Understanding Parkinson’s: What Families Should Know
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time dedicated to learning about a condition that affects millions of people and their families. Whether you’re navigating a new diagnosis or simply want to understand more, below is a simple introduction.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease is the second most diagnosed neurodegenerative condition behind Alzheimer’s, and nearly 10 million people worldwide are living with it today. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain’s ability to control movement. When the brain doesn’t produce enough dopamine, the messages it sends through the nervous system to the muscles become disrupted. This leads to tremors, slowed movement, muscle stiffness, and difficulty with balance and walking. Beyond movement, Parkinson’s can also affect mood, sleep, and cognitive function over time.
What Does Living with Parkinson’s Look Like?
Every person’s experience with Parkinson’s is different. Symptoms usually progress slowly, and can span a wide range from motor challenges like balance, strength, posture, and gait, to non-motor experiences like changes in cognitive function, depression, sleep quality, and fatigue.
The Role of Exercise
Research shows that consistent exercise of at least 2.5 hours per week can help slow symptom progression and improve both physical and emotional wellbeing. Physical activity has been shown to improve many Parkinson’s symptoms, including balance issues, mobility issues, cognitive function, depression, and may have a protective effect on the brain. Additionally, People who start exercising earlier in their diagnosis experience a significantly slower decline in quality of life than those who start later.
Many forms of movement and exercise are beneficial. Walking, stretching, balance work, group fitness, and even dancing offer valuable benefits. What matters most is finding something enjoyable and doing it regularly.
How Care Communities Can Help
For families considering senior living for a loved one with Parkinson’s, the right community can make a meaningful difference. Access to on-site therapy and rehabilitation, trained staff, engaging programming, and a safe environment for movement can help someone with Parkinson’s continue to thrive and maintain as much independence as possible..
At Dallas Retirement Village, we offer a full continuum of care including assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing and rehabilitation all on one campus. If you’re exploring care options for a loved one or want to talk through what support might look like, we’re always here when you’re ready to start a conversation. Contact us to schedule a tour or learn more.
Dallas Retirement Village has joined the Parkinson’s Champions to raise funds and awareness for the Parkinson’s Foundation—you can donate to make a difference!
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people living with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. The funds we raise will help:
- Provide life-changing support to people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers
- Fund game-changing research on treatment and care
- Convene the best minds from every corner of the global Parkinson’s community to find new approaches that enhance care and move us closer to a cure.
Every dollar counts, thank you for your support!
Donation Link: https://nclvm.com/gtnum