Parkinson’s is a devastating disease in which the amount of dopamine in a person’s body is reduced, thereby causing messages from the brain to be incorrectly interpreted by the body. The average age of onset is in the mid-seventies. Both men and women are affected, but more men than women have this disease, with men of Ashkenazi descent being the most likely group to have it. Some forms of Parkinson’s are inherited or have a genetic component; others seem to be random.
Initial symptoms may include any of the following symptoms: tremors, shuffling gait, “freezing,” loss of balance, muscle spasms, swallowing disorder, drooling, chronic constipation, memory deficit, speech deficit, and cognitive disorders.
There is also a neuro-psychological component that about 50% of those who suffer from Parkinson’s experience, which can manifest as hallucinations or delusions. Hallucinations can be visual or auditory. Examples would be seeing insects or mice crawling all over; seeing people with grotesque, monster-like features; or hearing voices or sounds. These patients may require psychiatric intervention and/or hospitalization to manage their symptoms.
Medication can lessen the severity of some of Parkinson’s symptoms but overmedication can easily occur when many doctors are involved in a patient’s care. Unfortunately, there is no cure at this time.
Patient education is often lacking. There is a need for increased awareness and education for both patients and their caregivers. With life expectancy longer today, more people are reaching the average age of onset, there will certainly be an increase in Parkinson’s patients. More people, both professional and family, will be needed to care for them. Education will be essential to develop an awareness of what the patient is experiencing. For example, when a patient suddenly “freezes” while walking, it is not helpful to pull or push the person. This can result in the patient falling. Rather, encouraging him to repeat aloud, “left foot, right foot,” etc. can be more helpful.
A person’s dignity can be enhanced by offering choices and encouraging him to engage in simple activities related to daily living. Visitors are a welcome distraction and go a long way in elevating a patient’s mood. A caregiver who can offer words of encouragement and a smile instead of commands, will see a better response from the patient. Patients with Parkinson’s are generally not mentally incapacitated and should be spoken to as adults in a normal tone of voice since most have normal hearing. If patients make a suggestion regarding their care, a wise caretaker should listen since the patients know their own bodies the best.
It is important to remember that those struggling with Parkinson’s disease are still people. While they may lose some ability to function as the disease progresses, it is very important for them to maintain their dignity and feeling of self-worth.
Mr. Brucker suffers from Parkinson’s disease and resides at Sterling Care. His background as a former nurse gives him a unique perspective on his condition.
