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Five Different Stages of Parkinson’s

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Five stages of ParkinsonsParkinson’s is a degenerative disease of the nervous system that causes problems with movement. The majority of people who suffer from Parkinson’s are over the age of 50 when symptoms first appear. Because it is a progressive disease, Parkinson’s gets worse over time.

Parkinson’s progresses in five commonly recognized stages, each with its own characteristic symptoms. In the first stage of the disease, symptoms such as tremor (shaking), changes in posture or movement, and altered facial expressions are typical. These early symptoms are usually mild, and may appear on only one side of the body. Although they may be annoying or embarrassing, early Parkinson’s symptoms are usually not disabling.

In the second stage of the disease, symptoms may appear on both sides of the body, and be more serious, causing minor difficulties with everyday activities. Posture may become more stooped and a shuffling gait may develop. Although symptoms at this point often slow someone down, they don’t usually pose an impediment to independent living.

Third-stage Parkinson’s is characterized by greater difficulty walking or standing, as posture and balance are further compromised. Noticeably slow movement (also called bradykinesia) may also develop during this stage of the disease. At this point, everyday tasks become more challenging, and the person may need moderate assistance with activities of daily living such as meal preparation and bathing.

For Parkinson’s sufferers experiencing the fourth stage of the disease, symptoms such as slowness of movement, postural instability, and stiffness of the limbs are severe, although tremor may become slightly less pronounced. Chewing, swallowing, and speaking may be difficult. Walking may still be possible, but may be much more challenging, and require assistance. People in this stage of Parkinson’s can no longer live independently, requiring in-home care or transition to an assisted living facility.

In the fifth and final stage of Parkinson’s, patients are unable to stand or walk, and often display weight loss and deterioration of muscle mass. People in this stage of Parkinson’s require round-the clock-care.

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

General Home Care New York

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What are the measures to accommodate growing challenges of Parkinson's patients?

The measures to accommodate growing challenges of Parkinson’s patients

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What are the measures to accommodate growing challenges of Parkinson's patients?Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes impaired movement, tremors, and a host of other symptoms in its sufferers. Most commonly diagnosed in people over 50, Parkinson’s disease usually appears with subtle manifestations and gets worse gradually over time, often progressing in stages. For the caregivers and loved ones of someone with Parkinson’s, it can be difficult to witness the decline in ability and increasing discomfort that accompanies the disease. However, there are many measures that can be taken to accommodate growing challenges and to preserve quality of life.

Attention to the living environment is essential in insuring the safety and comfort of someone with Parkinson’s disease. Because people with Parkinson’s often have compromised balance, unstable posture, poor coordination, and a shuffling gait, they are at high risk for tripping and falling. The use of walkers, canes, and wheelchairs is often helpful for mobility. Whether or not someone with uses these devices, however, care should be taken to minimize or eliminate obstacles that may pose a tripping hazard or prevent easy navigation of rooms with a walker or wheelchair. Area rugs, exposed electrical cords, raised thresholds between rooms, furniture, and lamps are some of the most common hazards for people with Parkinson’s. Make sure that furniture is placed so that someone in a wheelchair can easily move around it, that decorative items such as sculptures are placed out of the way, and that area rugs are removed or tacked down. Insuring that electrical cords are well out of the way is also essential.

In addition to preventing falls, adjusting the living environment for someone with Parkinson’s includes making sure that doors are easy to open, lights are easy to switch on, and personal items like soap and toilet paper are easy to access without having to reach for them. Replacing door-knobs with handles that are easier for someone with motor impairments to grasp, and insuring that lights can be accessed by someone in a wheelchair, are good steps to take. Sharp edges and corners in the home, such as on kitchen countertops, should be covered. In some cases, it can be helpful to attach pieces of rope or string to cupboard door handles to make them easier to open. Adapting the living environment to the needs of someone with Parkinson’s can increase their comfort and safety, as well as your ability to care for them with confidence and peace of mind.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to assist you or any loved one looking for home care services for Parkinson’s related care needs. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Elder Care New York

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the challenges of people who are suffered from Parkinson

What are the challenges of people who are suffered from Parkinson’s?

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the challenges of people who are suffered from ParkinsonParkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that affects many people worldwide, most of them over the age of 50. It is classified as a progressive degenerative disease, meaning that its symptoms worsen over time. Although the onset of symptoms is usually slow and subtle, for some individuals symptoms may appear suddenly and rapidly worsen.

One of the most typical symptoms of Parkinson’s is shaking, or tremor, of the hands, face, and limbs; the vast majority of people with the disorder will suffer from tremors to some degree. Although they may be barely perceptible at first, these tremors often increase in severity over time. Shaking that was once very mild can eventually worsen to the point that it interferes with everyday activities. Imagine trying to dial a phone number, lift a fork to your mouth, or button a shirt when your hands arms are shaking uncontrollably—for people with Parkinson’s, even the simplest tasks can become a major challenge.

In addition to the primary symptoms of Parkinson’s, all of which directly impact movement, many people with the disease will suffer from a host of other symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms, such as depression and other emotional disturbances, are common among people with Parkinson’s. As well as the situational depression that may result from a dramatic change in ability and independence, Parkinson’s can affect the brain chemistry of its sufferers in a way that makes them more susceptible to depression. Chewing, swallowing, and speaking are often difficult for people with Parkinson’s, as control of the voluntary muscles of the mouth and throat decline. This can be extremely frustrating as well as potentially dangerous, as choking, dehydration, and malnutrition can result. Urinary problems and constipation, in addition to skin problems such as dry skin and dandruff, can also lead to decreased quality of life for those with Parkinson’s disease. Sleep disorders, such as insomnia, excessive sleepiness during the day, and sleepwalking can also occur in people with Parkinson’s.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to assist you or a loved one interested in home care services for Parkinson’s related care. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Home Care Brooklyn

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Primary Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Primary Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

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Primary Symptoms of Parkinson’s DiseaseParkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that effects many people as they age. Although it is most common in people over 50, it can begin to manifest itself earlier. The exact mechanism of Parkinson’s is not precisely understood; we do know, however, that it involves deterioration in parts of the brain that govern movement, specifically the death of brain cells that produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter essential to movement. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive degenerative disorder, meaning that it gets worse over time. An increase in the number and severity of symptoms may happen slowly, or at a more rapid pace.

Primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may appear in clusters, or one at a time. One of the most characteristic, and often earliest, manifestations of Parkinson’s disease is tremor and shaking, especially in the limbs, hands, and face. Stiffness and rigidity in the torso and limbs is also typical for people suffering from Parkinson’s. Walking often becomes difficult for people with Parkinson’s, as other primary symptoms of the disorder include poor balance, impaired coordination, and a shuffling gait in place of a normal walking stride. Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) as well as akinesia (inability to move) are also primary symptoms, making locomotion challenging. People with Parkinson’s often exhibit a stooped posture, experience trouble with chewing and swallowing, and have foot pain accompanied by involuntary curling of the toes.

If you suspect that someone you care about has Parkinson’s, it’s important to stay alert to these primary symptoms. Although they may not be seem to be severe in the early stages, Parkinson’s symptoms can none the less progress rapidly. Some Parkinson’s symptoms severely impact quality of life: tremors and shaking, along with poor coordination, can make it hard to perform everyday tasks like dressing, household chores, and self-care. Others can be life-threatening: difficulty chewing and swallowing can increase the risk of malnutrition and choking, while impaired balance and a shuffling gait make serious falls and injuries more likely.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to assist you or a loved one with senior care services. Give us a call at 888-311-1142, or fill out a contact form and we will respond shortly.

Home Care Services Brooklyn

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