Signs of Parkinson’s Disease to Look Out for in Your Loved One
June 5, 2020 | Loss
Your parent has always been a strong and constant force in your life. That’s why it’s so jarring and heartbreaking to see their health decline as they age. Unfortunately, you may have noticed changes in their behavior that don’t seem like a normal part of aging.
If your parent has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may feel a sense of uncertainty around the disease and how it’s going to impact your loved one over time. This is why familiarizing yourself with the basics of Parkinson’s disease can be so beneficial. You don’t have to know every detail about the disease, but being knowledgeable and understanding of what your parent is experiencing can help you anticipate changes in their behavior and provide them with better care.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects your loved one’s ability to perform common, daily activities. Parkinson’s disease occurs when nerve cells in the area of the brain that controls movement become impaired or die.
It is a chronic and progressive disease, meaning that the symptoms your loved one develops worsen over time. The most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include consistent shaking, muscle stiffness and difficulty with walking, balance and coordination.
5 Signs of Parkinson’s Disease in Your Parent
There are a variety of different signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and they can vary for every individual. Early signs of the disease can sometimes go unnoticed, and symptoms will usually begin on one side of your loved one’s body. Some signs and symptoms include:
- Tremors. A tremor or shaking that begins in one of your loved one’s limbs, like their hand or fingers, can be a sign of Parkinson’s disease. Your loved one may notice their hand shaking when it is at rest, or you may see them continuously rub their fingers together.
- Slowed Movement. Over a period of time, Parkinson’s disease may slow your loved one’s overall movement. This could make simple daily tasks more difficult and time consuming. You might notice your loved one’s steps becoming shorter when they walk or that they have difficulty getting out of a chair.
- Loss of Automatic Movements. A common sign of Parkinson’s disease is the loss of automatic movements. You may notice your loved one might have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, such as smiling, blinking or swinging their arms when they walk.
- Rigid Muscles. Muscle stiffness can occur at any point and in any part of the body. When your parent’s muscles become stiff, this can cause them to be in pain and limit their range of motion.
- Speech Changes. When your parent has Parkinson’s disease, you may notice that they begin to speak more softly, more quickly or that they’ve started to slur their words. You might also notice your loved one hesitates before speaking and that their speech has become more monotone.
Find the Care Your Loved One Needs at CC Young Senior Living
At CC Young Senior Living, we offer residents that require assistance with daily tasks the senior living options of assisted living and memory support. Your loved one is sure to find the support and care they need when they decide to become a member of the CC Young community.
Our assisted living community’s goal is to provide your loved one with the correct level of assistance they need, while allowing them to live their most independent life. Residents in our assisted living communities can enjoy things like our urgent care call system, in-house exercise and therapy programs, medication management and more.
Our memory support community is dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other forms of memory impairment. Our staff is specially trained to provide the best quality care to residents and help them live as independently as possible.
Contact us today at to explore our senior living options and determine which one is the right fit for your loved one.
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