April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, and now is a great time to learn more about the early signs of Parkinson’s and how Parkinson’s could impact your senior parent. Senior home care providers are a great resource for spotting the signs of Parkinson’s early, because they spend time with your parent every day and notice changes in their health.
If your parent doesn’t already have senior home care, now is a good time to find out more about the many ways that senior home care benefits seniors. In some cases, seniors who do develop Parkinson’s can continue living at home with the help of senior home care.
How Parkinson’s Affects Seniors
The chances of your parent developing Parkinson’s disease go up as they get older. Every year, nearly a million seniors are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, and the symptoms can become debilitating.
Parkinson’s disease affects a senior’s motor skills, which can cause them to have a hard time walking, keeping their balance, gripping, and holding things. They have been unable to control their movements or have tremors. And they may also develop dementia as a result of the disease.
Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. But when it’s caught and diagnosed early, your parent may be able to slow down the progression of the disease with medication and treatments.
That’s why it’s important to know the early signs of Parkinson’s disease in seniors, such as:
Tremors or Shaking
One of the most common early signs of Parkinson’s disease is a tremor, which is a small shaking movement. This shaking often begins in the hands or fingers when the person is at rest.
For example, a senior might notice their hand shaking while sitting still or when their hand is resting in their lap. Sometimes the tremor begins in just one hand. It may also appear in the chin, lips, or legs.
Not every tremor means someone has Parkinson’s. Stress, fatigue, and certain medications can also cause shaking. However, a resting tremor that happens often should be checked by a doctor.
Slower Movements
Parkinson’s disease can cause movement to become slower over time. This is known as “bradykinesia.” Seniors may notice that simple tasks take longer than they used to.
For example, walking across a room, getting dressed, or standing up from a chair may feel slower and more difficult. Some people also take shorter steps when walking.
Family members may notice that the person moves less naturally than before. Movements may appear stiff or delayed.
Stiff Muscles
Muscle stiffness is another common early symptom. Seniors with early Parkinson’s may feel tightness or stiffness in their arms, legs, neck, or shoulders.
This stiffness can make movement uncomfortable. It may also reduce the natural swinging of the arms when walking. Some people describe the feeling as tight or rigid muscles that do not relax easily.
Changes in Handwriting
A sudden change in handwriting can also be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. Many people with the condition develop smaller and more crowded handwriting.
For example, a senior who once wrote clearly may begin writing with letters that are tiny and close together. Their writing may also become more difficult to read.
This change is sometimes called “micrographia.” It happens because Parkinson’s can affect fine motor control in the hands and fingers.
Balance Problems or Changes in Posture
Parkinson’s disease can affect balance and posture even in its early stages. Seniors may begin to stand or walk with a slightly stooped posture.
They may also feel less steady on their feet. Some people have trouble turning around or may feel like they might lose their balance when walking.
These changes can increase the risk of falls, which is why they should not be ignored.
Changes in Facial Expression
Another early sign of Parkinson’s is a reduced ability to show facial expressions. Some people develop what doctors call a “masked face,” where the face appears less expressive than usual.
Family members might notice that the senior seems serious or blank even when they are not feeling that way. Blinking may also happen less often.
This symptom occurs because Parkinson’s can affect the muscles that control facial movement.
Sources: https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/statistics
https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/10-early-signs
If you or an aging loved one is considering Senior Home Care Services in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, please call the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today! 1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
Canaan Home Care – A Premier Provider of Senior Home Care in the La Jolla, Del Mar, San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Tustin, and Manhattan Beach areas.
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