Columbia Aged Care

Parkinson’s disease is an illness that usually affects people between 50 and 75 years old. However, there have been many cases were people have developed the disease earlier in life.

Parkinson’s disease is caused when certain nerve cells in the brain become impaired or die.

These cells normally produce a vital chemical called dopamine, which helps coordinated the body’s muscles and movement. When these cells are damaged they stop producing the vital chemical and your muscles lose their ability to function effectively.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease develop gradually over many years and the rate of this deterioration can vary between each person.

Parkinson’s Australia has listed the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that you should look out for.

• Shaking and trembling: The first sign of Parkinson’s disease usually occurs when your hand begins to shake continuously. This shaking can then spread to one of your legs and then to the other side of your body. You can notice the shaking when you are sitting still or resting and it can be harder to detect while you’re moving.
• Stiffness of your muscles: Your muscles may start to feel tight and you will find it difficult to relax your muscles, even when you’re resting. Your muscles may no longer move the way you want them to.
• Your movement slows down: You may begin to lose the ability to make spontaneous movements. Your muscles may even freeze up at times and stop you from moving. Your coordination between your hands and your eyes may also become impaired.
• Speech is impaired: In the later stages of Parkinson’s disease, your speech will be affected. Sometimes your speech will slow down or you will lose the ability to move your mouth correctly.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be treated with medication to help stimulate the movement of your muscles. However, sadly there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease at this stage.

Treatment for Parkinson’s disease will be different for every individual and you should consult with your doctor for the best approach.

Read the full article here.

Parkinson’s disease has many physical symptoms, such as tremors or shaking, problems with balance, stiffness and slowness of movement. This can make everyday tasks difficult and frustrating. Aged Carer has provided some tips to make living environments easier and safer for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Simple activities like getting dressed can be time-consuming and difficult for people with Parkinson’s disease. This can be made easier by choosing clothes that are easy to put on, such as those with Velcro instead of buttons, elastic waists or bras that hook at the front. Sitting down to dress will also help to make life easier; this should be on a firm chair rather than a soft bed.

At meal times, independence can be inhibited by Parkinson’s disease. Eating well and drinking adequate amounts aids digestion of medications, improving quality of life. Home care equipment such as deep spoons or rocker knives, or plate guards that allow food to be scooped up without spilling, allow for greater independence. However, if a person has problems with swallowing or chewing, they should be referred to a speech pathologist.

A Parkinson’s disease patient could benefit from seeking help from an occupational therapist if they are having trouble with simple tasks. An occupational therapist can identify how symptoms interfere with independence and suggest new ways of doing things as well as helpful home care aids and equipment to make life easier.

To read the full article with more tips and information, CLICK HERE.