Senior Care in West Palm Beach FL
Finding out that your elderly parent has Parkinson’s disease presents a major shift in your senior care journey with her. A diagnosis with this progressive disease means having to prepare your care approach to handle the changes in symptoms and function that will happen throughout your parent’s life. It is important to realize that unlike many other diseases that diminish life expectancy, a senior with Parkinson’s disease is likely to live just as long as a person without the condition. This means that you must be prepared to handle the challenges that come with each stage and be able to handle them for the long term.
The late stages of Parkinson’s disease can be extremely challenging. During these stages your parent faces dramatic changes in function and a variety of challenges that can put her health and safety at risk. Understanding the different elements of this phase and what you can do to handle them will help you to offer the senior care that is right for your elderly parent.
Some of the challenges you may need to contend with during the late stages of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Home safety issues. Some of the common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease cause challenges with mobility, including tremors, stiffness, and balance problems. These can make it difficult for the senior to utilize her home safely. Steps, loose floor coverings, clutter, tightly arranged furniture, improper lighting, and other common home features can increase the risk of falls, slips, and other accidents. Go through the home and make modifications that will address these challenges effectively.
- Eating issues. Tremors, difficulty controlling movements, and swallowing challenges can make eating difficult and even dangerous. Consider equipping your parent with tools designed to help address these issues. Specially designed flatware and dishes can help your parent feed himself more easily. Utilizing food additives such as thickeners can make swallowing easier and safer.
- Cognitive challenges. The cognitive challenges that occur in later phases of PD can be some of the most difficult for your parent and for you. These cognitive challenges can include memory loss, slowness of cognitive response and memory recall, and confusion. Your senior may also experience hallucinations and delusions, which can be frightening and overwhelming. It is important to recognize these challenges and put measures into place to manage them in daily life to ease anxiety and support independence.
- Personal care issues. Some of the issues that come along with later stages of Parkinson’s disease can be very sensitive in nature. Your elderly loved one may not be comfortable with you assisting with personal care tasks such as bathing, toileting, and dressing. This may lead to her trying to handle them on her own, which could put her in serious danger. A senior health care services provider can act as a neutral, professional person who can provide this assistance in a way that is respectful and dignified. This care provider can also play an important role in helping your parent achieve and maintain independence for as long as possible.
If you or a family member are in need of senior care in West Palm Beach, FL, call the caring professionals at Star Multi Care today at (954) 870-4770. Providing service in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Weston, Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, Lighthouse Point, and Wilton Manors.
Source: http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/caring-for-someone-with-parkinsons/late-stage-caregiving
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