How Can Parkinson’s Disease Patients Benefit from Los Angeles Hospice Care?

Los Angeles hospice care providers see Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects a person’s movement and muscles. It starts to develop gradually and can even begin with a barely noticeable tremor in your hand. Although hand tremors are most commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease, the disease can also cause a hospice patient to experience muscle stiffness, jerking, and slowing movement. It is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system and damages the nerves the brain uses to send signals to the muscles. In Parkinson’s disease, there is also a loss of dopamine which affects brain activity, and the symptoms only worsen over time. Although the disease is chronic and cannot be cured, the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be managed effectively with medications and palliative care.

Benefits of Palliative Care for Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Help with Diet and Nutrition

As the disease progresses, the patient or the patient’s family will have to make decisions about nutrition and feeding tubes. This can be a challenging topic to discuss, but a palliative care professional can help guide the patient and their family regarding possible options. A social worker that works with the patient’s palliative care team can help them cope with their health changes. The patient can even be put in touch with an expert who can explain the stages of the illness clearly and provide relief to them.

Management of Cognitive Decline

Cognitive decline is another Parkinson’s disease symptom that affects thinking and other brain functions. Patients can experience depression, unclear thinking, difficulties focusing, anxiety, and even dementia.

Therapeutic Assistance

There are a variety of treatments that can provide patients relief from the symptoms of the disease. A new type of therapy uses electrode implants in the brain that keep it stimulated and generate pulses. Parkinson’s disease patients can also benefit from occupational, physical, and speech therapists to better manage day-to-day life.