Tips for Helping Your Senior Take Control of Their Parkinson’s Disease Care
Management and care of Parkinson’s disease need to begin as soon as your senior gets a diagnosis of the disease.
And the sooner your senior begins treatment and management, the better the chances are that they have of this treatment being effective, and the longer they will be able to enjoy greater functioning, independence, and quality of life. As a family caregiver, it is important to understand that starting at-home care and management does not necessarily mean you are immediately stepping in and taking over your parents daily life. In fact, encouraging them to remain as independent as possible, and empowering them to take control of their care and disease management is an important part of preserving their quality of life, and motivating them as much as possible.
Use these tips to help your senior take control of their Parkinson’s disease care and management:
Consider Home Care. Introducing an in-home senior care services provider into your care routine as early as possible in your senior’s progression with Parkinson’s disease can be a powerful way to empower your parent to take more control of their daily life. With the customized services of a care provider available to them, they are better able to create and follow their own schedule and routine and engage in a lifestyle that is satisfying to them without always having to rely on you. Services such as transportation, physical support and assistance, and even companionship can allow your parent to better approach daily life, make decisions about what they want to do and when, and stay more active as they progress through the disease
Encourage them to keep a symptom diary.
Those living with Parkinson’s disease may find their symptoms and challenges confusing and unpredictable early in the disease. Having a symptom diary enables them to track how their body and their mind are responding to the disease, and what may exacerbate symptoms. While Parkinson’s disease does not have flare-ups like other diseases, the symptoms do fluctuate, your parent may find that they experienced increased symptoms when they are tired or stressed, or may find certain techniques more effective at managing symptoms than others. This symptom diary can also be a fantastic way to keep their doctor informed about their condition, so together they can adjust their care approach to best suit their needs
Help them to understand that this diagnosis does not mean that their life is over.
While Parkinson’s disease is progressive, the symptoms in the earliest stage tend to be very mild, and the progression is slow. This means your senior can continue to live a very active and fulfilling quality of life even as they progress. How they approach their disease can also make a tremendous impact on how their disease progresses. For example, eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, and following through with their doctor’s guidelines can all slow the progression, lessen the intensity of the symptoms, and preserve their health and functioning for longer
Taking on the role of being a family caregiver does not mean you are taking over your parent’s life.
In fact, one of your most important priorities, as you care for your parent, is to help them maintain as much of their independence and autonomy as possible. This is vital for their mental and emotional health, as well as their motivation to care for themselves and their physical health. There are many ways you can work toward this care goal, but one of the most effective and meaningful can be starting home care. Introducing an in-home senior care services provider into your care routine with your loved one gives them a greater sense of control over their life by enabling them to stay more active, get more involved in the world around them, and better manage their daily routine without always having to rely on your availability. This means your parent can take control of the care and management of their Parkinson’s disease, pursue a lifestyle that is fulfilling and meaningful, and maintain as much independence and safety in their own home as possible throughout their later years.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Hartford, AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.
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