Find Out About Parkinson’s Disease With Your Huntington Beach, CA Comfort Keepers® 

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a central nervous system disorder that is most common in seniors age 60 and older, and affects movement. If you or one of your loved ones has PD, you are probably very familiar with the motor symptoms associated with the disease, such as tremors or trouble with balance. What you may be less familiar with, are non-motor symptoms, such as anxiety, vision problems and dizziness, and hallucinations and delusions. 

While there is currently no reliable way to determine which people with PD will experience hallucinations or delusions, it is estimated to be around 50% of patients. 

Give us a call at (714) 646-6091 to learn more!

Hallucinations And Delusions: What Is Happening?

Currently, the exact cause of PD hallucinations and delusions is unknown, but there are theories. One states that the hallucinations and delusions could be a side effect of certain dopamine therapies, while another supposes that it is simply a natural progression of PD. Risk factors include:

• Certain medications that increase dopamine levels 
• Duration and severity of Parkinson’s 
• Getting older 

Healthcare providers may refer to these hallucinations or delusions as Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis, or PDP.

Are There Signs To Be Aware Of?

Here are a few of the signs that a person with PD is experiencing hallucinations or delusions that you and your loved one should be aware:

Signs that a loved one may be experiencing hallucinations can include: seeing, smelling, tasting, hearing, or feeling things that are not really there. 

Signs that a loved one may be experiencing delusions can include: 

• Thinking someone is trying to steal from, harm, or deceive them
• Believing their loved one is being unfaithful
• Thinking a TV show or song is talking directly to them

It is extremely important to pay attention to any warning signs that your loved one may be experiencing PD related hallucinations or delusions as they can increase in severity over time. 

Always be sure to consult your loved one’s PD specialist if you believe they are experiencing hallucinations or delusions.

How Personal Care From Comfort Keepers® Can Make The Difference

Although we may not always want to ask for help, the fact is sometimes we need a little. This is where you friendly, local Comfort Keepers® can step in! Our caregivers offer more than just the crucial in home care that people with PD may need, they offer Interactive Caregiving™.

Interactive Caregiving™ is our in home care philosophy that states that seniors are happiest and healthiest when they are fully supported mentally, physically, and socially. What this means for the seniors we care for is that we want to assist them in living their best life. We encourage seniors to take an active role in their care and work with their caregiver to create meal plans, exercise programs, and much more that they can look forward to and enjoy. 

We want your loved ones to do all of the things they enjoy doing. Whether this means trying new recipes, spending time with friends and family, or simply sharing their wisdom with a friendly ear, our caregivers will provide them with as much, or little, assistance as they need. Our goal is always to provide support for your senior, without making them feel as though they’ve lost their independence. Let us get started helping your loved one enjoy their golden years to the fullest.

If you’d like to learn more about how Comfort Keepers® can provide the best care for you or your loved one with Parkinson’s Disease, our full list of in home care services available in Huntington Beach, or if you’d like to schedule your free in home consultation, please contact us online any time or call us at (714) 646-6091.

Resources For People With Parkinson’s Disease

• National Parkinson’s Foundation: Improves the lives of people with Parkinson’s by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. They build on the energy, experience, and passion of their global Parkinson’s community.
• American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA): The American Parkinson’s Disease Association is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease and works tirelessly to help the approximately one million people with Parkinson’s to live life to the fullest. 
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research: The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today. 
• Davis Phinney Foundation For Parkinson’s: This foundation provides essential information, practical tools, and inspiration to people living with Parkinson’s and funds early phase, innovative research that focuses on exercise, speech, movement, and other factors that affect quality of life. Their goal is to help people with Parkinson’s live well today.