When considering care for an aging adult who is living with Parkinson’s disease, it is important to think not just about their physical health and safety, but also their mental and emotional well-being.
While most people immediately think of the physical symptoms of the disease, such as tremors or difficulty with gait, it is important to realize that these are only some of the symptoms your parent is likely to face as they progress through the disease. Other non-movement related symptoms can begin in the earliest stages of the disease, and can actually have as much or even more of a negative impact on functioning and quality of life as physical changes. One of these symptoms can be anxiety.
It is completely normal to anticipate that your aging parents would feel nervousness, worry, and even a sense of dread when getting a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. When these feelings escalate and begin to have a true impact on their functioning and daily living, it may have become a level of anxiety that could be detrimental to their health and well-being. This type of anxiety is actually related to the Parkinson’s disease, and not just a reaction to it. Anxiety such as this is caused by the changes in the brain chemistry related to the disease. Experts estimate that approximately 40% of those living with Parkinson’s disease will experience anxiety as a symptom of the disease.
Anxiety in PD can take on several forms, including:
- Generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Social anxiety disorder
It is important to note that anxiety is not as progressive as the disease itself.
This means that your parent may experience severe anxiety early in the disease, but fewer symptoms when they progress, or symptoms may not even develop until later in the progression. It is important to pay close attention to your senior’s functioning and behaviors so you can better identify when they might have developed such a symptom, and be able to get them the care and support they need to manage it properly.
How can Home Care Services Help?
Starting home care for an elderly adult who is living with Parkinson’s disease can be an extremely effective way to help them manage both their physical and their mental/emotional challenges related to the disease. An in-home senior care services provider offers fully customized services designed to help your parent in a wide variety of aspects of their life, from mobility issues to emotional challenges such as anxiety.
While physical support can help your parent cope with fall risk and similar challenges, companionship and emotional support can help with anxiety and depression. Together this support helps your loved one cope with their challenges effectively, and pursue a safe, healthy, and meaningful lifestyle while moving through the progressive stages of this disease.
For more information about hiring a Home Care Services in La Jolla, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Source:
Parkinson.org/Statistics
Parkinson.org/Anxiety
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