If you’re a family caregiver for an aging loved one, you may know some of the most frequent symptoms of Parkinson’s. However, learning about some of the lesser-known symptoms of this neurodegenerative condition can also be helpful, ensuring the disease is detected early on. Here are five of the most commonly missed signs of Parkinson’s.
1. Impaired Sense of Taste & Smell
Parkinson’s disease occurs when the brain is no longer able to produce a chemical called dopamine. This chemical sends messages between the brain and various nerves and muscles, including the nerves controlling taste and smell. The inability to smell strong scents or taste favorite foods may be an early indicator of Parkinson’s and is often dismissed as being a nuisance rather than a cause for concern.
2. Changes in Handwriting
Parkinson’s disease is characterized by slow muscle movement. One of the first places this can show up is in a senior’s handwriting. Your loved one may take longer to write things than before, and his or her writing may appear cramped and difficult to read. As conditions such as arthritis can also cause this type of change in handwriting, this symptom is frequently overlooked.
Parkinson’s disease is a serious health concern that can impact the ability to perform daily tasks independently. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Livingston families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
3. Sleep Disorders
Though 40 percent of seniors with Parkinson’s experience sleep disorders as long as ten years before being diagnosed, many of these individuals misattribute their interrupted sleep to other conditions. The most common Parkinson’s-related sleep disorder involves acting out dreams during deep sleep or grinding teeth, yelling, or even kicking during sleep.
Seniors with Parkinson’s can live at home, but at some point, they’ll need the assistance of family members or professional caregivers. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Livingston seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
4. Excessive Sweating
Parkinson’s affects the autonomic nervous system, making it more difficult for the body to regulate temperature. As a result, seniors may find their skin becomes oilier or that they begin to sweat even when they’re not hot or anxious. Female seniors frequently overlook this symptom, confusing it for menopausal hot flashes.
5. Persistent Neck Pain
Pain, numbness, or tingling in the neck that doesn’t go away within a few days can be a warning sign of Parkinson’s, particularly among women. This pain is often dismissed as a persistent or recurring cramp, knot, or pulled muscle.
Parkinson’s disease can be particularly difficult to manage, and family caregivers can easily get overwhelmed. Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care for the help they need. We provide high-quality in-home care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care. Call us today to discuss how we can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one is being cared for with professionalism and compassion.
