{"id":3184,"date":"2022-04-18T08:00:26","date_gmt":"2022-04-18T12:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/designtheme1.wpengine.com\/?p=3184"},"modified":"2022-04-18T08:00:26","modified_gmt":"2022-04-18T12:00:26","slug":"5-things-you-may-not-know-about-parkinsons-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/bostonnw\/massachusetts\/blog\/5-things-you-may-not-know-about-parkinsons-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things You May Not Know About Parkinson\u2019s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1248px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><strong><em>Roughly one million people in the United States have Parkinson\u2019s Disease, with an additional million cases reported worldwide. Parkinson\u2019s is a baffling neurodegenerative disorder with no known cause, and at present, there isn\u2019t a cure. Many patients diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s are elderly, which is certainly concerning if you have aged in place relatives or friends. April is National<\/em> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.whathealth.com\/awareness\/event\/parkinsonsawarenessmonth.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parkinson\u2019s Awareness Month<\/a>, which makes it the perfect time for you to learn more about the disease. Here are 5 Parkinson\u2019s facts that you may not be aware of.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Famous People Get Parkinson\u2019s Disease<\/h2>\n<p>Many families are touched by someone with Parkinson\u2019s in one way or another. Here are several famous people who currently live with, or who once lived with, the disease:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Actors Michael J. Fox, Estelle Getty, and Billy Connolly<\/li>\n<li>Musicians Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Cash<\/li>\n<li>Former Alabama Governor George Wallace<\/li>\n<li>Boxer Muhammad Ali<\/li>\n<li>Christian evangelist Billy Graham<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Parkinson\u2019s Onset Can Be Subtle<\/h2>\n<p>Parkinson\u2019s Disease can be sneaky and the onset subtle. If you\u2019re an informal caregiver here\u2019s what to watch for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tremors (slight shaking) in the hands, fingers, thumbs, or chin<\/li>\n<li>Small handwriting that\u2019s unusual<\/li>\n<li>Loss of smell that can\u2019t otherwise be explained<\/li>\n<li>Trouble moving body parts or walking<\/li>\n<li>Constipation that\u2019s not related to medications or diet<\/li>\n<li>The voice that\u2019s getting softer and lower<\/li>\n<li>Sleeping difficulties including restless sleep<\/li>\n<li>Stooping or hunching over<\/li>\n<li>\u201cMasked\u201d face that looks serious or angry for no reason<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your loved one is starting to exhibit these signs, promptly get them seen by a doctor.<\/p>\n<h2>Parkinson\u2019s Also Affects Speech<\/h2>\n<p>Parkinson\u2019s targets the dopamine-producing area of the brain that controls motor skill activities, including speech. As a result, the disease can eventually start interfering with a patient\u2019s ability to communicate verbally. That can be frustrating for both of you, so <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everydayhealth.com\/parkinsons-disease\/helping-with-communication.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">experts<\/a> recommend taking these steps to keep the lines of verbal communication open:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Look directly into your loved one\u2019s eyes and speak face-to-face.<\/li>\n<li>Keep distractions to a minimum.<\/li>\n<li>Use verbal and nonverbal cues that both of you understand<\/li>\n<li>Ask questions that can be answered simply with a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d.<\/li>\n<li>Repeat back words or phrases that you understand. For example, \u201cMom, it sounds like you want me to make you some dinner now.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>If you\u2019re having trouble understanding what your loved one is saying, ask them to repeat themselves, spell out words or speak more slowly.<\/li>\n<li>Parkinson\u2019s Can Be Treated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although no known cure for Parkinson\u2019s exists, the disease\u2019s progression can be slowed down with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and certain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.parkinson.org\/Understanding-Parkinsons\/Treatment\/Prescription-Medications\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">medications<\/a>. Most of the drugs that neurologists prescribe temporarily replenish dopamine in the brain or mimic how it acts in the body- for example, to reduce tremors. Commonly prescribed Parkinson\u2019s medications include MAO inhibitors, levodopa, and anticholinergics. If your loved one is taking a medication for the disease, compliance is crucial, and be aware of potential drug interactions.<\/p>\n<h2>Caregiver Support is Available<\/h2>\n<p>Caring for someone with Parkinson\u2019s can be a full-time job that comes with unique challenges. The most important fact to remember is that you don\u2019t have to go it alone. There are numerous caregiving resources out there that can help facilitate a higher quality of life for you and your loved one. Here are some of the better ones:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Parkinson\u2019s support groups including online forums and social media groups<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.parkinson.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Parkinson\u2019s Foundation<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Family members and friends<\/li>\n<li>Community volunteers<\/li>\n<li>An in-home caregiver from a licensed home care agency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Professional In-Home Care for Seniors with Parkinson\u2019s<\/h2>\n<p>Assisting aging loved ones with Parkinson\u2019s is a labor of love, but it can also be tiring and stressful. When you need a break, contact Caring At Home. As a fully licensed and insured home care provider in Scranton, PA our well-trained caregivers can step in and support your seniors so they can keep aging in place with dignity and independence. Our focus as an agency is on providing the professional, compassionate care your loved one needs to ensure a higher quality of life for all family members.<\/p>\n<p>While in the home, our carefully screened caregivers can perform personal care, companion care, and even live-in or 24-hour care services. We have a licensed social worker on staff and RNs available around the clock to answer your questions. To learn more about Caring At Home today, or to book a FREE in-home consultation for a senior loved one now, please visit us at: <a href=\"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/massachusetts\/bostonnw\/\">assistinghands.com\/68\/massachusetts\/bostonnw<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many patients diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s are elderly, which is certainly concerning if you have aged in place relatives or friends. April is National Parkinson\u2019s Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time for you to learn more about the disease.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":225,"featured_media":3224,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[575],"tags":[259,645,732,361,865],"class_list":["post-3184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-parkinsons-disease","tag-caregiver-support","tag-difficulty-speaking","tag-loss-of-smell","tag-parkinsons-awareness-month","tag-tremors"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/225"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3184"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3184\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/68\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}