Parkinson’s Caregivers – Expert Care & Support for Parkinson’s Disease Patients throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Somerset and Union Counties in New Jersey.

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease can be scary, but knowing what to expect can ease some of the anxiety associated with it. Nearly one million people in the U.S. suffer from Parkinson’s disease, a chronic and progressive movement disorder. Symptoms can vary from person to person. However, in general, people with Parkinson’s disease lose control over their range of motion which gets worse over time. The good news is that Parkinson’s can be managed and many people live with it for decades.

Parkinson’s generally affects the brain’s neurons. The neurons malfunction and die and when they die, the amount of dopamine—a chemical that sends signals to the brain to control movement—decreases. The progressive death of neurons means that less and less dopamine gets sent to the brain, which is why symptoms get progressively worse over time.

Long before the classic symptoms of tremors and gait instability appear, Parkinson’s disease, which affects 1.5 million Americans, might be diagnosable allowing for the possibility for earlier intervention and amelioration of the disease. The Lancet published a study that found that many of those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease had experienced the following symptoms five years earlier:

Caregivers for Parkinson’s Disease

Additionally, research has found that REM sleep behavior disorder is one of the strongest indicators for the disease. This is when someone acts out their dreams while still asleep. A Parkinson’s pre-diagnostic symptom can also be the loss of the sense of smell and minor changes in cognitive ability.

Common symptoms include the following:

For a diagnosis, doctors generally look for at least four motor symptoms. Some people experience tremors first, while others notice their imbalance before anything else. If you or someone you know has any of the above symptoms, it might be worth a visit to the doctor.

To date, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. However, there are many medications available to ease some of the symptoms. Some patients have also experienced relief from a surgical option called Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in which an impulse generator is implanted into the brain. While the surgery does not do anything to stop the progression of the disease, it can increase the quality of life for some patients. As with any brain surgery, it does come with certain risks, including bleeding and stroke. Your doctor will be able to direct you.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic condition and to date, there is no cure. But, that doesn’t mean that your loved one can’t still live a full life. Adapting your home to make it easier for your loved one to move around and perform daily activities will go a long way towards improving their quality of life and reducing the risk of accidents along the way. At David York Agency, we understand the unique challenges of Parkinson’s disease and we’re here to help you and your loved one as you navigate them.

Caring for the Patient With Parkinson’s Disease at Home

More and more Parkinson’s patients are opting for ending their lives in the comfortable surroundings of their home. This is especially the case for the elderly who are often too frail to be moved successfully. David York Agency in-home care providers are able to focus specifically on providing relief involved with care of Parkinson’s sufferers. They are monitored by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who understand how to treat the specific symptoms of Parkinson’s sufferers and improve the quality of the remaining years of life.

When home healthcare becomes necessary, David York Agency provides skilled home health aide services for the elderly and infirm in their home. A nurse is always available and would be happy to discuss your case with you.

No matter what level of service you need, we’re available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. Sometimes the cost of the services can be covered by private medical insurance or Medicare depending on the physician’s orders. Often long term care insurance will pay for a home health aide when the patient is unable to perform activities of daily living.

Your Trusted Source for In Home Health Care and Support for Parkinson’s Disease Patients – Parkinson’s In-Home Caregivers

When you are faced with the challenge of finding the best in-home care provider in northern New Jersey to help care for the emotional and physical well-being of someone you love, maybe your mom or dad, you will want to be confident that you are making the right choice.

At David York Home Healthcare Agency, extraordinary service is what sets us apart from other companies who provide in home health care services. Whatever your care needs, we are there for you, always striving to exceed your expectations.

We provide our home care, senior care, dementia care and specialized in-home care services throughout the northern New Jersey counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Somerset and Union, including the towns of Franklin Lakes, Paramus, Ridgewood, Livingston, Verona, Secaucus, Morristown, Berkeley Heights, Cranford and Springfield. For a complete list of areas where we provide in-home care and support services for seniors, elderly adults and people of all ages, please visit our Service Areas page.