Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s doesn’t mark the end of your loved one’s life or independence. We have extensive experience working with people affected by Parkinson’s and can provide life-changing care and support.
Parkinson’s is a disease that progressively damages the brain over the years, leading to symptoms such as tremors, slow movement, stiff muscles, memory problems and even sometimes a loss of sense of smell (anosmia).
There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease and most people begin to show symptoms in their 50s. The condition is caused by a loss of nerve cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This lowers dopamine levels in the brain which help regulate movement in the body.
The simple things are often the most important. Eating well, keeping up with friendships, getting out in the fresh air…we believe that quality of life comes from protecting those fundamental pillars of life. Often, specialist equipment (such as kitchen utensils) can help someone remain independent for longer, which has a direct and positive impact on their emotional wellbeing.
We listen to your concerns and observations about your loved one’s changes – both mental and physical. We also take advice from specialist medical professionals so that we can tailor our Parkinson’s care to the specific needs of the individual.
At Ashridge Home Care, our goal is to help your loved one to live each and every day to the fullest, despite having Parkinson’s. Here are some of the ways we can do that:
Our specialist and compassionate Parkinson’s care focuses on encouraging a positive mindset, adhering to established routines, and staying active.
We take the time to carefully consider and assess your loved one’s needs so we can provide the highest quality care.
The early stages of Parkinson’s can be difficult to diagnose. Simple things like the inability to get a good night’s sleep or not being able to remember things could just as easily be the result of getting older as a symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
However, if Parkinson’s is diagnosed, our focus is on building a strong relationship with the client and getting to know what makes them tick so that we can introduce small steps to improve their quality of life.
All of our carers are carefully selected and trained to ensure a consistently high quality. This is why it’s no surprise that we’ve been awarded Outstanding in Care by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), our precise attention to detail values each and every client.
Whilst we take a personal and tailored approach to care, we also use our knowledge and experience of the different stages of Parkinson’s to suggest ways in which we can help.
We work with family, nurses, and other professionals to ensure there is the right support plan in place, and that we have identified goals and outcomes to work towards.
Parkinson’s is a complex, progressive disease and can affect people in very different ways. People affected can display both motor symptoms and non-motor symptoms.
The motor symptoms are easier to monitor. A tremor, loss of balance, or freezing of the muscles often begins suddenly and can be distressing for the person affected. We help to rebuild the confidence of those in our care so they can overcome the practical challenges that these changes bring about.
The non-motor symptoms are less obvious, but can have a bigger impact, as they affect how a person feels and thinks.
These indicators will often emerge prior to the more physical symptoms. Understanding and recognising these allow us to provide both emotional and practical support from the outset.
We’re here to listen to your concerns and hear about the mental and physical changes you’ve observed. If you wish, we can liaise with your specialist medical professionals on your behalf. Please contact us if you need support. You don’t need to feel that you’re muddling through on your own.
Parkinson’s can affect people differently and at different speeds. To begin with, the majority of symptoms may be non-motor, such as memory loss, sleep problems, depression, anxiety and a loss of smell. These symptoms require minimal support but a carer can help provide reassurance and give confidence that your loved one is in safe hands and their symptoms can be managed.
As the condition progresses, you might find that motor symptoms such as tremors, loss of balance and muscle freezes happen more regularly. This can impact both speech and movement, making it sometimes a scary experience, especially when living alone. At this stage, you should definitely consider our live-in care service as your loved one can remain in the comfort of their own home with the peace of mind that a professional carer is there to support them.
At Ashridge Home Care, our carers are specially trained in a variety of different conditions, providing care and support for dementia, cerebral palsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis. If your loved one has recently experienced a stroke or requires rehabilitation care, we can support them in their recovery. We can also provide palliative care if they’ve been diagnosed with a terminal illness to help make their life comfortable and peaceful. If you’re the primary carer for a loved one, we can also provide respite care to give you a break when needed.
This site explains the different stages of Parkinson’s well.
https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons/stages#overview1
There’s lots of help and advice on this site.
https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/
The NHS pages provide simple explanations.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/parkinsons-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
“Our carer is so wonderful and we wouldn’t want to lose her – she has been excellent looking after my father, the dogs and the house while my mother has been in hospital.”
“I and indeed the whole family are most appreciative of your warmth and kindnesses.”
Choosing care is a huge decision and not something that you should take lightly. Some of these conversations can be tricky and it’s our job to make sure you feel as comfortable as possible.
We are more than happy to visit you and your family at home to discuss your situation and consider the options available to you.
If you’d like more information, simply fill in the below form and we’ll aim to get back to you within 24 hours.
