Parkinson’s disease does more than create motor problems. One of the most prevalent effects of the disease is depression, and because this is an unseen thing, but rather an “emotional” problem. As a result of this, it is considered to be just a minor issue and therefore goes untreated.
We’ve learned through countless examples that this is very dangerous and that depression is something that needs to be addressed quickly. Luckily, this mental illness is very treatable in most situations. Research has pointed to three main methods of treatment that are highly effective: therapy, medication, and exercise. The problem when dealing with Parkinson’s is that all three of these become more difficult to administer, and thus it makes depression a lot harder to treat.
Now, consider the fact that depression is one of the major determinants of your quality of life. Do you have a loved one with Parkinson’s? If so, this is something that you need to acknowledge, especially if they are elderly and in need of care. If this is the case, you will need to take steps in order to ensure that despite their physical issues, they have a system of support in place that will address both physical and emotional factors and help them to stay as healthy and happy as possible during their senior years.
Care is the most important issue to address. You want your elderly loved one to have their physical needs met, you want them to be safe, and you want them to be comfortable. But, you can address mental and emotional needs at the same time by providing companionship. In-home care addresses both of these issues simultaneously. An in-home caregiver helps around the house, provides safety and protection, and can also become a great friend. If you have a parent or grandparent that lives with you, in-home care is ideal when you’re not around. You have a life outside the home; you go to work, have a social life, and just plain need to get out once in a while. When a small portion of the care for your family member is relieved, you are able to do the things you need to for yourself without ever having to sacrifice the love and attention that you give your family. This doesn’t take away from you and what you provide; it actually allows you to do it better. Providing care can easily become an around the clock job when someone has Parkinson’s, but having help takes that stress away from you and gives you the opportunity to provide better care and support when it’s your turn.
In other words, if you have a loved one with Parkinson’s, it becomes more responsible of you to not try to do everything on your own. Depression can become a huge issue, and with a caregiver, the three main treatment points become easier to administer. A good caregiver can drive them to appointments while you’re at work. They can remind them and help administer their medications. They can even walk them through simple exercise techniques that even someone with Parkinson’s can do. It’s not easy to be in this situation, but in-home care can make it a bit better for everyone.
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