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All Posts Tagged: senior care

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Ways to Deal with the Stress of Parkinson’s Patients

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Ways to deal with the stress of Parkinson'sParkinson’s is a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system. In its initial stages, it primarily affects movement, with sufferers experiencing body tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, stooped posture, impaired balance, and changes in everything from facial expression to handwriting. As it progresses, psychiatric symptoms such as depression and sleep disturbances, as well as digestive, urinary, and skin problems, are also common.

For formerly able-bodied, independent individuals, Parkinson’s symptoms can take a psychological, as well as physical, toll. Adjusting to a progressive loss of bodily function and autonomy can be extremely stressful, adding to the difficulty of dealing with the disease and exacerbating symptoms. For individuals with Parkinson’s, as well as for their caregivers and loved ones, dealing with this stress is an important way to promote quality of life.

One way of dealing with stress is allowing the person with Parkinson’s to remain proactive in their own care. Encouraging them to make decisions for long-term care while they are still relatively independent can give them a sense of greater self-determination, and reduce worries about a complete loss of control over their life as the disease progresses. Facilitating independent living by adapting the living environment to changing abilities is another great way to ease the transition to greater disability. Making adjustments in the home to ease tasks like meal preparation and bathing, and to make moving around safer for someone with compromised walking ability, is a great way to help someone with Parkinson’s stay in the comfort of their home for as long as possible.

In addition to promoting independence for as long as is appropriate, there are many other ways for people with Parkinson’s to reduce their stress. Spending time outdoors and engaging in moderate exercise (as physical condition allows) are powerful ways to encourage a sense of wellbeing and alleviate stress. Taking part in favorite hobbies and maintaining an active social life are also tremendously beneficial. Some Parkinson’s sufferers find Parkinson’s support groups helpful, as they allow people to share worries, fears, and coping strategies in a safe and supportive environment with people who understand the challenges they are facing first-hand.

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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The first thing to do to suit the needs of Parkinson’s Patients

The first thing to do to suit the needs of Parkinson’s Patients

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The first thing to do to suit the needs of Parkinson’s PatientsFor people with Parkinson’s disease, many everyday activities become more of a challenge as abilities decline. The primary symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremor, stiffness, impaired balance, difficulty walking, and postural instability, all contribute to the difficulty of independently carrying out activities of daily living, such as meal preparation, household chores, getting dressed, and bathing. Fortunately, adapting the living environment to the changing abilities and needs of someone with Parkinson’s disease can increase their comfort, safety, and quality of life, as well as helping them to preserve independence for as long as possible.

If you’ve ever had an injury or illness (and everyone has!) you know how something like a sprained ankle or a bad cold can interfere with everyday tasks: going up and down stairs, working in the garden, or making yourself understood over the phone, for example. Now imagine living with Parkinson’s disease, the symptoms of which profoundly affect a person’s mobility, coordination, and mental and emotional state. The degeneration that occurs as a result of Parkinson’s can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening for those suffering from the disease, as well as for their loved ones and caregivers. Especially in the bathroom, as intimate of a space as there is, being unable to perform basic self-care can take a toll. However, with careful planning and attention to detail, the bathroom of a person living with Parkinson’s can be adapted to allow them maximum safety, privacy, and comfort.

The first steps in adjusting the living space to suit the needs of someone with Parkinson’s are also the most basic. Making sure that personal care items—toilet paper, soap, lotions, toothbrushes, denture cleaners, and combs—are in easy reach is essential. Make sure that everything is accessible, without the need to stoop, bend, or reach overhead. Installing easy-to-grasp pulls and handles on cabinets and drawers can be very helpful. Because soap is slippery and easily dropped, trying a bar of soap inside a length of nylon stocking and tying it to a grab bar in the shower is a good idea. As Parkinson’s progresses and people have more trouble walking and keeping their balance, grab bars placed in showers or tubs and near toilets and sinks are a safety necessity. Make sure that bath mats are non-slip to prevent falls, and install a shower seat or a non-slip mat in the shower. As a person’s cognitive abilities deteriorate, it can also be helpful to provide safety reminders, such as a piece of red tape on the “hot” tap, and a piece of blue tape to signal “cold.”

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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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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How to help someone with hearing loss understand and participate in conversation?

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How to help someone with hearing loss understand and participate in conversation

For many individuals, aging is a mixed bag of everyday annoyances, extreme challenges, and wonderful new experiences. While minor and major problems, such as compromised mobility, a change in sleep cycles, or chronic ailments can diminish quality of life for many older individuals, the opportunities afforded by retirement can offset other problems to make this time in life one of great joy. Spending more time with partners and loved ones, watching grandchildren grow up, the opportunity for deeper immersion in hobbies, and the leisure to travel, read, and slow down and enjoy the little things in life can be an absolute delight. In order to enjoy life as much as possible, it’s imperative for seniors to be able to mitigate the not-so-good aspects of aging in order to focus on the good ones.

One of the most common problems experienced by seniors is hearing loss. In fact, everyone begins to lose at least some of their hearing from a very early age. Even people in their twenties hear less acutely than they did as teens! High pitched noises, in particular, become harder for the human ear to detect relatively early on. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem. But after the age of 75, almost half of Americans will have hearing loss that is significant enough to pose a problem in everyday life.

For someone with hearing loss, it can be difficult to understand speech, and thus to follow the flow of a conversation, particularly in places with lots of background noise. This can be extremely discouraging, and, in some cases, lead to social withdrawal due to the frustration of being unable to participate in everyday interactions. For the caregivers, family and loved ones of people with hearing loss, this can be frustrating also. In order to help someone with hearing loss understand and participate in conversation. reducing background noise can be a great way to help. Background noise is a major obstacle to comprehension for people with hearing loss, especially when it comes to picking out consonants. Any time you want to engage in meaningful conversation, or when you want to make someone with hearing loss feel included in a social event, make sure to choose a quiet setting with a low level of ambient noise.

Edison Home Health Care is happy to advise and assist you or any loved one who seek appropriate care for hearing 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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