Learning your senior loved one has Parkinson’s can jolt your nervous system. You wonder how to help your loved one address the symptoms. Meanwhile, you want to prolong your parent’s independence and bolster his or her self-esteem. Here are the initial steps to take toward a hopeful future.
Take Your Loved One to a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS)
An MDS is a neurologist with in-depth training in treating Parkinson’s disease (PD). The doctor will customize a treatment plan for your loved one to slow the disease’s progression. Additionally, the specialist will keep you updated on advances in PD research and therapies.
For instance, an MDS can help you find a PD scientific study needing volunteers. Your loved one’s participation can lead to an effective new treatment. Meanwhile, your loved one will connect with other individuals with Parkinson’s, feeling united in surmounting the challenges of the disease.
Serve Foods Known to Lessen PD Symptoms
Studies show that dietary improvements can benefit those with PD. Here are specific foods to give your loved one:
Fava Beans
PD is linked to a deficiency of dopamine, a chemical messenger that facilitates and coordinates movement. Doctors prescribe levodopa, since it raises dopamine levels. You can also serve fava beans, a rich dietary source of levodopa, to your loved one. A 2013 university study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found that eating fava beans improves motor function in people with PD.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids decrease neural inflammation while slowing nerve cell degeneration. They also spur communication between nerve cells. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids include:
- Fish oil
- Salmon
- Red beans
- Soybeans
- Flax seeds
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that neutralize free radicals, reactive molecules that destroy our cells. In PD, free radicals trigger brain cell death. The following foods are antioxidant powerhouses:
- Berries
- Kale
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Nuts
Omit Highly Processed Foods from Your Loved One’s Diet
Such fare contains unhealthy levels of sodium, sugar, and saturated fat. Research shows highly processed foods worsen PD progression. Examples are:
- Potato chips
- Soda and sugary drinks
- Syrups
- Candy, cakes, and bakery desserts
- Fast food
- Deli meats, bacon, sausage, and beef
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a Home Care Milwaukee agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Obtain Physical Therapy for Your Loved One
A physical therapist (PT) will assess your loved one’s muscle strength, balance, coordination, and walking pattern. Then the PT will guide your loved one in certain activities to enhance these functions. For instance, treadmill training enhances walking ability.
The PT will also engage your loved one in reciprocal patterns. These are movements requiring the coordination of both sides of the body.
Furthermore, the therapist can do the following:
- Stretch your loved one’s joints and muscles
- Perform therapeutic massage
- Treat pain with electric stimulation and ultrasound
Encourage Robust Exercise
Exercise can benefit your loved one in these ways:
- Supports balance
- Boosts cognitive and motor function
- Prevents constipation
- Facilitates sleep
- Boosts levodopa absorption and utilization
First, ask your loved one’s primary care doctor if cardiovascular exercise is safe. Such activity revs the heart, increasing motor coordination and speed. It also delays PD progression.
Examples of cardio exercise are swimming, brisk walking, hiking, dancing, and playing sports. If the doctor approves, urge your loved one to get 20 minutes of vigorous activity three times a week or more.
However, if the doctor advises against cardiovascular exercise, encourage standing activities. Examples are folding laundry, washing dishes, mowing the lawn, and grocery shopping. Like cardio, these chores can prolong nerve cell function.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a trusted provider of senior home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Help Your Loved One Develop a Support System
A PD diagnosis can evoke many troubling feelings, such as depression, frustration, fear, and hopelessness. It’s vital that your loved one has support to build his or her emotional strength and optimism.
One means of empowerment is a Parkinson’s support group. Your loved one can meet other people with PD in person and online, sharing coping strategies and treatment information. Below are well-established PD organizations with online access to their support groups:
- American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) – https://www.apdaparkinson.org/community/
- NeuroTalk – https://www.neurotalk.org/
- Parkinson’s Foundation – https://www.parkinson.org/your-area
- PMD Alliance – https://www.pmdalliance.org/resources/support-groups/
- The Parkinson’s Buddy Network – https://parkinsonsbuddynetwork.michaeljfox.org/v2/
- Veterans Administration – https://www.parkinsons.va.gov/patients.asp
Your loved one can also bond with others in religious, community, and hobby-based groups. Meanwhile, your parent should stay connected with friends and family members. Joining a research study is another way to give and gain support.
Seniors living with serious health conditions often need extensive assistance in and outside the home. Assisting Hands Home Care is a trusted provider of Milwaukee live-in care. Our caregivers are expertly trained to assist seniors with bathing, grooming, light housekeeping, and various other daily tasks, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Whether your parent needs minor help with daily tasks or extensive 24-hour care, give us a call at (262) 228-4467 today.
