Home Safety Tips for Parkinson's Sufferers from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

I know a man with Parkinson's who recently had a serious fall that resulted in a several day hospital stay. Having Parkinson's increases the risk of falling due to many factors. The following article lists ways you can help your loved one with Parkinson's reduce these risks. Many of these tips can be used for anyone with mobility and balance problems.

Safety Tips for Parkinson’s Disease

Physical Therapists Role in Stroke Care from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors

Author: Gia Patterson

What a Physical Therapist Does

A physical therapist treats a person to relieve pain, build up and restore muscle function, and maintain the best possible performance. The therapist does this by using physical means such as active and passive exercise, massage, heat, water, and electricity. Broadly speaking, a physical therapist:

· sets up the goals of treatment with patient and family
· shows how to use special equipment
· instructs in routine daily functions
· teaches safe ways to move
· sets up and teaches an exercise program

NOTE: The American Physical Therapy Association, often located in the state capital, can provide a list of licensed therapists.


What a Physical Therapist Determines

Depending on a person's physical condition, a therapist may work on range-of-motion exercises, correct body positions when resting, devices to help the person in your care, and other simple ways to improve daily functions. A physical therapist checks things that can affect a person's daily activities:

· the person's attitude toward his situation
· how well he can move his muscles and joints (range of motion)
· his ability to see, smell, hear, and feel
· what he can do on his own and what he needs to learn
· his equipment needs, now and in the future
· what can be improved in the home to make moving around safer and more comfortable
· who can and will help to give support

Range-of-Motion (ROM) Exercises

The purpose of range-of-motion exercises is to relieve pain, maintain normal body alignment (positions), help prevent skin swelling and breakdown, and promote bone formation. A ROM exercise program should be started before deformities develop. Here are some things to do when you are asked to help with exercises at home:

· Communicate what you are doing.
· Use the flats of both hands, not the fingertips, to hold a body part.
· Take each movement only as far as the joint will go into a comfortable stretch. (Mild discomfort is okay, but it should go away quickly.)
· Do each exercise 3 to 5 times.
· Use slow steady movements to help relax muscles and increase joint range.
· If joints are swollen and painful, exercise very gently.

Proper Positions to Use When Resting:

· flat on the back or no more than 30° raised
· prone (lying flat) on the stomach (for up to 20 to 30 minutes only, not for sleeping)
· one-quarter left or right turn onto the back
· three-quarters right or left turn on to the stomach
· aided by special positioning devices (for example, splints for leg, foot, hand, or back support)

About the Author:

Caring.com Editorial Team

Caring.com features original content focused exclusively on eldercare matters. Our 20+ editors and writers research and fact-check every article meticulously, and our advisory board reviews the site regularly to assure the accuracy and relevance of the material we publish. We have hundreds of articles and checklists on health, housing, finance, legal and family issues, and other caregiving concerns, and we're adding new articles and other resources every day.


Stroke Physical Therapy

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Physical Therapy for Stroke Survivors

Questions for Your Aging Parents from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

It's hard enough approuching your parents about their plans and finances as they age, but do you even know what to ask? The following link has a checklist for the more important things you may need to know about.

Questions to Ask Aging Parents

Arthritis Supplements and Diet; Separating Fact and Fiction from Comfort Keepers Elder Care in Troy, MO

The pain of arthritis can be so severe that some people will buy and try anything that is touted to relieve the pain. But what really works and what doesn't? This article on WebMD can help sort it all out:

Arthritis Diets & Supplements: Do They Work?

Information on Cateracts from Comfort Keepers Senior Care in Troy, MO

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most cataracts are related to aging, they are very common in older people but younger people can get them, too. By the age of 80 more than half of all American will either have a cataract or had cataract surgery. I have found a couple of websites with information about cataracts:

A Complete Guide to Cataracts

Facts About Cataracts

Caring for Your Elderly Parents Finances in Troy, MO

Credit card debt among seniors is up 26 percent according to some studies. Problems with finances can arise even if your parents have always been responsible with their spending and budgets. Dementia, depression and other factors can affect their ability to make sound decisions. How can you tell if your parents are having financial troubles and what can you do about it if you suspect they are? Read the following article from MSNBC for some tips:

Helping aging parents dig out of debt

Taichi Exercise from Comfort Keepers Elderly Care in Troy, MO

Months ago I posted the link to some Taichi exercises for the elderly. This is the second video on Taichi for the your elderly loved one from the same source.