Seniors who are in the later stages of this condition will likely need people to assist them with their normal daily routines to prevent them from getting hurt.
Serious health and safety issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s may make caring for aging loved ones with the disease increasingly challenging. For many seniors in Northern Kentucky, homecare is an essential component of aging in place safely and comfortably. However, it’s important for them to have caregivers they may trust and rely on. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we extensively screen all of our caregivers, and our strict requirements ensure seniors may remain in the comfort of home with a reduced risk of injury or serious illness.
5. Developing a Mask-Like Facial Expression
People with Parkinson’s disease may also begin to display depressed or angry facial expressions regardless of their mood. Typically, they won’t realize it, but their caregivers notice. A masked facial expression isn’t only a sign of Parkinson’s disease, but it might also be interpreted incorrectly by people who don’t know your loved one well. Having someone accompany your parent out in public may help him or her run errands without having to worry about getting into conflicts with people who think he or she is upset.
Early diagnosis is critical because Parkinson’s disease may be particularly challenging in its final stages, and family caregivers may easily get overwhelmed. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care of Northern Kentucky, a leading provider of home care service Northern Kentucky, families may trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Call us today at (859) 328-2656 to discuss how we may give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.
