How important is home care for someone living with Parkinson’s disease?
The number of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease has increased dramatically over the last decade. In fact, it is estimated that nearly half a million Americans live with the condition today.
Parkinson’s disease affects movement, balance, speech, mood, sleep, and cognitive function. As a result, patients often require assistance from family members or caregivers to perform daily tasks. Home care services can provide support for those who struggle with everyday activities.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease & Its Symptoms
Parkinson’s Disease(PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that causes gradual loss of movement and coordination. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can impact different aspects of a person’s life. As Parkinson’s Disease progresses, it can become increasingly difficult for people to perform basic tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, and walking.
- Slow Movement: The first sign of symptoms of PD may be slow movements. A tremor in hands, limbs, arms, legs, or head is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
- Muscle Stiffness: Another sign of Parkinson’s disease is muscle stiffness. People who have this problem have trouble maintaining a body posture.
- Balance Problems: Balance problems are among the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These patients experience a loss of balance while performing daily activities.
- Speech Problems: Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease may find it hard to speak properly. They may slur speech, stutter words, or change their voice pitch.
- Difficulty Sleeping: Sleep disorders are common in Parkinson’s patients. Most people experience sleeping difficulties when they suffer from the condition.
- Memory Loss: Memory loss is quite common in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Patients may forget the names of people around them, social events, etc.
- Depression: Depression is common in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease because of memory loss. Patients may feel lonely, sad, hopeless, frustrated, and depressed.
Many studies suggest that exercise improves mental health, induces a sense of positivity and cheerfulness, and reduces depression. Exercise has also proven beneficial in improving mobility and quality of life in people living with PD. Having a Parkinson’s Home Care Arlington makes it easier for your loved one to follow a regular workout routine. This also makes homecare services essential for maintaining the independence and wellbeing of those affected by PD.
There is no cure for PD. However, treatment options exist to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Medications can control tremors, slow down the progression of the disease, and ease some symptoms. Physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation programs can help people regain function and independence. Surgery may be considered if medications do not provide adequate relief.
Homecare Options For People With PD
Home care services are extremely essential for those living with Parkinson’s disease. They assist with activities of daily living (ADL) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, and continence. These services also include medication management, meal preparation, transportation, and emotional support.
Nowadays, homecare services come from various sources such as paid professionals, family members, friends, or even volunteers. Homecare services might consist of medication reminders, meal preparation, personal hygiene tasks, housekeeping, etc.
Caregivers play a critical role in managing PD symptoms. They can help patients maintain daily activities, prevent falls, and reduce the risk of injury. Caregiving requires patience, understanding, and compassion to understand the patient’s concerns and offer solutions. He/she should encourage exercise and physical activity, and help patients avoid situations that could cause injuries.
Homecare services help people remain independent in their homes by assisting with ADLs. A qualified homecare worker provides nonmedical personal care services to clients who have physical limitations that prevent them from performing routine tasks themselves.
Services include meal preparation, housekeeping, laundry and ironing, grocery shopping, transportation, companionship, and emotional support. There are two types of home care services offered by homecare agencies:
- Respite Care – Provides temporary relief from ADL responsibility by helping people with PD manage the challenges of everyday life.
- Live-in Service – Assists with ADLs while the client remains at home.
Both live-in and respite care services are provided by licensed home care agencies. To qualify for Medicare coverage of home care services, each agency must complete training, pass licensing exams, pay fees, and meet quality standards set by the Home Health Agency Accreditation Commission (HHAC), the federal government’s accrediting body for home health care agencies.
How To Hire Right Parkinson’s Home Care For Your Loved One?
Hiring home care services for people with PD can make a big difference in how well they live with the disease. These services can help caregivers take breaks, give them respite, and keep them focused on what matters most. Services can also help people with PD stay safe and independent.
To find qualified homecare providers, ask friends, family members, and healthcare professionals for recommendations. Look for companies that have experience caring for people with PD. Ask about training, certifications, and licensing.
If you need assistance with personal care, household chores, meal preparation, transportation, shopping, errands, housekeeping, laundry, or yard work, hire a professional homecare service provider. You can choose between hiring a full-time caregiver or a part-time caregiver. Full-time caregivers are often hired for several hours per day, while part-timers are paid for specific tasks.
When choosing a Parkinson’s Home Care Arlington, consider the following factors:
- Experience – How long has the company been providing homecare services?
- Licensing – Does the company hold any licenses or certifications for home care services?
- Training – What kind of training does the caregiver receive to handle patients with PD?
- Pricing – Remember that homecare services are only helpful if they are affordable.
- Insurance – Check out insurance coverage before signing on the dotted line.
Parkinson’s home care has never been easier to access through the professional services of Care Mountain. The experienced home care service providers at Care Mountain are dedicated to delivering excellent care.
The goal is to get patients better sooner, and for less money. By taking advantage of its affordable and high quality services, you can ensure that your loved one receives the highest quality care possible without breaking the bank.