How homecare can assist those with Parkinson’s

Home care is personalised support designed to help a person live safely and independently in the comfort of their own home, even while navigating a variety of conditions including Parkinson’s disease. In this blog post, we explore how home care in Romford can help those living with this progressive disease to maintain their independence and live a high-quality life while managing their symptoms.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in the brain that leads to a reduction of the chemical dopamine. Over the years, this part of the brain becomes progressively more damaged which affects how the body regulates movement. That’s why the main physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are slow movement, involuntary shaking of particular body parts, and stiff or inflexible muscles. These symptoms typically start to develop after the age of 50, though it’s possible to experience them earlier. It is a common condition, affecting approximately one in 500 people, with men more likely to experience it than women.

Living with Parkinson’s disease

Living with Parkinson’s disease brings a new set of challenges to everyday life. As the condition progresses, symptoms gradually worsen which can make it difficult to carry out daily tasks and activities without assistance. For example, stiff muscles or involuntary tremors can make it increasingly difficult to button clothing, prepare meals safely or drive to appointments. In addition, a person may experience psychological symptoms. These can include memory problems, sleeping problems and an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are ways to reduce symptoms and maintain a high quality of life for as long as possible.

What is home care?

Home care is personalised care designed to empower your independence by allowing you to remain living safely in the comfort of your own home despite any changing health needs. Our experienced carers can perform a variety of duties tailored towards a person’s specific needs and desires. Some examples include help with personal care such as washing and dressing, preparing nutritious meals, helping with household tasks such as cleaning and ironing, administering basic medication, accompanying you to appointments or outings and providing consistent companionship. 

How can home care help?

As we mentioned, living with Parkinson’s disease can significantly affect a person’s life and bring new challenges to everyday living. Fortunately, home care can support your independence and help you safely navigate symptoms of the condition.

To start with, our professional carer can assist you or your loved one with personal care activities such as dressing, washing or toileting. They can also help by preparing meals and doing the cleaning up afterwards. If memory problems are a concern, the presence of a consistent carer can ensure that you arrive at any doctor’s appointments on time or take any prescribed medication. In addition, having a consistent companion with whom you can enjoy a friendly chat over a cup of tea or go to events can help keep anxiety and depression at bay.

Get in touch 

If you are interested in discovering more about our home care services and how they can support you or your loved one living with Parkinson’s disease, please get in touch or call us on 0800 999 3447. We would be happy to provide more information or answer any of your questions.

Specialist care after a Stroke

We believe that everyone deserves to receive high-quality care that meets their unique needs. That’s why we offer specialist care in Romford. Our experienced team of carers is trained to provide care of a variety of complex care needs or specialist conditions, including care after a stroke. Read on to learn more about how our specialist care services can benefit you or your family during stroke recovery. 

What is specialist care? 

When it comes to care, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Our specialist care service is designed to support a person’s unique needs, desires, and requirements. We offer specialist care on either a short-term or long-term basis. For example, some people may require temporary specialised assistance when recovering from an accident while others may need long-term help to manage a chronic illness. Regardless of the length of time required, having complex needs should not prevent you from remaining in the place you feel most safe and comfortable: your home. 

Our specialist care team

Our team of carers can help with a range of specialist conditions, including dementia care, mental health challenges, paraplegia, and stroke recovery. Thanks to our wraparound service, we are able to coordinate with a wider healthcare team to establish continuity of care and ensure that the best standard of care is always provided. Finally, we provide double-handed care which means that two or more carers are always on hand to support you or your loved one on your journey to better health and wellbeing. 

Recovery after a stroke

 Experiencing a stroke can have a physical, psychological, and cognitive impact on a person. During the rehabilitation process, extra support may be necessary to help a person regain their independence and recover as quickly as possible. We encourage those we care for to actively participate in their rehabilitation process. With our specialist care service, our dedicated carers will work with you to set your recovery goals and support you on your healing journey. 

How can we provide support? 

Following a stroke, physical changes are to be expected. Many people may struggle with coordination, balance, and muscle weakness. Our carers can assist with physiotherapy by encouraging simple exercises around the home. They can also help with household tasks such as preparing meals, doing the ironing, and washing up. 

In addition, physical difficulties and visual problems may impair a person’s ability to drive or get around. Our carers are here to get you to wherever you need to be safely and on time – whether that be to appointments or social events. We can also help with personal care, such as going to the toilet or getting dressed, which may be difficult to do independently following a stroke. 

As well, our carers can provide emotional support and ultimately, promote overall well-being. Depression and anxiety are two common psychological problems people may experience after having a stroke. With the companionship of a carer, it’s possible to help ease the emotional distress that may follow, combat feelings of loneliness, and rediscover the joy of living. 

Get in touch If you are interested in learning more about the specialist care we can provide, please do not hesitate to get in touch or call us on 0800 999 3447. Our professional team would be more than happy to answer your questions or help you in any way we can.