Essential tremor impacts millions of people throughout the United States. This neurological condition can cause uncontrollable, involuntary shaking of various parts of the body, most frequently the hands, feet, or head. Though it is often frequently misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease, it is a distinct condition of its own that can make a tremendous impact on your parent’s lifestyle, functioning, and quality of life. One way that this condition can impact your parent’s life is by increasing their risk of suffering a serious fall. Elderly adults are already at increased risk of falls due to mobility or balance challenges, and tremors can worsen these. Fortunately there are ways that you can help your parent to reduce this risk and avoid serious injuries that can result as a result of these falls.
Use these tips to reduce fall risk for a senior who is suffering from essential tremor:
- Give them confidence. Many elderly adults who deal with issues such as essential tremor are nervous about moving around or going out because they fear that they will fall. This can worsen their risk and diminish their quality of life. Encourage your parent to talk about the fear that they are experiencing and help them manage their fear so that they feel more confident and more willing to continue staying active, which will help them manage their future symptoms.
- Encourage them to exercise. While exercising will not stop their tremors, it can help to keep their body stronger, improve balance, and increase the control that they have over their movements so that they are more confident when they are moving around. This will also make it more likely that they are.
- Provide physical assistance. If your aging parent’s tremors are severe or they are facing other risk factors for falls as well, providing them with physical assistance as they move can be extremely helpful. Help them with tasks that might be particularly strenuous or dangerous, such as going up and down steps, getting in and out of the bathtub or car, toileting, or walking for long distances or on unstable terrain.
Essential tremor can be a life-changing symptom that influences nearly everything that your aging parent does each day. Starting elder care for them can be a powerful way to help your senior continue to pursue the active, engaged, independent, and fulfilling lifestyle that they desire, while also managing their condition and helping them to stay healthy, safe, and comfortable as they age in place. The highly personalized care, support, encouragement, and assistance that this elderly home care services provider can give to your loved one can help them to feel more confident in their daily living, and reduce the risk of serious issues such as falls. This care provider can also be a valuable source of monitoring to detect when your aging parent is dealing with increased symptoms and challenges so that you can work with your parent and their doctor to come up with a modified approach to care and treatment that will effectively manage their condition throughout their later years. This can give you peace of mind knowing that your loved one is getting everything that they need both when you are able to be with them, and when you are not.
If you or a family member are in need of elder care in Coral Springs, 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.
Sources:
http://www.essentialtremor.org//www/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/FactSheet012013.pdf
http://www.caringnews.com/en/116/1/199/March-Is-National-Essential-Tremor-Awareness-Month.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/essential-tremor/symptoms-causes/dxc-20177829
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0701/p61.html
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