Senior Helpers of Richmond, Virginia (VA), Helps Seniors, Families Detect Parkinson’s Early

Leading in-home care provider promotes understanding around National Parkinson’s Awareness Month

April 2010 – It can start with a simple stumble, or a slight tremor in a hand or foot. What seems like a small misstep or an isolated incident for an elderly loved one could be a serious warning sign of Parkinson’s disease – and early detection is the key for effective treatment. April is National Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Ocean County, NJ, and across the country, and Senior Helpers, a national and local leading provider of in-home senior care, is helping families to better understand the disease and recognize some of its characteristic first subtle signs.

“More than a million elderly Americans are already living with Parkinson’s disease, and the lives of millions more have been affected,” said Todd Cornell, President of Senior Helpers of Richmond, Virginia. “When a close family member develops Parkinson’s, it often has a profound impact on the lives of those charged with caring for them. Recognizing the symptoms early is the key to managing Parkinson’s, coping with the disease, and helping loved ones maintaining a high quality of life.”

Quick Facts About Parkinson’s Disease:

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects motor skills, speech, mobility, and other functions.

Parkinson’s disease is almost exclusively a health threat for seniors, as the vast majority of cases occur in individuals over 65 years of age.

More than 1 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and experts predict that number to almost double within the next 20 years.

60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but treatment options are available if the disease is

recognized early

According to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinson's disease affects both men and women in almost equal numbers and shows no social, ethnic, economic, or geographic boundaries. Because the first stages are so subtle, it is often friends and family who notice initial changes in people who are eventually diagnosed. The earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s are commonly misinterpreted as typical signs of aging or indications of other common medical conditions – but when warning signs appear, quick action is a necessity.

Early Warning Signs for Families and Friends to Watch for:

Tremors or slight shaking of hands, feet, head, or limbs

Muscle rigidity or unusual stiffness Trouble with balance and unsure movement Muffled speech Uncharacteristic depression

“Lots of serious medical conditions facing seniors are difficult for individuals to recognize on their own, and Parkinson’s disease is no exception,” said Cornell. “Families with aging loved ones need to make sure seniors have the care and attention they deserve. With jobs, kids and other responsibilities, family members often don’t have the time to care for an elderly person as well. If the situation doesn’t allow for people to provide the kind of care and support seniors need on their own, professional caregivers may be the answer.”

Media Contact: Todd Cornell, (804) 741-7010, tcornell@seniorhelpers.com

For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://www.seniorhelpers.com/location/5103

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About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in Richmond, Virginia, and surrounding areas. We offer extensive in-home health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home health care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Richmond, VA, or the surrounding area, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references. In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones' continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you. For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/5103 .