In honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Eddy Senior Living is sharing vital information to help those with Parkinson’s disease get the correct care at the right time. Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with PD, have been living with the disease for some time, or you are caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s, it’s important to understand when additional care is needed to ensure safety, well-being, and quality of life.
When to Consider Assisted Living or Memory Care for Parkinson’s
While every individual is different, there are some common signs that PD has progressed to the point where you or your loved one may need more assistance than can be provided while living on your own or with a loved one.
Medication Mistakes
Medications for Parkinson’s Disease are complex, and more prescriptions are often added as a person ages. If you or your loved one are finding it difficult to remember to take all prescribed medications or have experienced drug interactions, our enriched housing, enhanced assisted living, and assisted living communities provide medication management to ensure proper dosing on a regular schedule, which helps to manage symptoms more effectively.
Weight Loss
Good nutrition and well-balanced meals are important for managing overall health and PD symptoms. In addition, mealtimes can impact medication schedules. For those experiencing noticeable weight loss – skipping, or forgetting meals, or finding it difficult to plan, shop for, and prepare meals – The Terrace Communities at Eddy Senior Living serve three well-balanced, nutritious, chef-prepared meals every day, and offer a variety of menu options.
Lapsing Hygiene
As Parkinson’s disease progresses, basic daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom, can become challenging. If you are struggling to properly take care of your personal hygiene, or you notice your loved one is look disheveled and ungroomed, The Terrace Communities at Eddy Senior Living offer assistance with dressing, bathing, and personal care.
Cognitive Decline
Some people with PD experience mild cognitive impairment, including disorganization, feelings of distraction, slowed memory and thinking. These symptoms can manifest as a messy or disorganized house. You may notice piles of unpaid bills or dirty laundry, or spoiled food in the refrigerator. For those finding it difficult to maintain a household, we offer no-maintenance apartments with housekeeping service at all of our enriched housing, enhanced assisted living, and assisted living communities.
Social Isolation
According to a recent study about pandemic-related isolation, feelings of loneliness and social isolation have been linked to a greater severity of PD symptoms and lower quality of life. For those who aren’t able to visit with friends and family regularly, our Terrace communities offer a variety of social, cultural, recreational, and educational activities, as well as plenty of opportunities to develop friendships with other residents.
Caregiver Burnout
Caring for someone with Parkinson’s disease can be physically and emotionally challenging. Caregiver burnout is a real concern, and often warrants the need for a care facility. If you are a caregiver and find that you simply cannot provide all the assistance your loved one needs, our assisted living communities offer both temporary respite care, as well as long-term solutions.
Quality Care for Parkinson’s Disease in Albany & the Adirondacks
When the time comes for you or your loved one to receive some extra assistance, we encourage you to tour several communities and ask questions to ensure the staff is comfortable caring for those with Parkinson’s.
At Eddy Senior Living, we’re proud to offer assisted living for people with Parkinson’s disease at our Terrace communities in Troy, East Greenbush, Slingerlands, Niskayuna and Queensbury NY, as well as specialized cognitive memory care in Cohoes, East Greenbush and, coming in Fall of 2022, Queensbury.
Each of our Terrace communities offer residents the assurance of personalized care in a warm, friendly setting, designed to evolve with the individual’s changing needs. Residents also enjoy all the comforts and lifestyle amenities that can be found in our independent senior living communities, including social activities, educational programming, fitness classes and cultural events.
For more information about Parkinson’s disease and our assisted living and memory care communities in Albany and the Adirondacks, please contact us online or give us a call at (518) 280-8385 to speak with a Senior Living Specialist.