Managing The Symptoms Of Parkinson’s in Victoria, BC

Uncategorized  |  September 10, 2019

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the nervous system characterized by shaking, rigidity, and slowness that severely affects movement. As the risk of Parkinson’s increases with age, the condition is most commonly diagnosed in older adults, with the average age of onset being 65.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 Canadians are afflicted with Parkinson’s at the present moment and over 6,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. That means 1 in every 500 people in Canada is struggling with this debilitating condition.

Common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

• Recurring tremors
• Problems with balance
• Frequent changes in mood
• Cognitive issues
• The slowness of movement known as bradykinesia
• Changes in handwriting or speech

Despite continuous efforts to find a cure, the condition remains incurable and the progression of Parkinson’s is irreversible. However, there are certain management strategies that can help relieve some of the symptoms and increase one’s quality of life.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, encourage them to seek advice from their physician. There is a variety of medications and therapies that can help your parent to successfully manage their chronic condition.

Other recommended Parkinson’s management strategies include:

Relieving stress – As stress can trigger and amplify the symptoms of the disease, your loved one should consider adopting a relaxation technique such as deep breathing, engaging in yoga or meditation or going for walks in nature.

Eating healthy – A nutritious, well-balanced diet may not only help minimize the severity of the symptoms, but it can also slow down the progression of the condition in some cases.

Home modifications – Depending on the stage of your parent’s condition, there is a number of walking aids and fall proofing measures your loved one can use to make their home safer.

Preventing falls – For those with Parkinson’s disease, falls present a major health concern as the condition affects a person’s balance and gait. To boost safety, your loved one should consider wearing non-skid footwear, ensure rooms are adequately lit, and remove excess clutter and tripping hazards from their home.

Comfort Keepers Can Help

At Comfort Keepers, we can provide customized in-home care and help your Mom or Dad with stress management activities, make sure they eat a nutritious diet and assist with physician-approved exercise regimens. Our trained caregivers can also assist with mobility, make efforts to improve home safety, provide companionship and transportation to scheduled appointments and therapies, and much more.

Call our Victoria office today to learn more about how we can help your Mom or Dad with Parkinson’s. Ask for your free in-home assessment where we can visit your loved one’s home to discuss your needs in detail. Comfort Keepers is here to help!

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