Helping Seniors with Parkinson’s Live Better: 5 Lifestyle Tips for Seniors and Caregivers
One million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, most of them over the age of 50. Seniors with Parkinson’s know that living a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things they can do to manage the disease, but following through is often challenging, especially with the limitations of their illness. As a caregiver, you have an important role to play in your loved one’s well-being. By helping your loved one with Parkinson’s disease make these healthy lifestyle changes, you support their health and independence while aging.
Eating a Healthy Diet
A balanced diet is just as important for adults with Parkinson’s as it is for other seniors, but the disease presents a few nutritional challenges. The first is medication interference: Since protein interferes with absorption of the Parkinson’s drug levodopa, seniors should take the drug at least 30 minutes before a meal or two hours after eating. Additionally, Parkinson’s frequently affects a person’s ability to chew and swallow. As such, this frequently makes eating difficult and can lead to unintended weight loss, but caregivers can help by serving soft foods and encouraging slow eating and smaller bites.
Preventing Falls
Falls are a frequent threat to seniors with Parkinson’s disease, whose shuffling gait and poor balance increases their risk of fall injuries. Caregivers can help by eliminating trip hazards such as throw rugs, loose cords, and low furniture, as well as re-arranging the home to create clear walking paths. Since eyesight is equally important to fall prevention, increase lighting throughout the home, particularly in dim areas like staircases and hallways.
Exercising for Mobility
Exercise is an important part of fall prevention for seniors and combats the effects of Parkinson’s disease as well. Regular exercise improves strength, stamina, and coordination in seniors with Parkinson’s, while decreasing rigidity and slowing the progression of the disease. Vigorous exercise, in particular, is beneficial for people with Parkinson’s, but it’s important to take a senior’s health status into account and not jump into an exercise routine that could put their health at risk. For seniors with mobility limitations, indoor exercise like swimming or following fitness videos at home is a better starting point than hitting the treadmill.
Supporting Mental Health
Mental health is a major challenge for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. Around half of all people with Parkinson’s have anxiety and depression. Apathy, impulse control disorders, and hallucinations may also occur in seniors with the disease. At home, seniors with Parkinson’s can practice mindfulness and work on maintaining a positive outlook. However, it’s also important to encourage your loved one to talk to a mental health professional about their feelings. Many mental health problems can be treated to improve a senior’s quality of life.
Knowing When to Ask for Help
The progressive nature of Parkinson’s disease means that, at some point, you may be unable to continue caring for your loved one at home. When it comes time to choose an assisted living facility, look for communities with experience in caring for people with Parkinson’s. In addition to nursing staff, an assisted living facility for Parkinson’s disease should have neurologists, counselors, and physical and occupational therapists available to residents. The best way to start your search is by looking online for local communities in Las Vegas that meet your loved one’s needs or contacting an advisor who can help you through this process.
Finally, caregivers should remember to make their own health and well-being a priority. Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s is a big job, and at times, it may feel like it’s more than you can handle. By taking care of yourself first and taking breaks when you need them, you can make sure you’re there for your aging loved one in their time of need.
— written by Karen Weeks