The most recognizable sign of Parkinson’s disease is the uncontrollable shaking that sufferers experience. Many people don’t realize that these tremors are something that people with Parkinson’s disease face later in the progression of the illness. The earlier signs of Parkinson’s disease are much more subtle and even surprising. But recognizing these symptoms could convince seniors to talk with their doctors earlier and begin treatment sooner. Senior home care providers can offer support with Parkinson’s disease and other challenges while seniors age in place.
Changes in Gait or Balance
When seniors experience any changes in balance or in how they walk, also called their gait, these are important indicators that something else is going on. In many cases, seniors may have lost muscle tone or experienced an injury. But these changes can also be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. Senior home care providers can assist with mobility, ensuring that seniors walk safely in their homes and that they have access to support when necessary.
Trouble Sleeping
Sleeping issues are also common for people with Parkinson’s disease. They might experience a lot of extra movement overnight, including tossing and turning. Poor sleep can be caused by a variety of different issues, however, so it’s important to talk with medical providers. Sometimes working with home care providers to adopt new habits during the day can resolve sleep issues. But if there is an underlying medical cause, it’s important to know for sure.
Problems with Sense of Smell
Lots of people with Parkinson’s disease had trouble with their sense of smell in the earlier stages of the illness, sometimes without realizing it. Seniors with Parkinson’s disease might not smell scents that are obvious to other people, which can cause them to change some behaviors, too. This can be dangerous if seniors aren’t able to smell when food has gone bad, for example, so having home care providers available for help makes a big difference in terms of safety concerns.
Muscle Stiffness
People in the earlier stages of Parkinson’s disease might start to realize that their muscles aren’t working as well as they did in the past. It’s all too easy to chalk this change up to aging or even to starting a new exercise program, if that’s something seniors are trying. But if muscles are stiff all the time, there might be more going on.
Small Hand Tremors
Hand tremors might come and go for a variety of reasons, including anxiety or even being too cold. But if they’re occurring more often, these could be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease for many aging adults. Mentioning them to medical professionals is a good idea, just in case.
Dizziness
Another common symptom in the earlier stages of Parkinson’s is that seniors might experience dizziness. This can happen because of unrelated issues, like standing up too fast or low blood pressure, but the dizziness related to Parkinson’s disease typically doesn’t have an obvious reason. It’s a good idea to get it checked out, especially if this is happening more often.
It’s always possible that some of these symptoms aren’t related to Parkinson’s disease at all, but just in case, seniors need to mention them to their doctors. Whether it’s Parkinson’s disease or not, senior home care providers can help aging adults cope with these and other challenges on a daily basis.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior home care in West Orange, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Adult Alternative Home Care today. (888) 664-1769
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