Parkinsons’ disease is a progressive condition—meaning symptoms worsen over time. Symptoms of this neurological condition manifest differently in different people. No two seniors experience the disease in the same way. Due to this reason, it is difficult to gauge the rate of its progression accurately.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder affecting the nervous system. The nervous system consists of a network of nerve cells that control parts of the body, including movement. When Parkinson’s causes damage to or death of the cells, the part of the brain controlling movement fails to work.
The death of or damage to the nerve cells is a gradual process. Once 50 percent of the brain’s nerve cell activity is lost do symptoms of Parkinson’s disease set in. Parkinson’s disease is a syndrome, and its diagnosis is based on the range of symptoms that manifest.
What causes the loss of nerve cells in the brain is not yet known. Research is underway to pinpoint how Parkinson’s disease starts. However, a combination of genetics (faulty genes) and environmental factors (pollution, herbicides) are believed to be responsible for triggering Parkinson’s disease.
What are Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
Symptoms may include motor issues or non-motor issues. Motor issues affect the senior’s ability to move (making movement slow or leading to a lack of movement) and cause shaking or rigid muscles. Non-motor issues may appear, such as pain, the loss of smell, or even dementia.
How Quickly Does Parkinson’s Progress?
At the outset, Parkinson’s symptoms may be mild. The progression of symptoms varies from senior to senior, since multiple underlying causes of the disease may be at play. However, symptoms progress gradually, with most worsening over the months or years.
A diagnosis is not usually made in most elderly individuals until a year or two has elapsed. The longer the senior experiences the symptoms, the easier it is to predict how the individual might fare over time. The disease may advance more slowly when certain symptoms are present.
For example, researchers find that the disease advances slowly in older Parkinson’s patients who experience tremors and shakiness solely on one side of their body. Conversely, the condition may advance at a faster rate in seniors with symptoms that affect both sides of their body.
The rate of disease progression is also influenced by the age of onset. The disease advances more rapidly in seniors who are older when their symptoms first begin. Regardless, Parkinson’s disease symptoms only worsen over time, sometimes causing new ones to appear.
At the outset, symptoms are mild and include legs that feel heavy or arms that fail to swing as freely when walking. After about 3 to 7 years, symptoms noticeably progress; the senior has trouble swallowing, balance and coordination become problematic, and the feet feel glued to the ground.
Most seniors do not reach the advanced stage, where serious disabilities occur. Medication fails to help when these elderly patients are confined to a bed or wheelchair, need help with daily tasks, and cannot drive on their own. Individuals also experience severe posture issues in their neck, back, and hips.
What are Signs that Parkinson’s has Advanced?
Despite the disease affecting each senior differently, signs may appear indicating the condition is progressing. A senior who first experiences tremors on one side of their body may now find the symptom affecting both sides. Dressing and other daily activities may take longer.
Major changes in gait may appear. At the first sign of disease, the senior may simply move more slowly. However, as Parkinson’s progresses, the initial slowness turns into a shuffle. Symptoms may feel worse one day and yet appear to subside the next.
To learn more about issues related to Parkinson’s disease in the elderly, read How Long Can a Senior Live with Parkinson’s Disease
How do Parkinson’s Patients Plan for their Future?
A care plan is essential for seniors diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Since the condition is progressive, older patients will ultimately need extra support with the activities of daily living. It’s important to seek the care of a neurologist or a doctor who specializes in movement disorders.
The physician may prescribe medications for the disease; however, since Parkinson’s is highly unpredictable, the drugs may work well for some people but not for others. Medications are most effective when the disease is mild. At the advanced stage, drugs do not perform as well.
Seniors might join a support group for Parkinson’s patients to learn how to cope with symptoms and tips to manage daily tasks. Yoga and tai chi are helpful for aging people. Staying physically active is an important part of overall health. Painting, dancing, and other creative passions serve as outlets.
Older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s can still lead an active, balanced life. Skilled support plays a big role in their quality of life. Seniors find a high level of hands-on support from Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers are experienced in providing compassionate Parkinson’s care at home.
As a reputable home care agency, we offer comprehensive non-medical care services designed to promote the health and well-being of seniors with Parkinson’s disease. Caregivers give timely medication reminders—taking prescribed drugs on schedule helps seniors affected by disease function better in daily life.
Caregivers offer mobility assistance, which is useful when the Parkinson’s patient has difficulty moving around. Transportation and escort are provided to local areas, such as the medical clinic or pharmacy. We prepare nutritious meals, perform light housekeeping, and remove fall hazards.
Seniors and their families feel confident in our licensed, bonded, and insured caregivers. Each of our professionals is trained in CPR and first aid—and know how to respond during an emergency. Care options are flexible too, ranging from live-in care to overnight care and respite care.
Plan for the future by incorporating dependable senior care from Assisting Hands Home Care into the older adult’s care plan. We are dedicated to serving the older adult community in Westlake, Ohio. Schedule a complimentary in-home consult today at 440-517-4623 and learn the benefits of senior home care.
