As we age, our health naturally hits more challenges. One of the biggest concerns for our senior loved ones is ensuring their independence can be maintained for as long as possible.
A significant challenge to that independence comes in the form of movement disorders. Health issues can threaten our autonomous body movements as our loved ones age. Conditions such as Parkinson’s and other involuntary movement disorders prevent our loved ones from fulfilling their best life.
Many unknowns exist about what to expect when our loved one is diagnosed with a movement disorder. The changes to their health can seem daunting, but we are here to help by equipping you with as much information as possible.
What Is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative movement disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness, and trouble with balance and coordination. The symptoms of this disorder start gradually and get worse over time.
As the disease progresses, individuals could lose the ability to walk and talk. They also run the risk of dealing with mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue. While the movement issues are a big concern, we shouldn’t overlook these other symptoms either.
Although younger patients can be diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it is most common in older patients. It is the most well-known of the possible movement disorders due to its impact on seniors – especially males.
What Other Movement Disorders Affect Seniors?
As we stated above, Parkinson’s is the most common movement disorder. However, it isn’t the only one. Your loved one could be diagnosed with any number of movement disorders.
These other movement disorders can be degenerative or even genetic. Some can be treated to prevent the symptoms from getting worse. No matter which condition your loved one has, they all affect your loved one’s quality of life.
Some common other movement disorders:
Ataxia – A movement disorder that affects the part of the brain that controls coordinated movement. Ataxia may cause uncoordinated or clumsy balance, speech or limb movements, and other symptoms. This disorder can be genetic, degenerative, or caused by a treatable source such as infection.
Dystonia – This disorder involves sustained involuntary muscle contractions with twisting, repetitive movements. There are different types of dystonia, considering the condition can affect the whole body or specific locations.
Huntington’s disease – An inherited, progressive disease that can be confirmed with genetic testing. Huntington’s disease has three components: uncontrolled movements, cognitive problems, and psychiatric conditions.
Myoclonus – A condition that causes lightning-quick jerks of a muscle.
Tardive dyskinesia – This neurological condition is caused by the long-term use of certain drugs used to treat psychiatric disorders, called neuroleptic drugs. Tardive dyskinesia causes repetitive and involuntary movements such as grimacing, eye blinking, etc.
Tremor – A movement disorder that causes rhythmic shaking of parts of the body, such as the hands, head, or other body parts. Tremors can be minimally intrusive to your loved one’s daily life or can cause significant disruptions.
What Can We Do To Help?
We all want to know that our loved ones get the best care possible, no matter their challenges. Now that your loved one has a diagnosis, you want to find the best solutions for them. After all, they’re your family, and you want to make their lives easier.
First and foremost, the best thing you can do for your senior is to show them how much you love them. Knowing they aren’t alone will help ease the anxiety of their new reality. There will be time in the future to worry about doctors and treatments. The best thing you can do for them right now is to give them all your love.
Of course, knowing who their doctors are and what treatment options are available for them is essential, but so is your job of ensuring their living environment is safe and secure. If you don’t feel comfortable or don’t have the hours in the day, hiring an in-home caregiver could be an optimal solution.
Choosing the correct type of caregiver is half the battle. When looking into options for your loved one, choosing someone who can confidently provide them with the best individualized care for their needs is essential. If possible, choose an agency specializing in treating individuals with movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s.
An agency specializing in movement disorders, such as Westchester Family Care, will know the ins and outs of your loved one’s diagnosis and have qualified caregivers ready to transition your family into this new normal with compassion and ease.
Having a movement disorder can significantly change the life they’ve always known, but it doesn’t have to stop your loved one from living their best life. Contact us today if you have any further questions.