More than a million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s, and that number increases every year. Seniors over the age of 65 have a higher risk than other age groups of developing Parkinson’s. And the risk increases every year past the age of 65. If your senior parent has Parkinson’s but they want to continue living independently that may be possible, with the right help. Your senior parent will need assistance to live at home, including home health care.
Home health care makes it less traumatic and stressful for seniors with Parkinson’s to get routine medical care. With home health care your mom or dad can receive visits from a certified medical professional who can provide routine care, answer questions, and administer medications. When seniors with Parkinson’s get routine medical care and monitoring at home they don’t have go through the physical and emotional stress of leaving the house for medical appointments.
Routine Health Care
Parkinson's disease can cause a range of motor and non-motor symptoms that may make it challenging for seniors to get into a car, travel to a doctor’s office, and walk to a doctor’s office inside a medical building. So, home health care is a great way to get your mom or dad the basic health care they need without forcing them to go through that. A home health care provider can take your senior parent’s vital signs, monitor their condition, and talk with you and your senior parent about what symptoms they are experiencing.
Medication Management and Monitoring
Seniors with Parkinson's disease often require complex medication regimens to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. But seniors who are living alone may struggle to take their medication correctly and on time.
Home health care providers play a crucial role in medication management by helping seniors organize their medications and learn when and how to take them. A home health care provider can also talk to your senior parent about any side effects they are experiencing or any concerns they have about their medications.
Additionally, home health care professionals can communicate with healthcare providers to report any concerns or adjustments needed to optimize medication management.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Parkinson's disease can lead to motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and postural instability. All of those symptoms can significantly impact your mom or dad’s mobility, balance, and overall physical function. Home health care agencies often provide physical therapy services to help seniors with Parkinson's improve their strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Family Education And Support
If you have questions about your senior parent’s condition and the progression of the disease a home health care worker can answer your questions and explain more about the disease to you. Often family members don’t want to ask questions during medical appointments because of the limited time that the doctor has. But a home health care provider can take the time to answer your questions and help you understand what is going on with your senior parent’s condition.
