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Parkinson’s disease solutions

Mar 20, 2024 | Neurocognitive disorders

Parkinson ‘s disease unfortunately affects a significant proportion of the population. Learning that you have Parkinson’s can be difficult to accept. This is the case, of course, for the person who has received the diagnosis, but also for those close to him or her, such as family and friends. Even though it’s an ordeal that everyone would have preferred to do without, there are ways of living with Parkinson ‘s disease.

To get all the help you need, there are two interesting options: living in a residence or receiving help at home? Both solutions are designed to improve quality of life, both for the person affected by Parkinson’s disease and for the caregivers in their immediate environment.

Understanding Parkinson’s disease

Even though we hear more and more about Parkinson’s disease, it can still be difficult to understand. So let’s try to demystify it together. After all, a better understanding often leads to better help!

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease. In other words, it is characterized by the progressive destruction of certain neurons in our brain. To be more precise, these destroyed neurons cause a reduction in dopamine. As a result, movement control is impaired. As a result, symptoms such as tremors, slowness of movement and rigidity appear progressively.

Understanding the causes of Parkinson’s

To this day, the exact causes of Parkinson’s disease remain unknown. Research into the disease continues, however, and tends to show that a combination of several factors may be involved in the development of Parkinson‘s.  

Here is a short list of the risk factors identified:

Although there are forms of the disease that can affect younger people, the likelihood of developing Parkinson’ s increases with age. People aged 60 and over are most at risk. So it’s best to remain vigilant for the onset of symptoms.

Diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease

Do you suspect that your elderly relative or loved one is suffering from Parkinson’s disease? If so, it’s important to encourage them to consult their doctor as soon as possible. Through a physical and neurological examination, the doctor will make a thorough assessment of the situation. If this is the case, he or she will be able to conclude that Parkinson’ s has been diagnosed. Considering that the signs are often discreet, it’s important to pay attention to them as soon as they appear.  

Recognizing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Even with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s, it’s important to understand that every situation is different. The presence of symptoms, their intensity and the progression of the disease will differ from one person to the next.  

Nevertheless, three main motor symptoms remain associated with Parkinson’s disease: 

  1. tremors, mainly at rest;

  2. stiffness during mobilization ;

  3. as well as slowness of movement (also known as bradykinesia).

The situation in Quebec

In Quebec alone, some 25,000 people suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Receiving such a diagnosis is a shock not only for the person concerned, but also for family, friends and other caregivers. In all, across Quebec, it is estimated that nearly 100,000 people are affected by the impact of this disease.  

According to Parkinson Québec, the average age of sufferers is 64, and the proportion increases with age. It is estimated that around 1% of the population aged 65 and over suffer from Parkinson‘s disease. This figure rises to 2% after the age of 70.  

Solutions to Parkinson’s disease: choosing to live in a retirement home

There’s no doubt that a Parkinson’s diagnosis comes with day-to-day impacts for seniors affected by this disease. To better cope with these challenges, choosing to live in a seniors’ residence may well be the best decision you can make!

The advantages of this solution

For a person with Parkinson’s, moving into a retirement home is a reassuring decision for both the person and their loved ones. As the disease progresses and symptoms worsen, the demands on caregivers increase. Even if the role of caregiver is indispensable, it is important not to fall into a situation of exhaustion. As we all know, it requires a great deal of time and energy. In short, when you want to help an elderly loved one, you mustn’t forget yourself. Even if your involvement with your loved one is more than honourable, asking for help is not a sign of weakness! On the contrary, it’s proof that you care about your health, and that of the person you’re caring for!

By choosing to live in a residence, an elderly person finds himself or herself in a secure environment. They can receive all the care they need on site, so they can continue to enjoy an optimal quality of life. The staff at specialized Parkinson’ s residences provide the necessary assistance to both independent and frail seniors. All this is done with respect and dignity. The medical team and professional caregivers in turn ensure that care is adapted and personalized to each individual’s specific needs.

How to prepare your search for a retirement home?

In order to choose the best residence for your elderly relative or the person you’re caring for, it’s best to be well prepared. To do this, it’s a good idea to draw up a list of the main questions to ask yourself when looking for a seniors’ residence. This is not a decision to be taken lightly. If an elderly person with Parkinson’ s disease is in a well-supported and stimulating living environment, the result is a better quality of life, as well as less stress for the person him/herself, but also for caregivers and family.

In short, it is important to select the right :

  • the person’s medical needs ;

  • preferences and tastes ;

  • the budget available for monthly rent ;

  • the various treatments offered on site ;

  • the range of services available at the residence; 

  • as well as availability at the time of your search.

Visavie is here to help. Our housing advisors are familiar with Parkinson’s disease solutions and, above all, with the various residences available in your area. They’ll be able to provide you with sound advice to guide you towards the residence best suited to your needs. We offer a personalized approach, accompanying you from start to finish.

Home care available for elderly Parkinson’s sufferers 

Staying at home as long as possible is a priority for many. Despite changes in Parkinson’s symptoms, one of the solutions to Parkinson’s disease is home help, enabling the elderly to continue living in the comfort of their own homes.

Get the support you need today

The benefits of home care for Parkinson’s disease

Thanks to a wide range of homecare services, many elderly people are able to remain in the comfort of their own homes for longer. They remain in an environment that enables them to preserve maximum autonomy, while continuing to evolve in a safe environment. So, even for a senior suffering from Parkinson’s disease, home care is a very attractive option.

As the disease progresses, the person’s needs will change over time. Certainly, the help of a family member or close friend acting as caregiver is a considerable asset. However, caregivers must not overestimate their abilities, and must allow themselves a little respite. That’s when home help comes in!

Professional caregivers know how to be there to support the elderly person suffering from the disease, as well as their loved ones. With all their physical and emotional needs, the presence of an attentive, caring professional caregiver is reassuring.

Home help is available for all daily activities:

  • help with meals ;

  • assistance with personal hygiene ;

  • HEALTH CARE;

  • mobility assistance ;

  • accompaniment and transport for outings and medical appointments;

  • and even more according to the person’s specific needs. 

To learn more about the different types of home care, we invite you to read this article on the subject. 

Surround yourself with the right people for an even better quality of life

At Visavie, we believe in the importance of home care. Our aim is to ensure that elderly people who wish to remain at home receive all the help they need. In this way, we want everyone to be able to live better with Parkinson’s disease.

Our approach to homecare services at Visavie is person-centered. Our goals are to :  

  • allow your elderly loved one to remain at home in complete safety;

  • provide you with assistance services tailored to your needs;

  • maintain the person’s autonomy as much as possible;

  • support him in all his day-to-day activities;

  • help you cope with the changes brought on by the disease as it progresses;

  • supporting the family and all caregivers;

  • and much more, depending on individual needs.

In short, if you or an elderly loved one are faced with Parkinson’s disease, don’t hesitate to seek help! Several resources are available to support you as a loved one, caregiver or person affected by the disease.  

At Visavie, our housing advisors will guide you towards the best options for you. Depending on your reality and needs, you’ll benefit from comprehensive, personalized support to help you learn to live better with Parkinson’s. Our professional caregivers offer attentive service with respect and dignity for the elderly. Whether moving into a private seniors’ residence or receiving home help, the important thing is to find the best solution to ensure a good quality of life and optimal well-being. There are so many options, don’t hesitate to discover them!

Ready to commit to personalized solutions for Parkinson’s disease? Contact us today to explore the best residences or the perfect options for in-home assistance for you or your loved one’s needs. Let’s plan a smooth transition, together!

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Also discover our related articles on the topic of Parkinson’s, to deepen your understanding and enrich your perspective:

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Our Ontario advisors

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