Here’s How You Can Help A Loved One Living With Parkinson’s Disease

When a beloved one is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, the ambiguity surrounding it might make them feel helpless, defenceless, or even afraid. While you may not have been feeling the condition’s direct impact, you are witnessing the change that will affect your beloved one directly. Because the problems of Parkinson’s may influence many facets of a human’s body, it’s critical to know that your sentiments are common. As the disease takes effect, your dear one may notice a change in how they walk, talk, communicate, relax, and even their emotional states. They will require extra attention and assistance to maintain an active and healthy living standard.

What is Parkinson’s’ Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that disproportionately impacts dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons inside the substantia nigra of the brain.

Symptoms usually appear gradually over time. Because of the variability of the condition, the intensity and order of symptoms vary from one individual to the next. Some common Parkinson’s symptoms are:

• Tremors are characterised as pill-rolling tremors while they are at rest. Several types of tremors can occur.
• Bradykinesia
• Stiffness of the limbs
• Difficulties with balance and coordination

The cause is still a mystery. Even though there is currently no cure, there are a variety of treatment options available, including medications and surgery.

Here Are 8 Best Ways You Can Help Someone You Love Manage Parkinson’s Disease

1. Educate Yourself about Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological illness. If you’re a caregiver for somebody with Parkinson’s disease, you’re probably familiar with some of the symptoms. But do you understand what aggravates the symptoms, how the illness develops further, or what therapies are available to help you control it? Parkinson’s disease does not affect us all in the same manner. Learn everything you can regarding Parkinson’s to be the biggest supporter of your beloved one.

2. Offer to Help Out

Once you hit mobility issues, everyday tasks like cooking, bathing, and housekeeping become considerably more difficult. People with Parkinson’s disease occasionally require assistance performing these and many other duties, but they’d be too humiliated or ashamed to request it. Offer to do chores, prepare food, take them for doctor’s visits, pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, and assist with any other daily duties they are unable to perform on their own.

3. Get Moving

While the movement benefits everybody, it is especially beneficial for those enduring Parkinson’s disease. According to studies, exercise improves the mind’s usage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with movement. Fitness helps people with this illness enhance their stamina, coordination, cognition, and happiness. If a colleague or beloved one isn’t keeping fit, urge him to do so by going on a daily walk with them. Alternatively, join a dancing or gymnastics class with your partner; these exercises can help you improve your synchronisation as well.

4. Support Them in Feeling Normal

A condition like Parkinson’s can disrupt a person’s semblance of order. The beloved one could gradually lose their sense of identity due to people’s emphasis on the illness and its symptoms. Don’t keep reminding your family members that they have a chronic condition every time you chat with them. Keeping their health and safety in mind, allow them to retain as much normalcy of their regular pre-diagnosis life as possible.

5. Get Out From the House

Living with a chronic illness like Parkinson’s may be stressful and depressing. Take them out if they can’t leave the house much. Visit a restaurant, see a film or just take a stroll in the nearby park. Make these plans keeping the convenience of your loved one in mind, such as selecting a cafe or theatre with a staircase or escalator. Also, be prepared to change your arrangements if the individual cannot go out or refuses to.

6. Listen

Living with such a chronic and uncertain ailment may be stressful and frustrating. Affected individuals are more prone to anxiety and sadness. Providing a friendly & comforting ear to actually listen to their feelings and emotions may be a terrific gift. Empower your dear ones to express their feelings and assure them that you are listening.

7. Keep an Eye Out for Clinical Deterioration

Parkinson’s disease symptoms develop further in severity with time. Keep an eye on your beloved one’s physical skills, vision, posture, weariness, and language for any alterations. Also, keep an eye out for changes in their attitude. Up to 50% of patients with Parkinson’s disease suffer from depression at a certain time throughout their illness. Depression, if left untreated, can hasten physical deterioration.

8. Have Patience

Parkinson’s disease can make it difficult for your beloved to walk fast or talk properly, all of which need to be understood and accepted. A healthcare professional may give them techniques to accelerate the rate and power of their speech, while a physiotherapist can assist them in their mobility.

Conclusion

If a beloved one has been identified with Parkinson’s, you’re likely to be impacted with sentiments and concerns regarding the disease’s course or your part in it.

Understanding the disease might assist you in comprehending it and preparing for the journey ahead. Try to be nice to yourself during the journey accepting help and assistance when needed. Caregivers need love and care too!

FAQs

 What are the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

A neurologist will generally identify the disease after reviewing your symptoms and physical examination. A DaT scan, which visualises the dopamine system in your brain, may assist confirm the diagnosis.

What is the etiology of Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is triggered by the death of nerve cells in the substantia nigra, a portion of the brain. This portion of the brain produces a neurotransmitter called dopamine, produced by nerve cells.

Is Parkinson’s disease curable?

Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are therapies that can help you manage conditions and improve your standard of living. Supportive treatments, such as physiotherapy, are among these therapies.

Is it possible to live normally with Parkinson’s disease?

The majority of persons with Parkinson’s disease live normal or near-normal lives. Thanks to modern drugs and therapies, people may now control their symptoms and limit the onset or severity of consequences that could otherwise be deadly.

Is memory affected by Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease patients may have tremors and cognitive issues such as memory problems or cognition. Parkinson’s disease affects the majority of adults over the age of 50.

Is Parkinson’s disease affecting your vision?

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are much more likely to develop vision and ocular impairments, such as fuzzy vision, dry eyes, challenges with depth perception, and problems responding to quick changes in light, than persons without the ailment.

How much do people living with Parkinson’s sleep?

Because of the condition and the drugs used to treat it, people with Parkinson’s have trouble sleeping, and this might cause you to be sleepy during the day. Sleep issues are a common side effect of Parkinson’s, and the medications to treat it can exacerbate the condition.

Is walking beneficial to those with Parkinson’s disease?

Walking is a good exercise for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

What meals should people with Parkinson’s disease include?

As a result, someone with Parkinson’s disease may choose to include antioxidants in their diet. Blueberry, cranberry, grape, cherry, strawberry, and raspberry are all full of antioxidants.

Is end-stage Parkinson’s disease painful?

Patients with Parkinson’s disease at stage five, the terminal stage, will have severe postural abnormalities in their spine, head, and pelvis. They will probably need a wheelchair and could be immobile.