Cracking the Code of Parkinson's: Tailored Nursing Care for the Elderly

 

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects the nervous system and different parts of the body that is controlled by the nerves, mainly the motor systems. It is manifested with uncontrollable or unintentional movements like trembling or shaking and stiffness. The nerve cells in the substantia nigra (a part of the brain) marks a significant role in body movements. Degeneration of these cells turns down the production of dopamine, a hormone that coordinates with the muscle and nerve cells involved in body movement. This lack of dopamine maps the way to hallmark symptoms of Parkinson's

-          Disrupted balance

-          Tremor in arms, hands, legs, and jaw

-          Rigidity of limbs

-          Slow movements

-          Impaired coordination

Other symptoms include a gradual loss of spontaneous movement that results in reduced mental skill, reaction time, facial expressions, and change in voice. Movements like blinking, drooling, and swallowing are reduced, and posture changes with bending of knees, elbows, and hips are also observed in Parkinson’s.

Elders with Parkinson’s disease require personalized care from professionals. For elders who wish to be treated from home in order to maintain optimal physical functioning and manage complicated systems, comprehensive home skilled nursing care can be beneficial. 

Among the several health professionals caring for elders with Parkinson’s, nurses are the featured players and the first contact person for care. They help in ordinating with the health care team and improving the quality of life of seniors by catering evidence-based care plans.

Nursing care for the elderly with Parkinson’s encompasses delivering focused care, executing clinical assessments, and establishing positive relationships with the seniors and their families.

Perks of Home Nursing Care

●        Nurses conduct regular assessments of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and overall health to stay on track.

●        Periodically monitor the progression of the condition and symptom management.

●        Nurses are aware of the medicines, their side effects, and their interactions. They administer the prescribed medications on time thereby promoting adherence to treatment.

●        They coordinate with rehabilitation therapists to optimize the seniors’ mobility, strength, balance, and functionality.

●        They monitor and employ strategies to prevent age-related complications like falls, cognitive impairment, dysphagia, etc.

●        They help manage comorbid health conditions (like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease) effectively.

●        Nurses educate the families and seniors about the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s, tips on management, and the lifestyle modifications to be incorporated.

●        Nurses are not just professional care providers for seniors but develop a friendly relationship with them. They offer emotional support to them to deal with the effect of the condition.

●        They help in catching up with follow-up appointments with doctors and therapists.

Nursing Care Plans in Managing Parkinson’s

●        Enhancing mobility

Due to the degeneration of nerve cells related to movement, mobility is affected which in turn leads to physical immobility. The inability to move freely has an influence on the clinical domains of the disease, quality of life, and increased risk for falls.

Home-skilled nurses assess rigidity and observe their gait abnormalities to design a plan. They assist the seniors with techniques to initiate movement, improve physical mobility and reintroduce independency. Moving to the edge of the seat with arm support before getting up from the chair, concentrating on erect posture while walking, swinging arms while walking, and exercises like rocking legs from side to side are examples of strategies to improve mobility.

●        Managing swallowing disorders

Parkinson’s affects the muscles and nerves involved in swallowing leading to dysphagia, which in turn augments the risk for pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition. Nurses help in managing dysphagia by assessing the extent of the disorder, maintaining head position after feeding, advising the family to prepare soft, easy-to-chew foods, educating seniors about tongue position for easy swallowing, and encouraging them to practice swallowing exercises. Nurses are trained to administer tube feedings if advised by the physician.

●        Improving cognitive and sensory functions

Inability to pay attention or concentrate, memory issues, and mood swings are common in Parkinson’s. Nurses turn to non-judgmental approaches, empathy, dignity, and respect towards seniors to cope with the effects of the disease. They monitor the symptoms and coordinate with psychologists to manage such symptoms.

●        Improve communication

The impact of nerve cell degeneration and cognitive decline affects their speech and communication skills. They assist the seniors in the pronunciation of words, encourage them to start talking slowly, avoid non-verbal communication, creates a calm environment for them to talk without any rushing, and perform facial exercises. They help coordinate with a speech therapist to provide expert care for the seniors.

●        Averting injuries

The postural instability, rigidity, decreased functionality, and reaction time heats up the risk of injuries. Nurses help seniors with walking and performing activities of daily life with utmost attention and care. They teach them strategies like using wide arcs, preventing the crossing of legs while walking, maintaining an upright posture, and practicing stretching and range of motion exercises to prevent injuries.

●        Monitoring complications

Parkinson's being a neurological disorder can give rise to several complications. Nurses conduct periodical assessments to monitor changes in balance, muscle strength, and gait. They utilise evidence-based screening tools for assessment. They also look out for medication-related side effects to spot potential complications.

Bottom Line

Nurses can be valuable members in caring for seniors with Parkinson’s disease. Athulya’s home nursing care for the elderly endeavor to promote functional mobility, independence in performing daily tasks, adherence to medical treatment, prevent falls, educate the seniors and their families about the disease and self-care strategies to manage the condition, and support positive coping mechanisms. To know more about our home healthcare services visit our webpage Athulya Senior Care.