As a family caregiver, it is important that you know more about the warning signs of Parkinson’s disease. Did you know that millions of people around the world suffer from this disease? The symptoms that someone experiences early on in this disease might be unnoticeable. For this reason, many people don’t get diagnosed until the disease has progressed. Knowing more about the warning signs of this disease can help you to get your elderly loved one a diagnosis earlier on.
Shaking or Tremors
If your elderly loved one has Parkinson’s disease, they may have the shakes or tremors. You might notice that your elderly loved one twitches throughout the day. If this is something that you notice, it should be assessed by a doctor. Don’t let this symptom be ignored. It is often one of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Handwriting Changes
Is your elderly loved one all of a sudden writing much smaller than they used to? This could be a sign that they have Parkinson’s disease. Maybe they are even crowding their words together when they write. If you notice this symptom in your elderly loved one, mention it to their doctor.
Losing Sense of Smell
Another one of the early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease is losing the sense of smell. If your elderly loved one can’t smell flowers or food baking in the oven, this is something that should be mentioned to their doctor. While there could be different reasons they have lost their smell, it is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, so it shouldn’t be ignored.
Trouble Sleeping
Has your elderly loved one recently had trouble sleeping? Maybe they have sudden movements while laying down that make them fall off their bed. Your elderly loved one may also experience vivid dreams. These symptoms could signify they have Parkinson’s disease.
Issues with Movement
Does your elderly loved one’s legs or arms go stiff? Do they get pain in their hips or shoulders? These could both be symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. If these things are noticed by you, another family member, or your loved one’s caregivers, make sure to schedule your loved one a doctor’s appointment right away.
These are some of the warning signs of Parkinson’s disease that you should know about. If you recognize any of these symptoms in your elderly loved one, be sure they see their doctor about it as soon as possible.
Sources: https://www.parkinson.org/Understanding-Parkinsons/Statistics
https://www.parkinson.org/
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