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Five things you should know about Parkinson’s (but probably don’t)

Posted onPosted on 6th Apr

Next Tuesday, 11th April, is World Parkinson’s Awareness Day. Local care business owner, Sarah Massey, has put together a guide about the disease to help sufferers and their families.

Sarah Massey, owner and registered manager at care provider Caremark (Mansfield) is on a mission to educate and reassure sufferers and their families that life, whilst a little different, can go on being enjoyable and rewarding.

“At Caremark,” says Sarah, “we believe that raising awareness and changing attitudes is the key to living with the disease. Did you know…”

1) Parkinson’s doesn’t just affect older people
Parkinson’s is a disease that affects the brain. It’s known as a degenerative neurological condition, meaning that symptoms get worse over time. Whilst it tends to affect people from middle age onwards, Parkinson’s disease has in fact been known to affect all ages.

People with Parkinson’s have a deficiency of a chemical called Dopamine. This is caused by the loss of important nerve cells in the brain which produce the chemical. Dopamine is used by the brain to send messages that help control movement: anything from walking and talking, to writing and even smiling. Eventually, as Dopamine levels decline, the brain can no longer control movement properly and that is when the symptoms of Parkinson’s can appear.

2) You’ve had Parkinson’s a while by the time you show symptoms
Symptoms of Parkinson’s don’t appear until Dopamine levels in the brain have dropped below a certain level. This means that brain cells have already been lost and have ceased to function properly for months or years before the symptoms eventually start to develop.

Just as everyone’s brain is totally unique, the types and severity of symptoms that people experience with Parkinson’s is totally unique to each individual. However, some are more common than others and knowing what to look out for is not only sensible but can make a big difference to quality of life in the future. Getting a diagnosis and starting medication as soon as possible is key.

Probably the most well-known symptom is tremors. They usually start on one side of the body but can spread to both sides over time. The trembling tends be most obvious in hands and arms but can be visible on the jaw and feet. Other common symptoms include non-responsive digits, muscle stiffness which can affect facial expressions, joint rigidity, loss of balance and loss of sense of smell.

In the early stages of the disease, these symptoms are gradual and develop slowly. However, if you start to notice them in yourself or a loved one, it’s important that you consider Parkinson’s as a possibility and seek medical advice as soon as possible. Visit your GP and explain your symptoms and tell them you think it could be Parkinson’s. You will likely be referred to a specialist who will be called a Neurologist or a Geriatrician.

3) You don’t need to go into a care home
There’s no reason why people with Parkinson’s can’t stay at home. Most people are able to do so and continue living their lives with as much normality as before with a combination of medication and pills to help control the symptoms in its earlier stages.

As the disease progresses and symptoms become more varied and severe, sufferers may require the help of a carer to assist with things like dressing and bathing. Eventually, full-time care may be necessary to help with everyday activities, meal preparations and mobility. However, this still doesn’t mean that the only option is a care home. At this point, a live-in carer can provide a solution.

Hospital visits may be needed from time to time but there is no reason why you can’t live as independently as possible in your own home. Parkinson’s is a fairly slow progressing illness and there may well be years between diagnosis and needing a substantial package of care.

4) What will ‘normal’ life look like?

Initially, normal life will look very much like your normal life now. This is a slow progressing illness and by adapting to your symptoms as they develop, changes in lifestyle will be less daunting than you think. The things you will notice more at first are the smaller things like your handwriting becoming messy or having to fill your drinks glasses slightly less so as not to spill liquids if you shake a little. These are things you will notice but most others around you won’t. Essentially, you will still be able to enjoy most of the things you enjoy now but may just require more help to do so.

As time goes by, everyday activities that were part of a normal routine such as washing and dressing will become more difficult and you will start to need support from family or carers. ‘Normal life’ will be an acceptance that housekeeping and domestic work may have to be left to others. Cooking and preparing meals will eventually be something that is not possible alone. Medication will become part of life and, for some people, it is critical that medication is taken at the correct specified time. This means that a little extra planning and a more regular routine may have to be developed over time.

None of this means that you can’t still be active, social and involved in the things that you love. Carers or live-in companions can help you to maintain as much independence and dignity as possible so that you can continue to enjoy life.

5) Exercise can change your lifewww.caremark.co.uk/mansfield