Quality Care for People With Parkinson's Is Lacking Across the U.S.

Caring for someone with Parkinson's disease requires a comprehensive approach to address their physical, emotional, and social needs. Here are some guidelines to help you provide effective care:

Educate Yourself: Learn about Parkinson's disease, its symptoms, and its progression. Understand the available treatment options and potential challenges associated with the condition. This knowledge will enable you to offer better support.

Encourage Regular Exercise: Physical activity plays a crucial role in managing Parkinson's symptoms. Encourage the person with Parkinson's to engage in regular exercise, such as walking, swimming, stretching, or cycling. Physical therapy or specialized exercise programs like dance or tai chi can also be beneficial.

Medication Management: Help the individual manage their medication regimen. Ensure they take medications on time and as prescribed by their healthcare provider. Be aware of any potential side effects and report them to the medical team.

Promote a Healthy Diet: Encourage a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Adequate hydration is also important. Consult a nutritionist if necessary to address specific dietary concerns.

Assist with Daily Activities: Parkinson's can affect motor skills and make everyday tasks more challenging. Offer assistance with activities such as dressing, grooming, meal preparation, and household chores. Modify the living environment to enhance safety and accessibility.

Support Physical Therapy: Encourage the person with Parkinson's to attend regular physical therapy sessions to maintain mobility, balance, and strength. Assist them in following through with recommended exercises at home.

Communication and Emotional Support: Parkinson's disease can cause emotional distress and cognitive changes. Maintain open and empathetic communication, actively listen, and provide emotional support. Encourage them to express their feelings and concerns.

Arrange Social Support: Help the person maintain an active social life. Encourage participation in support groups, community activities, and hobbies they enjoy. Engaging with others who understand their experiences can be beneficial.

Safety Precautions: Create a safe living environment by reducing fall risks. Remove tripping hazards, install grab bars in bathrooms, and ensure good lighting. Consider assistive devices such as canes or walkers, if necessary.

Regular Medical Follow-ups: Schedule regular medical appointments with the person's healthcare provider to monitor their condition, adjust medications, and address any concerns.

Remember, caring for someone with Parkinson's can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Don't hesitate to seek support for yourself as well, such as joining caregiver support groups or seeking respite care when needed.

It's not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with Parkinson's disease occurs, although research is ongoing to identify potential causes. Currently, it's believed a combination of genetic changes and environmental factors may be responsible for the condition.

Symptoms

Parkinson's disease symptoms can be different for everyone. Early symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of the body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect the limbs on both sides.

Parkinson's symptoms may include:

Tremor. Rhythmic shaking, called tremor, usually begins in a limb, often your hand or fingers. You may rub your thumb and forefinger back and forth. This is known as a pill-rolling tremor. Your hand may tremble when it's at rest. The shaking may decrease when you are performing tasks.

Slowed movement, known as bradykinesia. Over time, Parkinson's disease may slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You may drag or shuffle your feet as you try to walk.

Rigid muscles. Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can be painful and limit your range of motion.

Impaired posture and balance. Your posture may become stooped. Or you may fall or have balance problems as a result of Parkinson's disease.

Loss of automatic movements. You may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.

Speech changes. You may speak softly or quickly, slur, or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than have the usual speech patterns.

Writing changes. It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.

When to see a doctor

See a health care professional if you have any of the symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease — not only to diagnose your condition but also to rule out other causes for your symptoms.