Author name: Georgiana Ciobotaru

What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. The condition develops when cells in the brain stop working properly and are lost over time. These brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine. Symptoms start to appear when the brain cannot make enough dopamine to control movement properly. What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? There are three main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: Other symptoms include difficulty turning over in bed, fatigue, reduced sense of smell, depression, anxiety, tiredness, disturbed sleep, constipation, and a tendency to have small handwriting. How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed? If you suspect you may have Parkinson’s disease, you should make an appointment to see your GP. Your GP will refer you to a specialist if they think you may have the condition. You may want to keep a diary to help you explain your symptoms to the specialist. It may also be a good idea to make a list of any questions you want to ask. It can be helpful to take someone with you to your appointment for support. There is no definitive test for Parkinson’s disease. Your specialist will take a detailed medical history, and they will examine you to look for common signs of the condition. This will include checking your walk, speech, face and limbs to check for symptoms. You may also be asked to write or draw. Your specialist will check that the symptoms do not have a cause other than Parkinson’s disease. What treatments can help Parkinson’s disease? If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you will be offered a variety of treatments to manage your symptoms. The three main treatments to help you manage your Parkinson’s disease are: Each person has a unique experience of living with Parkinson’s disease so your specialist will find the right combination of treatments for you. Medication There are a range of medications that can improve your symptoms, and your specialist will prescribe the one that is right for you. Some of these medications do have side effects, but your specialist will talk you through these. Exercise Recent research has suggested that exercise can be as important as medication in managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Increasing exercise to 2.5 hours per week can make a significant difference. Some patients may be put off trying exercise because of the physical symptoms of the condition such as slow movement, rigidity, pain, anxiety and fatigue. However, it is worth persevering as exercise can make such a big impact on wellbeing, as well as a slowing the progression of the symptoms. Exercise can also improve other issues such as poor sleep, mood problems and constipation. You may want to talk to your GP, specialist or physiotherapist to find out what kind of exercise plan would be best for you. However, ultimately the right exercise is whatever eases your symptoms and makes you feel better. Therapies As well as taking medication and exercising, there are specific therapies that can help people living with Parkinson’s disease. These include: 1.       Physiotherapy Physiotherapy can help people if they are having trouble with everyday movement such as walking or getting out of bed. Physiotherapists can also advise on what kinds of exercises can be helpful in managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 2.       Speech and Language Therapy A speech and language therapist will help you to express yourself clearly so you can be understood by those around you. Speech and language therapists can also help with the physical difficulties around eating and drinking, such as difficulty swallowing. 3.       Occupational therapy An occupational therapist can provide invaluable help with managing everyday tasks. Your occupational therapist will work with you to develop techniques and strategies to help with tasks you find difficult. He or she will also be able to advise on equipment and technologies that may be useful. Your GP or specialist will be able to refer you for the above therapies. Keeping well with Parkinson’s disease As well as the above treatments, there are general lifestyle changes that can help with Parkinson’s disease. This includes eating a healthy diet that is full of plant-based foods and high in antioxidants. It is also important to stay hydrated. In addition, you should get outside as much as possible to get some fresh air and sunshine. Being outside allows your body to make vitamin D from sunlight. How to care for someone with Parkinson’s disease If you are caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease, you may be wondering what to do to help. Of course, this depends on the person you are caring for and what stage of the disease they are at. For example, a person recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may not need much practical help but might find it beneficial to talk over the implications of their diagnosis and how they are feeling. You may be able to support the person you care for by helping and encouraging them to undertake the activities that help them to manage symptoms, such as exercising and eating well. As Parkinson’s disease develops, the person you care for may begin to rely on you for practical help with everyday tasks. Mumby’s can offer support to care for your loved ones in their own home if needed. How Mumby’s Homecare Support can help? At Mumby’s, we provide outstanding live-in care for the elderly, with a particular focus on the specialist support required for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Our professional and friendly staff are trained in the practical support of your loved ones with these Parkinson’s disease so that they can stay in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes and neighbourhood. Our carers provide help around the home as well as personal care. They can cook nutritious meals for your loved one, encourage exercise, and offer companionship and emotional support. Our carers can also help your loved one with their personal care needs, such as toileting and bathing. If you need help supporting

Tips to help you with Parkinson’s care for your loved one If you are caring for someone living with Parkinson’s there can be a lot of challenges. However, it is possible to provide good Parkinson’s care for your loved one. In addition, there is plenty of support available to help you. What is Parkinson’s Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that develops when cells in the brain stop working properly. These brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine. Symptoms start to appear when the brain can’t make enough dopamine to control movement properly. The three main Parkinson’s symptoms are: Other symptoms include fatigue, reduced sense of smell, depression, anxiety, tiredness, disturbed sleep and constipation. How is Parkinson’s treated? There are a range of treatments available for people living with Parkinson’s. These include medication, exercise and therapies. Each person has a unique experience of living with Parkinson’s. Your specialist will find the right combination of treatments for you or your loved one. Care will involve a arrange of health professionals including doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. Good nutrition and regular, appropriate exercise can also be enormously helpful in living well with Parkinson’s. How can I provide Parkinson’s care for a loved one? Caring for someone living with Parkinson’s disease depends on their individual needs and the severity of their symptoms. However, in general, caring for someone with Parkinson’s involves assistance with: Tips to help you care for your loved one with Parkinson’s Make sure you have time to relax and that you stay healthy and well. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Enlist the help of other family members or a professional carer to assist you in providing care. Get to know what causes its symptoms, how the condition progresses and the treatments that can help manage it? Go along to their medical appointments and ask any questions you have. Do your research. For example, sites such as http://www.parkinsons.org.uk are a great place to start. Being well informed and understanding changes that may occur will help you to adapt and continue to care well for your loved one. With this movement disorder, your loved one may struggle with some daily chores such as cooking and cleaning or popping to the shops and they may be embarrassed to ask for help. So an offer of support when needed may be greatly appreciated. Remember to set yourself realistic goals though and don’t overdo it. This will help them to feel more normal and keep their sense of self. In addition, you can’t do everything! Parkinson’s can be very isolating and lonely. Take your loved one out for a walk together. Exercise is important for people with Parkinson’s as it improves their strength, balance, memory, and overall quality of life. It also gives them a change of scene and a sense of normality. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease and your loved one’s symptoms will change over time. Be mindful of their ability to walk including their coordination and balance as well as how quickly they fatigue. Also monitor their speech and their moods, especially feeling depressed. It’s not easy to discuss these topics but it is important that you are informed of your loved one’s wishes. Find out their wishes regarding their will, power of attorney, and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Meet up with your friends, participate in hobbies and activity groups, and keep to your daily routine as much as possible. This is important for your mental health as well as helping you to feel more energised. Have someone you can talk openly and honestly with and who can support you.  This may be a friend or family member or a support group. Knowing that you are not alone and that someone else is in a similar situation can help. Also, you need to ensure your loved one has the right medical support and they will be entitled to assistance to ensure they are safe at home. If you feel your loved one needs extra help, speak to your GP and they will be able to guide you to further sources of assistance. How Live-in Care can help With the best will in the world, most people cannot spend all their time looking after their loved ones and keeping them company. If your loved one is struggling to look after themselves, you might consider live-in care as an alternative to residential care. Medical care Live-in care can help by providing specialist carers trained in supporting those living with Parkinson’s. Specialist carers can help with aspects of medical care such as keeping an eye on symptoms, administering medications, ensuring safety in the home and taking your loved one to appointments. Personal care Carers are also trained in providing personal care that helps your loved one maintain their dignity and sense of self-respect. They can help with general health and wellbeing by supporting your loved one in eating well and in taking appropriate exercise. Support with chores Your live-in carer can also take care of practical matters such as household chores, food preparation, collecting prescriptions, making appointments and much more. Companionship and emotional support In addition, a live-in carer can provide companionship and emotional support which will help your loved one stay healthy and happy. They can help your loved one attend social events and stay in touch with others, so they maintain close relationships and enjoy life more. Support independence Your live-in carer will ensure your loved one remains as independent as possible and can enjoy a fulfilling and meaningful life. How Mumby’s Live-in Care can help At Mumby’s, we specialise in providing live-in care, with a particular focus on the specialist support required in conditions such as Parkinson’s. Our professional and friendly staff are trained in the practical support of people with these conditions, including nutrition and exercise. In addition, they provide emotional support to help people living with Parkinson’s. If you need help supporting a loved one, speak to a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team today on freephone 0800 505

Much research has been conducted linking an unhealthy diet to a range of diseases. However, there have also been studies into the best diet for certain health conditions such as Parkinson’s. Good nutrition for Parkinson’s can support patients living with this condition and even slow the progress of the disease. In our previous article on nutrition for older adults, we discussed some issues that older people can have with nutrition and healthy eating. In this article, we will look at how diet can play a significant role in keeping patients living with Parkinson’s healthy. Research indicates that eating certain foods and making lifestyle changes can slow down the progression of diseases such as Parkinson’s as well as supporting general health. So, if you have a family member who has Parkinson’s, those caring for them must be aware of how to provide the best nutrition possible. What is Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition. This means that it causes problems in the brain and gets worse over time. Symptoms of Parkinson’s include tremor, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness as well as other symptoms such as problems with sleep and memory. Nutrition for Parkinson’s In general, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts and seeds and whole grains is advisable for patients with Parkinson’s, just as it is for the general population. However, some foods are particularly beneficial to those living with the disease. Antioxidants Antioxidants help regulate cellular activity and fight off free radicals that cause oxidative stress on your body. They may also reduce the “oxidative stress” that exacerbates Parkinson’s. You can get lots of antioxidants by eating: Omega-3s Omega 3s can help reduce the secondary symptoms of Parkinson’s such as dementia and confusion. Omega-3s are found naturally in some foods and are added to some. You can increase your intake of omega 3s by eating: Lifestyle changes that can help Parkinson’s symptoms Some simple lifestyle changes can make a real difference to Parkinson’s symptoms, too. These include: 1.  Staying hydrated Hydration is particularly important for people with Parkinson’s so you should aim to drink 6-8 glasses of water every day. 2.  Get outside every day If possible, you should get outside every day for fresh air and exercise and to help your body make vitamin D. 3.  Moderate alcohol intake People who experience balance impairment or unsteady gait should take particular care over alcohol consumption as it can make these problems worse. If you are unsure of what types of food, supplements, and exercise are suitable for you, talk to your GP. 4.  Maintain a healthy weight  Some patients with Parkinson’s disease find it hard to eat enough calories to maintain a healthy weight. This can be a side effect of Parkinson’s medication or it may be because of difficulty chewing and swallowing. Having healthy snacks between meals can really help increase calorie intake. Having three healthy meals plus snacks is a good idea. Try to eat every two to three hours if possible. You can also increase the amount of high-calorie foods in your meals and snacks. Try adding extra cream, butter, oil, mayonnaise or honey to foods. If chewing and swallowing is a problem, try softer food such as minced meats, mashed potatoes, casseroles, and soups. You could also replace some snacks with smoothies or milky drinks. While drinks can supplement a balanced diet, they’re not suitable as a replacement for a healthy diet. So, if you are relying on drinks to replace meals you should see your doctor or dietician. They will be able to advise on dietary changes that could help and/or prescribe high-calorie products that provide the right nutrition for Parkinson’s. How Mumby’s Live-in Care can help At Mumby’s, we are committed to doing everything we can to support our clients with whatever needs they have. We specialise in working with people living with Parkinson’s and make every endeavour to stay up to date with the latest research on how to support people with this condition. All our staff are trained in how to support patients with Parkinson’s both physically and emotionally help them live life to the full. If you need help supporting a loved one, speak to a member of our team today on freephone 0800 505 3511 or email info@mumbys.com to find out how we can assist you with your Parkinson’s care at home needs. References Parkinsons.org.uk Useful Links Parkinson’s Care at Home What is Parkinson’s disease and how can I care for someone with the condition Tips for Parkinson’s Care Nutrition for the Elderly – Eating Well as we Age Live-in Care – How it Works

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, and from the 10th to the 16th of April, Parkinson’s Awareness Week is observed worldwide. This is an important opportunity to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic condition that affects the nervous system and results in the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Parkinson’s disease is a complex condition that affects each person differently. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms that don’t significantly impact their daily lives, while others may experience debilitating symptoms that make it difficult to carry out simple tasks. In this article, we’ll explore what causes Parkinson’s disease, the stages of Parkinson’s, what advanced Parkinson’s is like, and how to care for a loved one with an advanced Parkinson’s prognosis. We will also discuss how Mumby’s Live-in Care can provide support for individuals with advanced Parkinson’s. What causes Parkinson’s disease? While the exact cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown. Researchers believe it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Studies have shown that individuals with a family history of Parkinson’s are more likely to develop the disease. Additionally, exposure to certain environmental toxins, such as pesticides, may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s disease occurs when dopamine-producing neurons in the brain die or become damaged. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the regulation of movement and emotional responses. When dopamine levels are low, individuals may experience tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. What are the stages of Parkinson’s? Parkinson’s disease progresses in stages, with each stage characterized by the severity of symptoms. The stages of Parkinson’s are as follows: What is advanced Parkinson’s like? An advanced Parkinson’s prognosis is the most severe stage of the disease, where individuals are unable to carry out basic daily activities. In advanced Parkinson’s, individuals may experience: Advanced Parkinson’s can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life, and they may require around-the-clock care. How to care for a loved one with an advanced Parkinson’s prognosis Caring for a loved one with an advanced Parkinson’s prognosis can be challenging. Individuals with an advanced Parkinson’s prognosis require specialised care to manage their symptoms and maintain their quality of life. Here are some tips on how to care for a loved one with an advanced Parkinson’s prognosis: How Mumby’s Live-in Care can support an advanced Parkinson’s prognosis Mumby’s Live-in Care is a professional caregiving service that provides personalised care for individuals with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Here are some ways that Mumby’s Live-in Care can support an advanced Parkinson’s prognosis: Parkinson’s disease is a complex condition that affects each individual differently. Advanced Parkinson’s disease is the most severe stage of the disease, requiring specialised care to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life. Caregivers can provide essential support for individuals with advanced Parkinson’s disease, including assistance with daily activities, medication management, exercise and physical therapy, and emotional support. Mumby’s Live-in Care provides professional caregiving services that are tailored to the unique needs of individuals with advanced Parkinson’s disease, helping to improve their quality of life and provide peace of mind for their loved ones. As we observe Parkinson’s Awareness Month and Parkinson’s Awareness Week, let us continue to raise awareness about this debilitating disease and work towards finding a cure. More useful links Tips for Parkinson’s Care Nutrition for Parkinson’s – how a healthy diet can help Mumby’s Parkinson’s Care at Home