Living with Parkinson’s can be difficult for seniors and their caregivers, which is why developing a suitable care plan is crucial for your aging loved one’s health. An adequate care plan can keep your loved one physically, mentally, and emotionally stable as the disease progresses. Below are several ways to provide treatment for a senior with Parkinson’s disease.
1. Tai Chi
The stretching and strength-building techniques practiced in tai chi can increase balance and motor control in older adults with Parkinson’s. This form of exercise can lead to fewer falls and decrease cognitive decline. Encourage your loved one to practice tai chi at least twice per week to produce the best results. The exercise is safe and can ease your loved one’s mind, making him or her less reluctant to move around.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need help with everyday tasks, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable homecare. Families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.
2. Massage Therapy
The symptoms associated with Parkinson’s can make daily life challenging. For example, the muscle stiffness and joint pain most seniors experience as the disease progresses can make it difficult to live independently. As the muscle weakness and tension worsen, seniors could withdraw from activities, increasing the risk of isolation. However, massage therapy can treat these issues and allow seniors to enjoy many activities with little or no assistance for more extended periods. The massage techniques can relax the muscles, stave off fatigue, and boost energy levels.
3. Healthy Eating
Although there’s no specific diet for Parkinson’s, seniors must eat healthy foods to enhance medication efficiency, relieve symptoms associated with the condition, and lower the risk of eating disorders. Parkinson’s can cause muscle and throat disorders, increasing the risk of skipping meals. A lack of nutrients can lead to behavioral problems, poor motor function, and lower metabolism. To boost their health, seniors with Parkinson’s should eat foods full of vitamins and minerals, such as vegetables, fruits, fatty fish, and yogurt.
Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Tucson seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
4. Music Therapy
You can use music as a way to help your loved one maintain function, boost creativity, and enhance quality of life. Dancing along to the tunes can increase balance, helping with stride length, side-to-side movement, and posture. If your parent is experiencing memory impairment due to the neurodegenerative disorder, listening to music can increase his or her attention span and boost the ability to recall people, places, and things from the past.
5. Support Groups
Finding new ways to manage Parkinson’s disease can slow its progression and boost your loved one’s wellbeing. Ask your loved one’s doctor for recommendations for local Parkinson’s support groups. Commit to taking your loved one to the group each week, especially if he or she has lost the ability to drive and needs transportation assistance. While at the meetings, your loved one can discuss management strategies with group leaders and members, giving him or her a positive outlook. Attending regular meetings can also lower stress levels, enhance mood, and stave off depression.
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 Home Care Assistance, a Tucson home care 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. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Home Care Assistance today at (520) 276-6555.