About half of all people with the disease develop Parkinson’s psychosis, which causes them to hallucinate and have delusions. There’s no definite cause of Parkinson’s psychosis, but it may have something to do with chemicals in the brain, like dopamine and serotonin. In fact, some scientists believe that it could be a side effect caused by treatment with dopamine drugs. Others, though, think it’s just a natural outcome of the disease that occurs in some people regardless of whether they use dopamine drugs.
Parkinson’s can affect the muscles used in speech. It can make the older adult’s speech sound hoarse. Speech may also become very quiet and be difficult to hear. In addition, cognitive problems can affect the senior’s ability to communicate with others. If these changes occur in your aging relative, working with a speech therapist may help them to communicate better.
It’s not uncommon for people with Parkinson’s to experience depression and other emotional problems, like anxiety and a lack of motivation. These problems can occur even in the early stages. Emotional issues are treatable with medications and counseling, so if your older family member seems depressed, talk to the doctor.
Your aging relative may wake up frequently during the night, affecting their quality of sleep. They may also wake up very early in the morning or feel sleepy during the day. Some people with Parkinson’s also develop a sleep disorder that causes them to act out their dreams while they are sleeping.
The older adult may experience fatigue, which causes them to feel extremely tired even after resting. It can make staying involved with friends and family and completing daily tasks difficult.
Home care can help your elderly loved one to overcome some of the complications of Parkinson’s disease. A home care provider can assist with household duties when the senior is too tired to clean the house or cook a meal. Home care providers can also remind them when to take medications for the disease, depression, or to control sleep disorders. Home care providers can also keep seniors who suffer from Parkinson’s psychosis to stay safe when cognitive problems might cause them to make unsafe choices.
Co-Owner, First Choice Senior Care
Kayla Stephens is the co-owner of First Choice Senior Care. She grew up in Northeast Arkansas, and has worked in rehabilitation, hospice care, managed nursing homes and a large home care agency. She has received several awards for sales and quality achievements in hospice and long-term care.
Kayla believes in advocating for and educating seniors and their families on a variety of topics and issues that impact them. Reflecting on the need for an independent home care provider interested in quality over quantity, she chased her dream of building her own company that would make a significant difference in the lives of seniors, providing a much-needed service in her own local community.
Kayla holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arkansas State University, is licensed by the state of Arkansas as a Long-Term Care Administrator, and is a Certified Senior Adviser.
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