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.
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.
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.
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.
© 2021 Hospice. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy
Created with Love.
Corporate Headquarters
30101 Agoura Court, STE 234, Agoura Hills CA 91301 | (800) 443-5050 | Fax (805) 870-0335
Beverly Hills | Malibu | Pacific Palisades | Westlake Village | Agoura Hills | Calabasas | Brentwood | Holmby Hills | Bel Air | Hidden Hills | Bel Air Crest | Hollywood | Burbank
Diamond Bar | Arcadia | Cerritos | Claremont | Commerce | El Segundo | Gardena | Glendale Glendora | Hermosa Beach | Long Beach | Los Angeles | Norwalk
Lancaster | Pasadena | West Covina | Santa Clarita | Torrance | West Hollywood