Parkinson’s Dementia Support

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and coordination. These changes in the brain from Parkinson’s dementia can lead to symptoms including – tremors and shakiness, muscle stiffness, a shuffling step, stooped posture, difficulty initiating movement and lack of facial expression.

As Parkinson’s dementia progresses, clients may experience increased difficulty with mobility, coordination and balance – increasing the risk of falls and injuries and making it more difficult to complete common daily tasks like showering, dressing, meal preparation, etc. Furthermore, clients may experience changes in mental functionality including – memory and the ability to pay attention, make sound judgments or plan the steps needed to complete a task.

Clients whose Parkinson’s dementia is progressing can experience frustration, anxiety, and depression, impacting the client’s (and the family-caregiver’s) quality of life.

Parkinson’s dementia-trained in-home caregivers offer a wide range of services to meet the unique needs of each individual including:

• Fall prevention: Parkinson’s disease can increase the risk of falls. Professionally trained caregivers can take measures to ensure the client’s safety including – removing tripping hazards and using assistive devices such as Gait Belts, Walkers, etc.
• Personal Care: Caregivers can assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including – showering, toileting, grooming, and dressing. Aides can also monitor changes in hygiene or physical condition (like a bed sore, for example), which can indicate a change in health status.
• Medication Reminders: Parkinson’sand dementia clients often require multiple medications – all of which must be taken at the right time and at the correct dosage. Professional caregivers can help with these medication reminders.
• Mobility Assistance: Dementia clients, including those with Parkinson’sdementia, often struggle with balance and mobility issues which can result in increased falls. Caregivers can assist with mobility, including – helping with safe transfers, walking with a walker or gait belt, etc.
• Meal Preparation: A professional caregiver can prepare nutritious meals for the individual, considering any dietary restrictions or preferences. Sometimes clients with Parkinson’s dementia forget to eat, so this additional assistance helps ensure that they receive appropriate nutrition and hydration.
• Emotional Support: Parkinson’s dementia can be isolating. Caregivers can be a great source of companionship – engaging in meaningful activities and offer emotional support to help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• Behavior Management: Parkinson’s clients may display challenging behaviors such as wandering, agitation, or aggression. These behaviors can increase at towards of the end of the day (this agitation and confusion is sometimes referred to as “Sundowning”). Caregivers are trained to manage and respond to these behaviors calmly and compassionately, using techniques including – redirection and reassurance.
• Communication Techniques: Trained caregivers are trained in communication techniques to help improve interactions between the caregiver and the individual with Parkinson’s. These techniques may include speaking slowly, using visual aids, and validating feelings and concerns.

Our comprehensive Parkinson’s dementia program includes:

• Encouraging independence, while providing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including – personal care (showering, dressing, toileting, etc), as well as assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLS) including – light housekeeping, laundry – including changing bed linens, meal preparation, medication reminders, shopping, transportation to appointments, and more
• Completing a comprehensive Client Assessment
• Developing and implementing a client-centered Care Plan
• Providing comprehensive caregiver training and continuous hands-on supervision
• Providing continuous communication with family and care providers