Approximately one million people throughout the United States are currently living with Parkinson’s disease and another 60,000 will receive a new diagnosis of this condition each year. Of these, around 70 percent will experience tremors as one of their symptoms. In fact, tremors are often the first issue that people notice that make them question if their elderly parent might be dealing with Parkinson’s disease. It is important to note, however, that Parkinson’s disease is not the only cause of tremors, making it vital that your elderly parent get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.

Tremors can be life-changing symptoms. Ranging from very mild to severe, this shakiness can make a tremendous impact on your parent’s functioning and quality of life. As their caregiver you can help them to maintain better quality of life, independence, health, and well-being by giving them the type of care that is right for their needs.

 

Use these tips to care for an elderly loved one who is dealing with tremors:

• Ease stress. Stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil can trigger tremors and make them worse. Help your aging parent to manage the stress in their life and work with them to find ways to help them ease this stress, release negative emotions, and control anxiety.
• Discourage caffeine. Encourage your aging parent to cut down on the amount of caffeine that they consume. Caffeine is a stimulant, which can cause tremors to be worse. If they enjoy coffee, tea, or other caffeinated beverages, consider switching them for decaffeinated versions.
• Modify the home. Help your senior to maintain as much independence as possible by making meaningful modifications throughout the home that help them to use basic features more effectively even with their tremors. This can include replacing small knobs with handles or enlargers or replacing your parent’s conventional coffeemaker with a single cup maker so that they do not need to try to lift an entire carafe.
• Consider weighted items. Help your parent to handle basic tasks such as eating with weighted items. Weighted eating utensils and other items help your aging parent better control them when their hands are shaking.
• Provide physical support. If your aging parent is suffering from tremors that affect their gait, providing physical support and assistance can reduce the chances that they will suffer a serious fall or other accident while navigating their home or handling tasks such as bathing, toileting, dressing, or getting in and out of the vehicle.

 

If your aging parent has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or their symptoms have increased to the point at which you do not feel confident that you are giving them all of the care that they need as they age in place, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting elderly care for them. An elderly home care services provider can be with your aging parent on a customized schedule that is right for their individual needs, challenges, limitations, and symptoms so that they can pursue an active, engaged, and fulfilling lifestyle while remaining safe, healthy, comfortable, and as independent as possible. This care provider can help your parent to understand the condition that they are facing and the instructions, guidelines, and prescriptions that were set forth for them by their doctor. They can then give them support, encouragement, and reminders to help them remain compliant with these instructions and make the lifestyle choices that are right for their needs. Not only does this help your senior to manage the symptoms that they are experiencing now, but also enables them to better prepare for the future symptoms that might develop later in their journey with the disease.

 

If you or an aging family member are considering hiring elderly care in Decatur, GA, please contact the caring staff at Caring Companions of Atlanta 470-514-5954 .

We provide quality non-medical services to our clients in their homes or in a facility if that’s where they live. Our staff is available for care plans for extensive care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or as little as 4 hours per visit. Reach out to us, and one of our outstanding administrative staff will meet with potential clients to assist them and their families in designing an effective, personal plan of care.

 

Sources:

http://www.pdf.org/symptoms

http://www.pdf.org/symptoms_primary