Can a Doctor Tell Your Parent What They Will Expect with Parkinson’s Disease?

As a family caregiver, when your aging parent receives a diagnosis of a serious health issues such as Parkinson’s disease, your first instinct is likely to ask what to expect. You immediately want as much information as you possibly can get about what your parent is going through right in this moment, as well as what they will face in the days, weeks, months, and even years to come. While preparing yourself for the progression of the disease is an important element of giving your senior the type of care they need, it may not as easy as asking a doctor what to expect.

The truth is, a doctor is not able to see ahead into the progression of the disease and accurately predict what your parent will face, and when. Every person who suffers from Parkinson’s disease will experience the progression of the disease in their own personal way. This means no doctor can accurately predict exactly what they will go through, and the pace at which they will progress through the stages of the disease. That being said, there is a general process of progression through the disease that people suffering Parkinson’s tend to follow. Broken into five stages, the progression generally follows a pattern of increased symptoms and challenges. Talking to their doctor about these stages can help your senior, and you, better understand the disease and how they might progress. This can give you a list of symptoms to look for that might indicate your senior is progressing to a further stage of disease, and allows you to take steps now that will prepare you for the future challenges of caring for your senior.

It can be challenging to face all of the needs of an elderly adult. This is especially true if that senior is living with a serious medical condition, such as Parkinson’s disease. Fortunately, taking on the role of being a family caregiver does not mean having to do it all on your own. Home care is there for you. Introducing an in-home senior care services provider into your care routine with your aging parent can be an invaluable way to boost the effectiveness of the care services you give them, enhance their quality of life, and also ease your stress to support your own health and well-being as your senior ages. When it comes to caring for an adult with a serious health issue, a home care provider can help your parent to follow through with the guidelines given to them by their doctor, including helping them make good lifestyle choices, preparing healthy meals and snacks, encouraging physical activity, and providing medication reminders to keep them compliant with their doctor’s instructions.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Abington, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860 .