When a loved one has Parkinson’s disease, it can be difficult to manage the symptoms. Some medications help control the movement and tremors associated with the condition. However, you may notice your loved one struggling with other signs of Parkinson’s that are harder to treat. One of these is loss of appetite, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies. Here’s some advice on how to handle this problem and keep your loved one as healthy as possible while they live in memory care communities in Corrales, NM.
Management of Symptoms
You may have heard there’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but this isn’t true. In fact, the progression of symptoms can be slowed and managed with proper nutritional management. In addition to being a dietary consideration, doctors recommend that patients with Parkinson’s drink plenty of water and engage in physical exercise as part of their treatment plan.
Furthermore, it’s important to keep a symptom diary, to track what foods make your loved one feel better or worse. Your doctor will want to see this information when you visit them for an appointment! As you learn what works best for your loved one during each stage of Parkinson’s disease, try new approaches until you find the right combination of nutrition and lifestyle changes, together with medication that works best at any given time.
Loss of Appetite
Problems with appetite, or loss of appetite, are common in Parkinson’s disease. Patients with Parkinson’s may experience changes in their sense of smell, affecting their appetite and food preferences. They may have difficulty chewing, due to tremors or stiffness in their jaw muscles. In addition, patients may lose interest in food entirely because they no longer feel hungry due to the medications they’re taking to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Sometimes your loved one may lose interest in eating because they’re depressed and anxious about living in an assisted-living community or memory care facility. Depression is ubiquitous among people who suffer from a chronic illness such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, and it can lead to significant weight loss and malnutrition if not treated correctly! If your loved one has lost weight and looks underweight or malnourished, they should be evaluated by a physician immediately. Otherwise, their quality of life could suffer greatly, and they could experience more falls that are very dangerous.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Parkinson’s disease can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which cause health problems for your loved one and make it difficult for them to recover from a fall or accident. When Parkinson’s disease damages the brain and nervous system, it can cause decreased mobility and coordination, making it hard for your loved one to get around safely. This increases their risk of falling down stairs or tripping over things on the floor. A fall could result in serious injuries such as broken bones, or worse!
Signs that a loved one is experiencing a nutritional deficiency:
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss (usually combined with muscle atrophy)
- Dry mouth/thirsty feelings
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
If you notice these symptoms, take your loved one to their room so staff members can check on them and evaluate their condition in private, away from other residents.
Swallowing Issues
Swallowing issues are common in people with Parkinson’s. According to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF), it’s estimated that 70 percent of people with Parkinson’s experience swallowing problems.
If your loved one has trouble swallowing, there are ways you can help them be safe when eating and drinking. You can also regularly check for signs they may be choking or gagging on food and water.
Here are some tips for helping your loved one eat safely:
- Choose foods that are easy to swallow and chew, such as soft fruits and vegetables, yogurt, ice cream, pudding, or custard desserts with pieces of fruit mixed in. Try not to choose foods with small seeds or pits, as these can become stuck in the throat, causing a blockage and choking hazard if swallowed whole by mistake!
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s a lot of information to digest when caring for your loved one with Parkinson’s disease. We know how overwhelming it can be, but we also know it can be made accessible with the right tools and support. That’s why we’re here to help you get the care you need and ensure your loved one gets all the support they deserve during this difficult time in their lives.
