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

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

Parkinson’s disease can have a big affect on the daily lives of its sufferers. Parkinson’s is a central nervous system disorder that causes trouble with movement, such as difficulty walking, rigidity and stiffness of the limbs, tremors and shaking, stooped posture, and slowness of movement. In addition to mobility and motor control problems, Parkinson’s sufferers may also experience a range of psychiatric symptoms, such as depression, sleep problems, and dementia.

Medications can help to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s. However, it’s essential for patients and caregivers to carefully manage potential side effects. Some medications commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson’s can increase the risk of dehydration. Dehydration can result in constipation, worsen tremors, exacerbate problems with balance, and increase confusion and other dementia symptoms. Extreme dehydration may require a trip to the hospital, and can cause severe respiratory and kidney problems. Because many Parkinson’s sufferers experience a loss of appetite and a correspondingly low desire to drink liquids, it’s especially important that caregivers and patients make sure that enough liquid is ingested during the day to prevent dehydration.

The best way to insure that Parkinson’s sufferers stay hydrated is to make liquids available at all times. Good liquids for hydration include water, herbal or decaffeinated tea, juice mixed fifty-fifty with water, and low-fat milk. Watered-down juice is a good idea because its sweet taste makes it more appealing and palatable than plain water; however, it also has less sugar than full-strength juice, which can contain as much sugar as soda. Low-fat milk and buttermilk are less filling than whole milk, and provide hydration as well as protein and calcium, while creating less of a sensation of fullness than regular dairy products. In order to decrease the risk of dehydration, people with Parkinson’s should avoid caffeine and alcohol.

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

Parkinson’s disease is a central nervous system disorder that affects many older adults. Its symptoms include movement problems, such as shaking, difficulty walking, stiffness of the limbs, and stooped posture. In later stages, Parkinson’s can also have psychiatric and behavioral effects, such as depression, dementia, and sleep disturbances. In addition to these common symptoms, bone thinning occurs in some Parkinson’s patients. This is of particular concern since people suffering from Parkinson’s disease are at increased risk for falls that may result in bone fractures or breakages.

In order to slow the progression of bone thinning, it is very important for people with Parkinson’s to eat a nutritious diet rich in nutrients that support bone health. These include minerals like calcium and magnesium, and other nutrients like vitamins D and K. Calcium can be found in dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. Additionally, many of these foods are also fortified with vitamin D. Calcium can also be found in canned, bone-in fish like sardines and salmon; oily fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines are a good source of vitamin D. Dark leafy greens like kale, collard greens, spinach, and broccoli are great sources of both calcium and vitamin K, while tomatoes, potatoes, and raisins supply magnesium.

Nutrients for bone health are easy to incorporate into everyday meals. For breakfast, try yogurt with fresh fruit and raisins, or whole-grain cereal with vitamin D fortified milk. For lunch, a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup and a spinach salad supplies magnesium, calcium, and vitamin K. For dinner, grilled fish with stir-fried broccoli, mustard greens, or kale, with a side of brown rice and a glass of milk provides magnesium, calcium, and vitamin K. There are plenty of ways to get creative with bone-healthy, nutrient rich foods. Dairy products can easily be incorporated into a wide variety of meals by adding milk to a soup or beverage, yogurt to a sauce or salad dressing, and cheese into a sandwich or casserole. Leafy greens can be used in salads, stir-fries, and gratins, and even blended into shakes and smoothies for an added nutritional boost.

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