Home Helpers

Parkinson’s Disease: It’s More Than Tremors

While celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox and Janet Reno have helped to increase name recognition of Parkinson's Disease, there remains a general lack of understanding about this neurological disorder in terms of functional aspects and caregiving considerations. "With an increasing number of our clients having Parkinson's, and with April being National Parkinson's Awareness Month, this article is dedicated to helping people gain insight about this chronic and progressive illness," said Vicki Crow, Owner Home Helpers - Northern Lehigh Valley.

Parkinson's is a disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting the nerve cells in the brain that send signals to initiate and control movement. With Parkinson's, the progression of the disease varies by person and the symptoms can occur frequently or infrequently and may be severe or mild.

In addition to trembling which is often noticeable in the hands, arms, legs and face, other lesser known signs and symptoms of Parkinson's, many of which are more common in the later stages of the disease, may include:

• Stiffness or rigidity of muscles in the limbs and neck.

• Lack of usual arm swing when walking.
• Slowness of movement or freezing when attempting to move.
• Unsteadiness and impaired balance and coordination.
• Lack of natural facial expressions, blinking of the eyes and eye contact.
• Changes in speech including monotone and mumbling, and trouble swallowing.
• Stooped posture that may appear similar to Osteoporosis.

When Parkinson's impacts a person, in addition to emotional support, care needs increase over time as do safety concerns. Initially, people may feel conspicuous and self-conscious in public because they cannot control tremors. In addition, fine motors skills associated with daily living activities, including eating, drinking, dressing, bathing and writing can present challenges and frustrations. As symptoms worsen over time, the need for caregiving assistance increases to address safety concerns and provide support with independent living and personal care activities.

As with any life-changing illness, relationships with a spouse and adult children often become strained. "Whenever possible, we encourage families to discuss their preferences, values and limitations," Vicki Crow added. "Many families would prefer to focus their time on the relationship and offering emotional support and have us provide assistance with the day-to-day living activities. At Home Helpers, we are committed to helping make life easier for our clients and their families by helping them live life to the fullest."

The Stages of Parkinson's Disease

The five stages of Parkinson's disease can help people have an idea of what to expect over time. Please note, the signs, symptoms, care needs and duration of each stage can vary from person to person.