{"id":3055,"date":"2024-10-09T19:11:42","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T19:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/98\/?p=3055"},"modified":"2025-06-04T18:58:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T18:58:45","slug":"parkinsons-progress-in-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/98\/ohio\/westlake\/blog\/parkinsons-progress-in-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"How Quickly Does Parkinson’s Progress in Seniors?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parkinsons\u2019 disease is a progressive condition\u2014meaning 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.<\/p>\n

What is Parkinson\u2019s Disease?<\/h2>\n

Parkinson\u2019s 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\u2019s causes damage to or death of the cells, the part of the brain controlling movement fails to work.<\/p>\n

The death of or damage to the nerve cells is a gradual process. Once 50 percent of the brain\u2019s nerve cell activity is lost do symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease set in. Parkinson\u2019s disease is a syndrome, and its diagnosis is based on the range of symptoms that manifest.<\/p>\n

What causes the loss of nerve cells in the brain is not yet known. Research is underway to pinpoint how Parkinson\u2019s disease starts. However, a combination of genetics (faulty genes) and environmental factors (pollution, herbicides) are believed to be responsible for triggering Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

What are Symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s Disease?<\/h2>\n

Symptoms may include motor issues or non-motor issues. Motor issues affect the senior\u2019s 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Doctor<\/p>\n

How Quickly Does Parkinson\u2019s Progress?<\/h2>\n

At the outset, Parkinson\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

For example<\/strong>, researchers find that the disease advances slowly in older Parkinson\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s disease symptoms only worsen over time, sometimes causing new ones to appear.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"elderly<\/a><\/p>\n

What are Signs that Parkinson\u2019s has Advanced?<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n