Top 5 Tools to Make Life Easier for Seniors with Parkinson’s
By Home Care Assistance Des Moines 8 am on
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, its symptoms, such as slow movements and tremors, can make daily life more challenging. However, there are many popular assistance tools available that can ease the difficulty of performing day-to-day tasks. Such tools can reduce frustration for the senior loved one in your life and restore a sense of control and independence in the face of this challenging condition. The following are five of the most useful tools you can provide for your loved one with Parkinson’s.
1. Stability Aids
Family caregivers for seniors with Parkinson’s disease can make their loved ones’ homes safer and more accessible with a few simple stability aids. Grab bars placed over bathtubs or in showers and side rails installed on beds make physical transfers easier while enabling seniors with Parkinson’s to maintain their balance. Risers on toilets combined with grab rails on the sides of the commodes help aging adults sit and stand without fear of falling. Skid-proof mats in bathtubs and shower stalls also increase personal safety. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leadingelder careagency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
2. Grooming Tools
The uncontrollable shaking, tremors, and other spastic muscle movements associated with Parkinson’s often make daily grooming difficult. However, grooming can be made easier for aging adults who have diminished fine motor skills and reduced dexterity. If your loved one experiences fatigue while grooming, the tasks can be accomplished while seated close to the sink. Mirrors and mounted hair dryers installed at eye level or lower are also useful for easy grooming. Dental health issues are also a common concern for seniors with Parkinson’s, as many symptoms associated with the disease, including tremors, can cause oral hygiene habits to fall by the wayside. An electric toothbrush is the perfect tool to achieve a fluid brushing motion.
3. Dressing Assistance
Clothing with zippers or Velcro closures ease dressing and undressing for seniors with Parkinson’s. Likewise, shoes with elastic shoestrings or Velcro closures reduce the stress of putting on and removing shoes. There are also specialized hooks available for zipping and unzipping zippers. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of homecare Des Moines, IA, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
4. Kitchen Devices
In the kitchen, meal preparation becomes easier and safer when older adults use any number of helpful gadgets. Electric can openers, knives, blenders, and food processors merely require pushing a button. In addition, cabinet doors are easier for seniors with Parkinson’s to open and close when they’re equipped with handles rather than knobs.
5. Eating & Drinking Aids
The tremors and shakes that accompany Parkinson’s often make it difficult to carry cups, mugs, and dishes from one location to another without spilling the contents. Beverage containers equipped with lids and straws can prevent mishaps, and rimmed plates can keep food from sliding off plates. Curved and enlarged handles on cutlery enable seniors with Parkinson’s to feed themselves without assistance. These tools can enable your loved one to maintain some measure of independence as he or she lives with the symptoms of Parkinson’s.Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Des Moines, IA, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver. If you need professional home care for your loved one, Home Care Assistance is just a phone call away. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at (515) 264-2438.
