What May Your Senior Face in the Second Stage of Parkinson’s Disease?
Home Care in Eastchester NY: What May Your Senior Face in the Second Stage of Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that impacts the body’s ability to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. When this happens, the person is not as able to control and manage their body movements and emotions, and will need increasingly more assistance and support as they progress. As a caregiver for someone who is dealing with this disease, it is valuable to learn as much as you can about the condition and its projected progression so that you can prepare yourself for the type of care and support that they will need to handle it as they age in place.
The second stage of Parkinson’s disease is still relatively mild, but the symptoms are increasing and will become more noticeable to your aging loved one, and to you. Some things that your parent may face in this stage include:
- Increased tremors and movement symptoms
- Tremors and movement symptoms that occur on both sides of the body rather than just one as is more common during the first stage
- Rigidity that influences mobility
- Increased difficulty with posture
- Further compromised gait
Though your parent will still be able to maintain their independence, this is the stage at which they will start to really notice how their symptoms are going to influence their day-to-day living. They might require additional time to handle the tasks that they complete each day, such as dressing, bathing, cooking, or cleaning their home, and may benefit from additional support and assistance to handle these tasks. It is very important at this stage to continue offering emotional support and to prepare for the more serious symptoms and challenges that will come with the next stage.
Whether your aging loved one has only recently received their diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or they have been dealing with this condition for some time but are progressing further into their symptoms and challenges, starting home care for them can be one of the best decisions that you can make. An in-home senior care services provider can be with your elderly loved one on a customized schedule that ensures that they have access to the care, support, encouragement, and assistance that they need when they need it, but you can also remain at the forefront of their care routine. This care provider can create a highly personalized set of services that is tailored not just to help your parent handle their challenges, limitations, and symptoms now, but also prepare them for those that will develop in the future. By helping then to prepare for the next stage, this care provider can help your loved one feel more confident moving forward, enabling them to focus on making the most of their later years. This can be particularly meaningful in the early to moderate stages of the disease as your parent deals with the emotional impact of this disease. A care provider can give the companionship and support that encourages them to work through their emotions in a healthy way, gives their mental and emotional health a boost, and keeps them motivated.
If you or an aging loved one are looking for home care in Eastchester, NY, call the friendly staff at The Perfect Home Care at (855) 855-5728. Call today!
Sources:
http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/The-Stages-of-Parkinsons-Disease
http://www.pdf.org/en/parkinson_statistics
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