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Late Stages of Parkinson’s

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shutterstock_167099975Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder that worsens over time. For some individuals, a long period of time may elapse between an initial diagnosis and the appearance of severe, disabling symptoms. For others, the disease may progress rapidly. Not much is known about why some people develop severe symptoms quickly, while others stay relatively healthy for much longer. However, there are a few commonly recognized stages of disease progression that are experienced by most individuals living with Parkinson’s.

In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movement are usually mild, may be limited to one side of the body, and often present more of an annoyance than a true impediment to activities of daily living. In the middle stages of Parkinson’s, these symptoms become more severe, and may be accompanied by urinary and gastrointestinal disorders, sleep problems, depression, and dementia. In late-stage Parkinson’s, symptoms are very severe, and often disabling.

The later stages of Parkinson’s disease are characterized by severe tremors and shaking, stiffness in the trunk, limbs, and extremities, slow and difficult movement, a shuffling gait, and markedly stooped posture. Patients in this stage of the disease may lose the ability to walk, and often lose the ability to function independently, requiring assistance with bathing, mealtimes, and other everyday activities. At this stage, as chewing and swallowing may become difficult, people with Parkinson’s are at heightened risk for dehydration and malnutrition. If the person is still able to walk, there is a significant risk of falls, which may result in major injury. Depression and sleep disturbances, as well as urinary and digestive problems, can severely impact the quality of life for people suffering from late-stage Parkinson’s. For these reasons, it’s essential for people in the later stages of Parkinson’s disease to receive compassionate and competent care tailored to their individual needs.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care of Parkinson’s disease. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Parkinson Home Care New York

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Middle Stages of Parkinson’s

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shutterstock_218198755Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that effects the nervous system. Although it is can manifest early in life, Parkinson’s is most common in older adults over the age of 60. Common symptoms include tremors (shaking) of the limbs and head, stiffness of the back, limbs, and extremities, slow movements, stooped posture, and a shuffling gait. Additionally, sleep disturbances, digestive and urinary problems, depression, and dementia effect many Parkinson’s sufferers. The time between the onset of symptoms and the point at which they become disabling varies from person to person. For some, symptoms progress very slowly; these individuals may enjoy many relatively healthy, productive years after a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. For others, symptoms progress more quickly, leading to a rapid deterioration in ability and quality of life.

While it is not well understood why Parkinson’s progresses quickly for certain people and not for others, there are a few commonly recognized stages of the disease. In the early stages of Parkinson’s, symptoms are generally mild, may be confined to only one side of the body, and are often more annoying than they are debilitating. In the middle stages of Parkinson’s, tremors are often more pronounced, and may lead to difficulties performing fine motor tasks, such as writing, as well as greater discomfort. Stiffness often worsens in the middle stages of the disease, and slowness of movement is more pronounced. Walking also frequently becomes more difficult in mid-stage Parkinson’s.

As a result of worsening symptoms, people suffering from mid-stage Parkinson’s may find activities of daily living, particularly those that require fine motor skills and coordination, increasingly difficult. Formerly independent individuals may require help with tasks like cooking and cleaning. It is also during the middle stages of the disease that many people may have to stop working. It’s important for people living with Parkinson’s to pay close attention to changes in their symptoms, so that they can make the necessary adjustments and accommodations in order to remain safe, and to preserve health and quality of life for as long as possible.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care of Parkinson’s disease. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Parkinson Home Care New York

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2015 Charity Coat Drive

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We are glad to announce that our cold-weather clothing drive was a success!

The awesome team here at Edison came together and collected numerous coats, gloves, and hats to benefit the less fortunate. As we have seen from this past winter, coping with the brutal weather and temperatures in New York City has been anything but easy. While most of us were sheltered, warm, and comfortable, there were many who were too poorly equipped to deal with the same conditions– making it unimaginably tough to get through without some basic winter gear.

We’re glad that we were able to provide relief to those who benefited and that we were able to continue our tradition of caring for others through this drive. Events like these are truly representative of what Edison and its staff stand for and we look forward to doing it again next year!

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Edison Home Health Care is happy to provide home health care for you or any loved one. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Home Health Care New York

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Early Stages of Parkinson’s

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Parkinson’s is a complex disorder of the nervous system that causes a variety of symptoms in its sufferers. The most common symptoms of Parkinson’s are tremor or shaking of the limbs, rigidity and stiffness, slow movement, and a distinctive stooped posture and shuffling gait. Parkinson’s can also cause psychiatric symptoms, such as depression and sleep disturbances, as well as digestive and urinary tract problems. Parkinson’s symptoms may progress rapidly, or over a number of years – even decades. What causes Parkinson’s in the first place, and what causes it to progress quickly or slowly, is not well understood. However, there is a general pattern to the progression of symptoms.

In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, symptoms are usually mild. Although limb tremors and movement difficulties can cause inconvenience and annoyance, they are usually not debilitating at this point. In the earliest stages of Parkinson’s, symptoms may be isolated to one side of the body. Changes in movement, facial expressions, and posture may be noticeable to people close to the person with Parkinson’s, but are not yet causing severe problems.

In the early stages of Parkinson’s, activities of daily living are rarely compromised. Although sufferers may experience anxiety about the way their bodies are changing, they can usually still go to work, perform ordinary household duties like cleaning, cooking, and yard care, and maintain an exercise regimen. At this stage, when levels of disability are minimal, it’s important for people living with Parkinson’s to make plans for later stages, when the disease will make everyday activities more difficult. Actively cultivating a support network of friends, family, and other people living with Parkinson’s is extremely helpful, as is finding information on treatment options and services available to Parkinson’s sufferers. Planning for in-home care or assisted living may seem premature at this point, but is much easier than waiting until the disease has progressed in severity. Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active with moderate exercise can also greatly improve quality of life and help to ameliorate symptoms.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care of Parkinson’s disease. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Parkinson Home Care New York

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Proper Nutrition and Parkinson’s Disease

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Parkinson’s disease is a central nervous system disorder with far-reaching effects on the daily lives of its sufferers. People with Parkinson’s often struggle with movement problems, including tremors, difficulty walking, limb stiffness, stooped posture, and a slow, shuffling gait. In addition to these common physical symptoms, Parkinson’s patients can experience sleep disturbances, depression, and dementia.

For people with Parkinson’s, good nutrition is key to maintaining quality of life and preserving independence. However, the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s can make it more difficult to shop and prepare meals. Additionally, psychiatric symptoms, like depression, can lead to a loss of appetite. Some medications used to treat Parkinson’s can have side effects, such as nausea, that also lead to a loss of appetite. Among people with Parkinson’s, skipping meals or simply “forgetting to eat,” is common. However, a balanced diet is essential, particularly when combating Parkinson’s symptoms: weight loss and malnutrition can lead to a weakened immune system, loss of bone mass, and muscle deterioration.

A balanced diet that includes plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, calcium, healthy fats, and other essential nutrients is especially important for people living with Parkinson’s. Calcium-rich foods can combat bone thinning, while high-fiber foods and plenty of liquid can help to ease constipation. Enough protein is essential to maintain muscle mass, and healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, olive and vegetable oils, and avocados, can help to prevent weight loss and promote the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. It can be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s to consult with a dietitian to make sure that their diet is adequate for their needs, and to help them make adjustments if necessary. As the disease progresses, diet may need to be adjusted to address new developments, such as difficulty swallowing, rapid weight loss, or increasing severity of side effects from medications.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care of Parkinson’s disease. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Parkinson Home Care New York

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