Parkinson's Disease and Assisted Living

Assisted Living seems to have embedded a common perception with many of us that it can only help seniors, or those with memory/dementia disorders. I think this is a natural assumption, since most of the marketing and advertising coming out of the assisted living industry is geared towards seniors, and is usually described in aging/senior terms, or in terms of Alzheimer's or memory care.

Parkinson's Disease, and questions pertaining to Parkinson's, is a common element to many questions and messages I receive - most often generated by a family member looking for help or care for a loved one who has Parkinson's disease. Usually, the family member is a senior, but there are cases with early onset Parkinson's where a younger individual may not be able to live on his/her own - thus needing ongoing, professional care in a long-term care environment.

Here are a few of the questions we have received from families or individuals asking about assisted living and Parkinson's Disease. One of the messages is from an individual asking about her sister, who has Parkinson's, and is only 49 years old - which helps to dispel the assumption, or myth that assisted living can only help seniors:

Parkinson's Disease:

Very basically, Parkinson's Disease is a "progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement." This disease develops gradually, and gets worse over time. There is no cure, but a number of different medications can treat the symptoms, and help to manage the disease. Some of the most notable symptoms include:

Tremors: This is one of the most common characteristics - and many times begins in the hands.
Slowed Motion: This is also called bradykinesia, and causes difficulty with voluntary movement.
Rigid Muscles
Impaired posture and balance
Speech Changes
Dementia
Loss of automatic movements

There are a number of suspected causes of Parkinson's Disease, including genetic factors as well as environmental. Changes will occur in the brains of people suffering from Parkinson's, including a lack of the chemical messenger in the brain called dopamine; norepinephrine levels (another chemical messenger in the brain); and the appearance of unusual protein lumps called Lewy Bodies (usually associated with Lewy Body Dementia).

We (Assisted Living Directory) don't want to go too far into the medical end of Parkinson's Disease - as we are not experts, and we are not doctors - so if you wish to read more about Parkinson's Disease from a reliable site, we recommend looking at the Mayo Clinic's description of Parkinson's Disease.

Our goal here is only to offer a basic synopsis, which will lead into how assisted living can help someone with Parkinson's Disease.

Assisted Living and Parkinson's:

At it's core, Assisted Living exists to help those who are having difficulty living on their own. Assisted Living offers help with day-to-day tasks such as dressing, bathing, housekeeping, medication management, cooking, round-the-clock emergency care, and a social/recreational environment. In addition, some facilities may offer physical therapy, hospice care, and advanced care for different disorders, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Many facilities also offer transportation to and from medical appointments, therapists or hospitals.

In those same terms, the core areas that Parkinson's patients need help with on a day-to-day basis are very similar: help with day-to-day activities, especially as symptoms get worse; dressing and bathing; avoiding falls (many assisted living facilities have handrails, and ramps); management of medication, physical therapy; help getting to and from doctors appointments and medical services (especially after driving a vehicle becomes impossible).

In addition to providing a viable, alternative living arrangement to someone with Parkinson's, assisted living, in turn, can provide substantial relief to those loved ones who have had so assume the role as caregiver.

Some Of The Important Questions To Ask When Considering An Assisted Living Facility:

Is the facility licensed?
Is the facility in good standing with the health department/state in terms of code or safety violations?
Are the staff adequately trained?
Is there access to physical therapy?
What are the costs of the facility, and do additional/specialized services and amenities incur an additional charge?
Is the facility equipped to handle residents with balance, orientation and memory difficulties?
Is the facility well respected, and receive favorable reviews?
How long has the facility been in operation?
Can the facility handle a progressive disease that will get worse over time?
Can the facility safely and responsibly administer, store, and record the medications you need to take?
Is there 24 hour care on-site care?
What personal care services are provided, such as bathing, dressing, shopping etc.?
Can the facility accommodate a special diet, if necessary?
What is the discharge policy (if there is one)?

Of course, these are only a few of the important considerations. Your personal preferences, such as your social and recreational needs will be considered, as well as location, and size of facility. This is not to mention the cost of the facility - which is something you will need to get in writing - including additional or "hidden" charges.

Assisted Living is here to stay, and the number of facilities, as well as people moving into them, is growing rapidly. The outdated perception that assisted living can only serve seniors, or people with memory disorders is becoming exactly that - outdated....a thing of the past. Facilities are becoming more and more sophisticated, with ever more amenities and services available. Anyone with Parkinson's, regardless of age, may eventually require ongoing, round-the-clock help that is unreasonable to expect from loved ones or family members. This is where assisted living can play a significant and meaningful role in the care, happiness, and well-being to those who need it.

References & Other Important Sites that Discuss Parkinson's Disease and Assisted Living:
I did do a basic search using the term "assisted living Parkinson's Disease" and a number of important and helpful sites came up. Here are just a few:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/parkinsons-disease/DS00295 - A reliable source for detailed information about Parkinson's Disease