Many seniors with Parkinson’s can expect to live for a long time with the condition. Although everyone with Parkinson’s gradually moves through the different stages of the disease, most people can live comfortably at home for many years. Learning how to provide the best treatment for your loved one can increase his or her wellbeing while making it possible to continue to thrive at home.
1. Create a Medication Schedule
People with Parkinson’s disease are often helped by medications that reduce the severity of their symptoms. Since many people with this condition are older, they may also need to take medications to help with other health conditions, such as heart disease. All these medications must be taken correctly for them to be effective, and it’s easy for a senior with Parkinson’s-related memory loss to forget to take a dose. You can set up a medication schedule with simple entries in a logbook, or you can use a device such as a pill dispenser to make it easier.
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 homecare. Families trust Assisting Hands Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly 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.
2. Plan a Nutritious Diet
Nutrition is a big part of Parkinson’s treatment. Vitamins and nutrients help the body stay strong, and your loved one also needs healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, to maintain flexibility and keep his or her brain active. Since your loved one may face difficulty with meal preparation, make sure to include assistance with cooking in his or her care plan. If your loved one lives alone, having someone to eat meals with can provide motivation to follow a healthy diet.
3. Identify Safe Physical Activities
Regular movement can slow down symptoms such as tremors and muscle rigidity. However, your loved one may no longer be able to do some of the strenuous workouts he or she did in the past. For sedentary seniors, it may be necessary to put together a completely new workout regimen. Always start by seeking the advice of a doctor before your parent begins a new exercise program. Once you get the physician’s approval, encourage your loved one to start doing tai chi, adaptable yoga, or walking, which are all great ways to get moving every day.
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 service. Northern Kentucky seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
4. Keep Up with Medical Appointments
At some point, your loved one may need to stop driving to prevent accidents caused by symptoms such as freezing. When this happens, your help becomes extra important. Seniors who can’t drive are more likely to skip important medical appointments. Avoid having your loved one feel stressed out about attending therapy sessions and checkups by arranging for transportation far in advance of each appointment.
5. Make Accommodations at Home
If your loved one spends the majority of his or her time at home, it should be set up for maximum safety. Add some handrails in the bathroom so your loved one can steady him or herself. You may also need to put in a ramp to assist with going up and down inclines or open up a walkway by moving the furniture. Small changes add up to big steps toward ensuring your loved one’s safety.
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 elderly 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 of Northern Kentucky, a Northern Kentucky home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers 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. To hire a compassionate, dedicated caregiver, call us at (859)-444-5699 today.
