How can home health care help manage Parkinson’s Disease?
90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease each year. This diagnosis is life changing for individuals and their families, but it doesn’t mean that achieving a higher quality of life isn’t possible with the right interventions in place.
At Ethos Home Health Care, our team is trained to provide specialized care for those with Parkinson’s Disease in their home. At the time of assessment, we focus on understanding their symptoms so we can develop an individualized care plan to help them live safely and independently for as long as possible.
Early Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive disorder, which means symptoms usually start mild and gradually progress over time. Understanding the early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease can help with early diagnosis, and aid in education on how to manage the disease over time.
Early symptoms may include:
- Tremors
- Muscle stiffness or limited range of motion
- Changes in body posture – such as slouching or leaning
- Difficulties controlling fine motor movements – such as writing
- Decline in unconscious movements – such as blinking, swaying arms while walking, etc
- Unusually facial expressions that may not match emotions
- Increased dizziness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of smell
- Constipation
Although many of these symptoms may be linked with many different diagnoses and conditions, if you are experiencing any of these new or worsening symptoms, it is best to be checked by a doctor. Being aware of your condition early on may help you become better educated and prepared for later progression. As Parkinson’s Disease progresses, home health care might be a good option for support.
How home health care can help with Parkinson’s Disease
Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease are at an increased risk of hospitalization and these stays can be particularly stressful and costly for patients and their families.
Ethos Home Health Care focuses on reducing hospitalizations by providing:
- medication management and education on timing and side effects
- occupational therapy to identify home modifications and equipment to reduce fall risks
- physical therapy to improve movements like walking and transferring
- speech therapy to ease Parkinson’s Disease related speaking and eating challenges
- chronic condition education and symptom monitoring
If you or a loved one is struggling with progressing Parkinson’s Disease, it may be time to consider additional help. Home health care can greatly improve the quality of life for the individual living with Parkinson’s Disease as well as for their caregivers.
Contact Us
Take our free online assessment to learn if it may be time to consider home health care for you or a loved one. If you are ready to speak with a professional from our team, give us a call at (701)809-9319 or fill out an inquiry form.