Tag Archive for: Charlotte Seniors

Tips to Avoid Common Parkinson’s Complications

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Many seniors with Parkinson’s disease receive the largest part of their care at home from loved ones. Comprehensive Home Care understands the unique concerns of those who care for seniors with Parkinson’s and want you to know you’re not alone! We can provide respite care to help you and your loved one during this difficult time.

It’s helpful to keep these Parkinson’s tips in mind:


Nutrition: A healthy diet helps reduce cell loss in a person with Parkinson’s disease. Consuming antioxidants, found in green tea, blueberries, broccoli, spinach, beans, and certain types of nuts, can fight against oxidative stress. 

Chewing and Swallowing: Those with Parkinson’s disease may have difficulty chewing and swallowing. So, each person caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s should learn the Heimlich maneuver to be prepared.

Preventing Falls: It’s also common to have trouble with balance, so walking may be difficult. It’s crucial to assess the home surroundings and make modifications to reduce the risk of falls. Installing items like customized toilet seats and grab bars where appropriate.

Anxiety and Depression: Reducing the risk for depression and anxiety is a crucial factor in the battle against Parkinson’s disease. Keep a close eye for signs of depression, and make sure he/she sees a doctor as soon as possible if signs are noticed.

Medications: Parkinson’s treatments may have a number of side effects, so be sure the doctor informs you of anticipated ones. Some types of medication may cause hallucinations or nightmares, for example.

We invite you to explore Comprehensive Home Care’s services to discover how respite care can lead to a better quality of life for both your loved one and the family members who are providing care. By partnering with our professional home care team to assist with some of the more routine aspects of caregiving, family members have the opportunity to spend more quality time together. Contact us at 704-333-5214 to learn more. 

Check out The 5 Stages of Parkinson’s Disease and How Home Care Can Help for more advice.

How to Recognize the Signs of Dementia

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As people age, the body starts to experience the signs of aging. Dementia is one of the many conditions you need to look out for in your aging loved one. Luckily there are certain signs of dementia you can look out for. These sings will be the first indicator that something is wrong. So, if you notice any of these symptoms in your loved one feel free to reach out to us to see how we can help.

A few of the signs of dementia include:


Memory loss

This is the most common symptom that falls under the dementia umbrella term. The issue with this is that it doesn’t happen all at once, and everyone has memory lapses from time to time no matter their age. So at first, it may be difficult to see when you or someone you know is experiencing true memory loss due to dementia. The real problem is when the memory loss worsens. Over time it will escalate and become more noticeable. When this sign is noticed, a visit to the doctor is required immediately. They will be able to help you figure out exactly what the underlying cause is, and if there is any way to stop or slow the memory loss.

Communication problems

Another common sign of dementia is communication problems. Word disassociation is very common amongst people who have dementia. In fact, it is often one of the first signs that something could be wrong. That being said, it can also be misinterpreted as everyone has the problem from time to time. Just like with memory loss, it is when the problem becomes frequent that you should start to think something is wrong. It is important to seek help as soon as you realize that the communication problems are a serious problem. There are several dementia-like symptoms that can be treated if caught early.

There are a few other signs, but these are the two most common. You might also notice the loss of the ability to focus or the ability to reason. No matter the cause or the sign, once noticed, it is important that you seek help. Comprehensive Home Care, experts in dementia care, can help you and your loved one. You don’t need to go through this alone, contact us here or call us at 704.333.5214.

Check out Activities for Your Loved One with Dementia to better be prepared if he/she is diagnosed.

How to Know If Your Loved One Is Suffering From Parkinson’s

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Parkinson’s is a concerning disease. It can cause many problems if not diagnosed in time. Fortunately, there are certain symptoms of this disease. If you keep an eye out for these symptoms, you may be able to catch it in the early stage and prevent it from progressing.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s include:


Frequent Muscle Spasms

One of the first signs of Parkinson’s disease is frequent muscle spasms. However, muscle spasms are not the only symptom. Patients are also known to suffer from involuntary movement of muscles. The most common muscle movement as a result of Parkinson’s is of the thumb and forefinger. Most patients rub their first finger and thumb. This is an unconscious movement. However, the muscle movement is not limited to this. There are many other unconscious muscle movements that patients suffer from.

Slow Responding Muscles

The muscle movement of Parkinson’s patients also suffers greatly. In most cases, the muscles get quite stiff. The patient may experience pain when moving their muscles. At times they may have a hard time gripping objects as well. Most patients even begin walking slowly due to this. Muscle reflexes also slow down substantially. If you notice such symptoms in a loved one, you should consult a doctor immediately. If ignored, it could cause further problems.

Deterioration of Sense of Smell

This is a rare symptom, but it is an indication of the Parkinson’s disease.  There are many patients who have reported the loss of the sense of smell. Even strong and irritating smells do not have any effect on them. Initially, they may not be able to smell mellow smells and only pungent smells may register. But later on, no smell is registered by the senses.

Maintaining Balance

Parkinson’s patients suffer from muscle spasms, but the most concerning problem is muscle coordination. Each muscle in the body works in coordination with the others so that the person can move. However, for Parkinson’s patients’, maintaining body balance becomes a challenge. They have a hard time standing up straight and in some cases, walking.

Comprehensive Home Care is here to help you and your loved one. We provide home care and respite care to Charlotte seniors. Contact us here or call us at 704.333.5214.

Check out Tips to Avoid Common Parkinson’s Complications to learn more.