In-Home Care Interventions For Parkinson's Patients

Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that typically starts out with unilateral hand tremors before progressing to severe mobility problems, speech and vision impairments, muscle pain and stiffness, mood disorders, and severe balance problems. In the beginning stages of Parkinson's disease, you may be able to live independently and safely, however, as your Parkinson's progresses, you may face more challenges. Here are some ways a senior home health care provider can enhance the quality of your life if you have Parkinson's disease.

In-Home Mobility Navigation

As your Parkinson's disease progresses, your mobility needs may increase. You may require assistance getting up from a seated position, using new ambulation devices such as a walker, cane, or wheelchair, and you may need help transferring from your wheelchair to the toilet. The senior home health care provider can help you with these tasks and they can also provide standby assistance if you have recently had a new stairlift installed in your home.

While stairlifts are very safe when used properly, they can be intimidating for new users. Your in-home caregiver can also help you with physical therapy exercises to help enhance your muscle strength, coordination, and balance to reduce your risk for falls and to help promote your independence.

The senior home care provider will also help ensure that your floors are not cluttered, slippery, or wet so that you do not fall. They will also help make sure that your home is well-lit and that your furniture is placed properly so that you can easily maneuver your wheelchair or other mobility assistive devices around your sofa, tables, and chairs.

Bathing And Personal Hygiene

The senior home health care provider will also assist you with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks. You may be unable to get in and out of the tub or shower safely as your Parkinson's progresses, so the caregiver will provide standby assistance to make sure you do not fall or otherwise hurt yourself.

Because Parkinson's is a neurological disorder, it may affect your senses in ways that may upset you when the bathwater is running too loud or when the shower is turned on. The caregiver will be sensitive to these needs and will slowly fill the tub for you or go easy on the shower pressure so that you do not become anxious or fearful.

If you have Parkinson's disease and would like information on getting help at home, contact a senior home health care agency such as Comfort Keepers Home Health Care. Once you have the information you need, you can then decide on which home health services you need.

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