With over 4 out of 1000 Australians being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, there are around 80,000 patients in Australia.
In essence, Parkinson’s disease refers to a neurological disorder that can severely impact a person’s mood and balance.
Parkinson’s disease entails severe nerve cell breakdown, leading to dopamine decrease and impaired movement. But what effect does this disease have on older Aussies? How can Parkinson’s patients navigate routine life?
Read on to find out and find out about aged care Canberra!
What is the impact of Parkinson’s Disease on older people?
With over 5% of Parkinson’s patients being above the age of 85, it is a disease that severely affects people in their older stages. The most evident symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in older people are:
- Inability to perform essential motor functions such as walking, moving, running, etc. due to symptoms such as trouble with balance, rigidity, tremors, and difficulty walking.
- Further non-motor-related symptoms include depression, cognitive issues, loss of sleep, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), speech issues, etc.
Dealing with Parkinson’s syndrome seems impossible, but it can be managed with the disease having a long interim period before its symptoms wholly set in. You can consider aged care Canberra to provide professional care and assistance to Parkinson’s affected patients.
Read on to learn how to manage day-to-day activities with Parkinson’s disease!
Managing daily activities with Parkinson’s Disease
Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease does not mean the end of all your day-to-day activities. Although it is incurable, there are ways to manage your daily life post Parkinson’s diagnosis. Here are a few ways to navigate Parkinson’s disease.
1. Rest
If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, your stamina will take a massive shunt, and you will tire out considerably sooner. Therefore, you must rest at regular intervals to rejuvenate for the rest of the day.
Conserve your energy while conducting routine activities, and don’t forget to plan ahead of time. You need to plan your day well in advance to gauge how much energy you will be left with.
There is a chance your ankles might swell, but resting them in an elevated position will alleviate the problem.
2. Exercise
Parkinson’s will have detrimental effects on your joints and muscles, making them exceedingly stiff. As time progresses, the stiffness will worsen, so you need to get in enough exercise every day.
Only then will you be able to increase your stability as and when the disease symptoms start worsening. Furthermore, stress and anxiety will also take a backseat, provided you exercise regularly.
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3. Sleep
Sleep is fleeting for every Parkinson’s patient. This is because of the growing pains and discomfort all over the body. Try and conserve your sleep during the day so that you will tire yourself out and sleep off early at night.
4. Make modifications to your home
The accommodation of Parkinson’s patients should be modified to make their lives at least a little bit easier. Handrails and ramps are your best friends since they provide significant assistance in mobility.
Conclusion
The life of a Parkinson’s patient can be exceedingly tricky. But since the symptoms set in some time after the diagnosis, the above tips can help you reduce pain and make life easier as and when the symptoms do set in.
Consider aged care professional support and guidance related to the care of Parkinson’s affected older Aussies.
