Do You Know the Signs of Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system, affecting the way an older adult moves. There are approximately 500,000 people in the United States living with the disease. Older adults can have Parkinson’s disease without knowing it for a while since the symptoms come on gradually. As a result, it may take a while to receive a diagnosis. Knowing the early signs of Parkinson’s disease could help you to spot the symptoms of the disease in your aging relative sooner, so they can begin treatment right away.
Below are some of the early signs of Parkinson’s disease to watch for.
Home Care Services Villa Hills KY – Do You Know the Signs of Parkinson’s Disease?
Tremor
Tremor is one of the hallmark signs of Parkinson’s disease and one that is also easily identifiable. A tremor is a twitching movement that commonly occurs in hands, fingers, or feet. The shaking motion gets worse as the disease progresses. Often, it’s easiest to see the tremor when the older adult is sitting still.
Cramped Handwriting
People with Parkinson’s may have a sudden change in their handwriting when the disease begins. The change happens because changes in the brain make it difficult to control the way their hand moves. People with Parkinson’s often have small, cramped handwriting. You may even notice that they start writing something using their normal handwriting, but the letters gradually get smaller and the words get closer together.
Changes in Smell
Parkinson’s can affect sense of smell, so your aging relative might not be able to smell things as acutely as they used to. The older adult may not be able to smell things like bananas and dill pickles.
Slowed Movement
It’s not uncommon for older adults to feel a little stiff in the morning and move a little more slowly. However, that kind of stiffness goes away as the senior moves around. However, the stiffness and slowness associated with Parkinson’s disease doesn’t go away.
Vocal Changes
Parkinson’s can affect the muscles and nerves involved in speaking, which can make the person’s voice change. While speech can become slurred with Parkinson’s, that usually doesn’t happen until later stages. In the early stages, you might notice the older adult speaking more quietly, using a lower tone of voice, or sounding hoarse. They might also sound monotone, with very little inflection as they speak.
If your aging relative is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, home care services can assist them to continue living at home. A home care services provider can help with tasks that might be difficult because of tremor, like buttoning clothing, holding a toothbrush steady while putting toothpaste on it, or eating with a fork or spoon. Home care services providers can also assist with mobility by walking with the older adult to ensure they don’t fall.
Sources: https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-warning-signs
https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons-warning-signs
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/parkinsons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20376055
If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Home Care Services in Villa Hills KY, please contact the caring staff at Queen City Elder Care today. Serving Cincinnati and Surrounding Communities. Call Us Today (513) 510-4410.
Michele Vollmer is a visionary leader who is perpetually searching for ways to improve, so to remain at the leading edge of the home care industry.She has served in the healthcare industry since 1989, including pharmaceutical and home health sales, as well as hospice sales and sales management.
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