Elder Care in Marietta GA
Approximately 10 million people throughout the world are living with Parkinson’s disease. One million of these are in the United States. If your senior is one of the people who are on this 
progressive journey, it is your responsibility as their family caregiver to help them manage their condition in the best way possible while also preparing them for the future progression of the disease.
The early stage of PD, also referred to as Stage 1, is characterized by minor symptoms that have only a mild impact on daily experience. During this stage your parent is likely to experience very little changes in their functioning and what changes do occur are unlikely to negatively impact their quality of life. This does not mean, however, that they do not require care. This is the time when your care journey with them begins, and the efforts that you put forth for them now will make a tremendous difference in how they manage the rest of the progression.
Use these tips to help you care for your elderly parent in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease:
- Talk to them about it. Now is the time for you to open up the lines of communication with your aging parent and make their PD a normal and accepted part of their daily lives. Showing them that you are not shying away from the reality of their diagnosis is an important part of demonstrating that you are there for them and ready to do whatever you need to give them the care and support that they need as they confront this disease.
- Find their care team. Symptoms are only minor at this stage, but they will progress. It is important that you prepare your aging parent to handle every stage of the disease by helping them find the doctor and other medical professionals who will care for them throughout the experience. Make sure that they find a doctor who they get along with and who holds the same types of beliefs and goals regarding their future and treatment.
- Help them make future plans. The future plans your parent makes now will help to guide your care for them later. Their mind is still clear and they are capable of understanding their condition and what it will mean for them. Encourage them to make plans regarding issues such as elder care, hospice care, life support, and resuscitation, as well as legal plans such as power of attorney, a living will, a medical directive, financial arrangements, and others. This can help both of you feel more confident as you continue in this new chapter in your lives.
If your aging parent has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, starting elder care for them as early as possible can help them to experience the highest quality of life as they progress through their condition. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider are not just beneficial to your aging parent as they start to experience the symptoms of PD. Instead, having such a care provider with them enables your senior to feel more prepared for the journey ahead of them. This can mean helping them to adopt coping mechanisms to deal with their symptoms and potential future symptoms, identifying meaningful modifications that you can make to their home to make it safer, and supporting their ongoing activity and engagement so that they can continue to pursue a fulfilling lifestyle as they age in place. Even in the earliest stages of the disease, this type of support can help your senior feel more confident in this new chapter in their lives and find ways to maintain the lifestyle that they desire even as they cope with their symptoms.
If you or an aging family member are considering hiring in-home elderly care in Atlanta, 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.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-warning-signs
http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons/The-Stages-of-Parkinsons-Disease