{"id":6926,"date":"2015-05-26T14:30:48","date_gmt":"2015-05-26T14:30:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/elder-care-and-parkinsons-disease\/"},"modified":"2015-05-26T14:30:48","modified_gmt":"2015-05-26T14:30:48","slug":"elder-care-and-parkinsons-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/blog\/elder-care-and-parkinsons-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Elder Care for Parkinson’s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michael J. Fox, a popular Hollywood actor who was diagnosed with young- onset Parkinson\u2019s disease in 1991, stands as a hero with his organization Michael J. Fox Parkinson\u2019s Research Foundation. \u00a0He states boldly on his website, \u201cOur Challenges don\u2019t define us. \u00a0Our Actions do!”<\/p>\n

Increasingly, we are seeing caregivers dealing with patients and loved ones afflicted with Parkinson\u2019s disease. \u00a0Parkinson\u2019s disease is the second most common neuro-degenerative disorder after Alzheimer\u2019s disease and affects over one million people in the US. \u00a0Parkinson\u2019s is more common in the elderly and rises from 1% in those over 60 years of age to 4% of the population over 80 years of age.<\/p>\n

As Parkinson\u2019s is not a curable disease, all treatments are focused on slowing decline and improving quality of life and are therefore either rehabilitative and\/or palliative in nature.<\/p>\n

Rehabilitation can both ease symptoms and improve behavior. \u00a0Regular physical exercise is beneficial and necessary to maintain and improve mobility, flexibility, strength, gait, and quality of life. \u00a0However, when an exercise program is performed under the supervision of a physiotherapist or other clinical staff, there are generally more improvements in motor symptoms compared to a self-supervised exercise program at home. \u00a0I would recommend seeking help in this matter for best results.<\/p>\n

Areas where the patient may see mobility improvement from a supervised program include improving gait speed, stride length, arm-swing movement and base of support. Having someone at the patient\u2019s side for support helps the patient in regards to safety issues as well.<\/p>\n

Weight training has also been shown to improve strength and motor function for patients suffering from Parkinson\u2019s. \u00a0Reports show there is significant interaction between strength and the time their prescribed medication is taken. \u00a0Therefore, it is recommended that people with Parkinson\u2019s disease should perform exercise 45 minute to an hour after meds, when they are at their best. \u00a0As a welcome side benefit, regular exercise will help relieve constipation.<\/p>\n

Diet and proper nutrition have also been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms of constipation which is the most widely recognized digestive symptom of Parkinson\u2019s disease. \u00a0Constipation is often a side effect of drug therapies used for PD. (Levodopa, etc.) \u00a0A balanced diet and nutritional plan can be designed to avoid weight loss or gain, and minimize consequences of gastrointestinal dysfunction and constipation. Diets focused in increased fiber intake, water intake of 48-62 ounces of water a day if approved by the physician, and the addition of fruits and vegetables all help to alleviate constipation.<\/p>\n

One of the most widely practiced treatments for speech disorders associated with Parkinson\u2019s disease is the LSVT LOUD \u00ae (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment).<\/p>\n

This therapy which was developed in 1987 by Mrs. Lee Silverman improves vocal loudness by stimulating the muscles of the larynx through systematic exercises. Recent studies have also shown that LSVT may help improve issues of impaired swallowing. \u00a0Speech therapists can teach the patient other swallowing techniques if\/when dsyphagia (difficulty in swallowing) appears in their disease course. \u00a0Thickening agents may be introduced for liquid intake and an upright posture is always best when eating to reduce the risk of choking.<\/p>\n

The goal of palliative and rehabilitative care is to improve quality of life for both the person suffering from the disease and the family by providing some relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of this debilitating illness. \u00a0Palliative care support can also help with emotional factors such as loss of function and jobs, depression and fear.<\/p>\n

Caregivers who provide <\/a>and\/or seek help for a well rounded regime of diet, exercise, rehab therapies, and other palliative care measures should improve the duration and quality of life for their patients suffering with this degenerative complex disease.<\/p>\n

And as a Parkinson\u2019s sufferer, Michael J. Fox states, its not these Parkinson\u2019s challenges that define us, it\u2019s the actions we take<\/b> that defines us!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Michael J. Fox, a popular Hollywood actor who was diagnosed with young- onset Parkinson\u2019s disease in 1991, stands as a Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":3570,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[944],"tags":[968,1154],"class_list":["post-6926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-senior-health-wellness","tag-home-care","tag-parkinsons-disease"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nElder Care for Parkinson's Disease - Preferred Care at Home<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Elder Care for Parkinson's Disease\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Michael J. 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