Parkinson’s Disease: Get the Facts from Aunt Ann’s Home Care

According to the National Parkinson Foundation, after Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Yet while so many continue to suffer, most Americans remain uninformed about the disease and the many people it touches, often associating Parkinson’s only with celebrities who live openly with the disease (Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali, to name a few).

Quick Facts About Parkinson’s:

• The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation reports that as many as one million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
• The risk for Parkinson’s increases with age, but an estimated 15 percent of patients are diagnosed with the disease before the age of 50.
• The four major symptoms of Parkinson’s are not a normal part of aging – those displaying symptoms should consult a physician immediately for proper diagnosis.
  1. Rest tremor of a limb (shaking with the limb at rest)
  2. Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
  3. Rigidity (stiffness, increased resistance to passive movement) of the limbs or trunk
  4. Poor balance (postural instability)

How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?
There are currently no blood or laboratory tests proven to help in diagnosing Parkinson’s; therefore, diagnosis is usually based on medical history and a neurological examination. The disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately. Doctors sometimes request brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases.

Is there treatment?
At present, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, but a variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms. In some cases, surgery may be appropriate if the disease doesn’t respond to drugs.

If you are looking for more information on caring for a person with Parkinson’s disease, click to view our downloadable resource sheet.

Aunt Ann’s Home Care team in the San Francisco Bay area can provide excellent in-home care for your loved one with Parkinson’s disease. Contact us today to learn more about how home care can benefit your loved one. San Francisco: 415.974.3530  Peninsula: 650.757.2000