Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60.
A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is life-changing. But breathe. There are solutions to make the road ahead easier for you or the loved one struggling with it. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60. The average age at onset is 60, so we prepare to deal with the effects of it at our Chattanooga Assisting Living Community.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, only one percent of individuals over 60 are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The reason why the diagnosis number is so low is there is no way to test for this disease.
One can improve the livelihood of a senior with Parkinson’s by choosing an assisted living community where they can receive specialized care. There are circumstances in which assisted living in a community would be better, according to the website seniorliving. org.
These include:
- The senior is unable to afford in-home nursing care, as Medicare only covers in-home care if the person requires extensively skilled care and is homebound.
- They do not have someone able to serve as a caregiver in the home on a daily basis.
- The patient’s condition has advanced so that they require round-the-clock nursing.
- The home is not handicap-accessible, i.e., it should be a one-level home with handrails, bathroom accommodations, etc.
“For seniors who have any of these issues, they will likely need to find a senior housing community. An independent retirement community will not provide the level of care needed for a patient with Parkinson’s disease. More likely the senior will need to move into an assisted living community,” the website states.
“In an assisted living community, seniors receive help with daily needs, such as preparing meals and going to the doctor. There is someone on site 24/7 for emergencies and homes are equipped with emergency call buttons… For someone with Parkinson’s disease, they need increased accessibility. For instance, this can include increased access to group outings and social activities provided by the assisted living center.”
We invite those with Parkinson’s and their families to schedule a visit to Rosewood of Fort Oglethorpe to see what we offer at our assisted living community. Working together, we can improve the life of the person with Parkinson’s.
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