Parkinson's Care | Secure Healthcare Solutions

Parkinson’s is a neurological disease that affects a person’s brain cells(neurons), resulting in body tremors, impaired motor skills, balance problems, and weakened muscles. Medications and therapy are the best solutions for Parkinson’s, but a Parkinson’s diet can help you boost or assist your condition.

Parkinson’s diet cannot entirely cure the disease. Still, a recommended diet can increase dopamine levels in the body and help combat symptoms such as constipation, fatigue, weight loss, and difficulty swallowing foods. Adjusting your diet ensures the body receives the essential nutrients for daily functioning.

How a Parkinson’s Diet Can Affect Symptoms

The best plan for Parkinson’s diet depends on the symptoms and medication you take for the disease. By including a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole foods in daily meals, individuals may help protect their nervous system and maintain better overall health while tackling these symptoms:

Digestion
Dehydration
Fatigue
Weight Loss
Muscle Ache
Body Balance
High Sugar

Constipation is the most common symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Foods high in fibre, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, help improve bowel regularity.

Parkinson’s diet helps with the after-effects of medications, as drinking fluids and exercising can aid in constipation and dehydration.

Parkinson’s Foods to Eat: The Best Dietary Additions

A well-devised Parkinson’s diet with the following foods can improve an individual’s condition:

Fruits and Vegetables

Meals that include fruits and vegetables that are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants protect the brain from unstable substances known as free radicals within the body. This is called oxidative stress, which can be controlled by eating:

Berries
Nuts
Spinach
Tometoes
Turmeric

Take plant-based meals daily to maintain a healthy balance in the body.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oils are known for slowing neurodegeneration, increasing neurotransmission, and reducing nerve inflammation. The following foods are brain cell-protective:

Salmon
Mackerel
Sardines
Oysters
Chia seeds

This type of food in Parkinson’s diet can support long-term brain health.

Whole Grains and High Fibre Foods

An individual with Parkinson’s has symptoms such as constipation, fatigue, and unstable blood sugar. Consuming foods rich in fibre can maintain the energy of your body throughout the day.

Lentils and beans
Whole grains
Apples and pears
Seeds and nuts

It is important to drink plenty of water alongside fibre to help digestion work effectively.

Vitamin D and Probiotic Foods

Parkinson’s causes poor balance and frequent falls, so the body should have sufficient calcium and vitamin D to reduce tremors and improve bone health. Fortified and Fermented foods can help boost your health:

Fermented/Fortified Yoghurt
Fortified Soy/Rice
Fortified Juices
Leafy green vegetables

These are all rich in Vitamin D and Calcium.

Foods to Avoid with Parkinson’s Disease

If you are suffering from Parkinson’s, you should avoid the following foods:

High Protein Foods

Protein is essential to a Parkinson’s diet as it helps maintain the body’s energy levels. But if taken at the wrong time or with some particular medications, it can create problems.

Parkinson’s medications, such as Levodopa, are preferred to be taken either before or an hour after consuming high-protein meals.

Highly Processed Foods

Processed foods contain unhealthy fats, high amounts of sugar, sodium, and artificial additives. If consumed regularly, it can exacerbate Parkinson’s condition, such as weight gain and inflammation.

Fast Foods
Packed Snacks
Suger Drinks
Processed Meats

Saturated and Trans Fats

Saturated and trans fats impact oxidative stress and cardiovascular issues. This can worsen Parkinson’s even more. Common Saturated foods:

Fried Foods
Fatty Red Meats
Heavy Cream-Based Products
Margarine

Excess Sugar

High sugar intake can lead to unbalanced sugar levels in the body, impacting overall health and fatigue. Avoid or reduce consumption of things like desserts, soft drinks, and sugar-laden cereals.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption can cause dizziness and balance issues, which can worsen Parkinson’s condition.

Managing Your Diet Alongside Levodopa and Other Medications

Levodopa is the most commonly used medication for Parkinson’s patients. An unmonitored diet with levodopa can lower its effects on the patient.

When taken with high-protein meals and some iron supplements, Levodopa competes for absorption in the digestive system, reducing its effectiveness. To avoid these kinds of mistakes:

Take Levodopa 30-60 minutes before/after a meal
Avoiding high-protein foods when taking medication
Consume most daily protein during evening meals

Keeping these things in check helps medications work better and increases the effectiveness of the Parkinson’s diet.

Practical Tips for Mealtime Challenges

Having Parkinson’s makes eating difficult. If planned carefully, a Parkinson’s diet should make meals enjoyable and easy. Follow the tips below to avoid mealtime challenges:

Take Frequent Meals to keep your body energised.
Stay Hydrated (helps with digestion)
Use Adaptive Utensils (helps persons with tremors)
Eat easy-to-eat meals (soups, smoothies, stews) for those having difficulty chewing and swallowing.
Focus on balanced meals with veggies, healthy fats, fibre, nutrients, and medications.

A Parkinson’s diet plan with the above tips maintains strength and overall well-being.

Expert Parkinson’s Care in Wolverhampton

Managing Parkinson’s disease often requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond medication alone. Nutrition, physical activity, and daily support all play an important role in maintaining independence and quality of life.

Professional care services can provide personalised guidance to help individuals manage symptoms effectively while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Specialist caregivers understand the unique challenges associated with Parkinson’s disease and can assist with meal planning, mobility support, and daily activities.

For families seeking compassionate and expert support, accessing professional Parkinson’s Care in Wolverhampton can ensure individuals receive the tailored assistance they need to live safely and comfortably while managing the condition.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and slowly progressing neurological disorder that causes many symptoms, such as tremors and movement stiffness. In the UK, 153,000 people are living with Parkinson’s.

Although there is no permanent cure for the disease, Parkinson’s symptoms can be effectively managed with medication, therapies, and consistent support so that patients can have a better quality of life.

Patients with Parkinson’s need supportive care to manage their medications and adapt daily routines. In this guide, we cover the key aspects of living with Parkinson’s, symptom management, and care and support options in the UK.

Signs of Parkinson’s Disease and How They Affect Daily Life

As Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder, the symptoms start slowly, but continue to affect movements over time. Typical signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

Tremors: Tremors are often the first symptoms of Parkinson’s. More commonly, they occur in the hands and feet, but some people have tremors in their jaw or tongue.
Muscle rigidity: Stiffness in the neck, hands, feet, or back stops people with Parkinson’s from moving freely.
Anxiety and depression: Parkinson’s takes its toll on emotional health, and almost half of Parkinson’s patients have depression and anxiety. It could also be due to the chemical changes in the brain because of the disease.

Other symptoms like issues with bladder control, constipation, restless legs, and low blood pressure may also occur in Parkinson’s patients. Many also have sleep difficulties, mood disturbances, and irritability.

The symptoms vary from one person to another. Patients who have Parkinson’s with dementia may experience significant cognitive decline within a few years of showing the motor symptoms. Patients with Parkinson’s, as well as their caregivers and families, must take care of their mental well-being.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health

Living with Parkinson’s, knowing that there is no cure and symptoms will only worsen over time, can affect the mental health of patients. Further, chemical changes in their brain further impact cognitive health, sleep, and mood. Often, patients with Parkinson’s have low mood or withdraw socially.

Parkinson’s disease has over 40 symptoms, and early diagnosis is often challenging. Counsellors can help patients to develop coping strategies, and support groups can share their experiences to make sure that the patient doesn’t feel alone.

Families taking care of patients with Parkinson’s at home also go through emotional distress. The patients may need continuous and supportive care throughout their lifetime. In the next section, let’s explore how people with Parkinson’s can continue to stay independent.

How to Manage Parkinson’s Symptoms and Stay Independent

Medication helps to reduce dopamine deficiency, and therefore, most medications include a combination of Levodopa with others that ease motor symptoms. Finding an appropriate combination of medications for the patient is essential, with adjustments required over time as symptoms change.

Therapy is important for allowing patients with Parkinson’s to be independent. Physiotherapy is aimed at balance and movement. Speech and language therapy would be necessary for communication and control of swallowing. Some people may require occupational therapy to cope with daily living.

Active living is encouraged among persons with Parkinson’s to minimise stiffness and enhance mood. Social connectivity, family support, and professional assistance can lead to a remarkable difference in quality of life.

Parkinson’s Care and Support Options in the UK

In the UK, Parkinson’s UK is a well-known charity that offers advice, connections with local support groups, and helplines for patients with Parkinson’s and their families. They help find services closer to the patient for better care and support.

Depending on the severity of the condition, patients with Parkinson’s may need continuous home support. Some may be independent on their own with occasional check-ins, while some may require full-time live-in care. Families also choose care homes to take care of their loved ones with Parkinson’s for safe and round-the-clock support.

NHS Services for People with Parkinson’s

The NHS offers diagnosis, specialist treatment, and ongoing care for living with Parkinson’s. Neurologists, therapists, and trained nurses come together to offer treatment and care for Parkinson’s patients. They review patients with Parkinson’s regularly, as each one needs a customised treatment approach.

The NHS continuing healthcare package is available free of charge on an ongoing basis outside of the hospital. It is offered based on the Parkinson’s assessment, and depending on the condition of the patient, they can choose between residential or at-home care.

While the NHS strives to offer free-of-charge ongoing care for Parkinson’s, it’s not easily accessible to everyone due to limited awareness, variations in assessment, eligibility criteria, and bureaucracy. Beyond the NHS, families and patients with Parkinson’s can get customised and expert supportive care with dedicated health services.

How Secure Healthcare Solutions Can Help with Parkinson’s Care

Secure Healthcare Solutions offers tailored support to people with Parkinson’s. Experts create personalised care plans that respect individual preferences.

Patients can get assistance for daily tasks, mobility, support with rehabilitation therapies, and negotiations with health professionals. Safety is the primary concern; every effort is made to allow patients to remain as independent as possible. Professionals work with families and patients to draw up a care plan addressing the concerns of all involved parties, including patients, caregivers, and families. It helps in maintaining dignity and quality of life in the face of changing symptoms.

If you are seeking local supportive Parkinson’s care in Wolverhampton, Secure Healthcare can help with trained caregivers and health professionals.

FAQs

Can you drive with Parkinson’s?

Driving ability with Parkinson’s depends on the patient’s symptoms. Many people continue to drive during the early stages of the disease as long as they meet the local driving requirements. However, you must inform DVLA about your diagnosis and follow their guidance. Your doctor can assess your fitness to drive.

What benefits can I claim with Parkinson’s disease in the UK?

Multiple benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Statutory Sick Pay are available for patients with Parkinson’s. However, the eligibility depends on care needs, health status, and assessment. Diagnosis alone doesn’t qualify you for these benefits.

Is Parkinson’s disease a disability?

Yes, under the UK equality law, Parkinson’s is recognised as a disability if the symptoms are substantial and cause a long-term impact on daily activities. This recognition supports access to benefits, legal protections, and workplace adjustments.

Secure Healthcare Solutions stands at the forefront of providing comprehensive and tailored care services, particularly in the realm of complex and specialist care. This dynamic company has established itself as a beacon of hope and support for individuals grappling with intricate health challenges. By offering a wide spectrum of services, they cater to various needs ranging from dementia care to complex care nursing, ensuring that every client receives the utmost attention and personalised treatment.

In this blog, we will delve into the specifics of Secure Healthcare Solutions’ offerings, exploring how they navigate the intricacies of complex care and make a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve.

Exploring Complex and Specialist Care Services

Secure Healthcare Solutions offers a comprehensive range of services to address the diverse and complex healthcare needs of their clients. Their approach is marked by a deep understanding of the unique challenges involved in complex care and a commitment to delivering personalised and high-quality services.

Range of Services Offered

The company’s offerings encompass a wide array of services tailored to meet the needs of those requiring complex care. This includes specialised support for conditions such as dementia, spinal cord injuries, and other chronic health issues. Their services are designed to cater to the multifaceted nature of these conditions, ensuring a holistic approach to care.

Tailoring Care to Individual Needs

At the core of Secure Healthcare Solutions’ ethos is the customization of care to individual needs. They recognize that each patient has a unique set of requirements and circumstances. Their team of experts works closely with clients and their families to develop care plans that are not only medically sound but also attuned to the personal needs and preferences of the individual.

Geographical Reach and Accessibility

Secure Healthcare Solutions is committed to making their services accessible to a broad audience. They have established a strong presence in various locations, ensuring that more people can access their specialised care services. This geographical reach is crucial in providing necessary care to those who may otherwise have limited access to such specialised services.

Understanding Specific Care Types

Secure Healthcare Solutions offers a variety of specialised care services, each tailored to meet the specific needs of individuals with complex health conditions. Their expertise covers a range of care types, ensuring comprehensive and compassionate support.

Care for Neurological Disorders

Secure Healthcare Solutions provides exceptional care for neurological disorders, understanding the unique challenges these conditions pose. Their services are tailored to manage symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. The care team focuses on a holistic approach, addressing physical, emotional, and cognitive aspects. This comprehensive care is crucial for conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease, where specialised attention can significantly impact the patient’s well-being.

Support for Spinal Cord and Acquired Brain Injuries

The care for spinal cord and acquired brain injuries at Secure Healthcare Solutions is characterised by a patient-centric approach. Understanding the profound impact of these injuries, their services focus on rehabilitation and enhancing independence. The care includes physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and emotional support, essential for helping individuals adapt to new challenges and regain as much functionality as possible.

Managing Chronic Conditions like Diabetes and Dementia

Their approach to managing chronic conditions like diabetes and dementia involves a multidimensional care plan. It includes medical management, lifestyle guidance, and continual monitoring to address the evolving nature of these conditions. The goal is to provide patients with not just medical care but also support in daily living, ensuring they maintain the highest quality of life possible.

Palliative Care

Palliative care at Secure Healthcare Solutions is provided with the utmost compassion and respect for the patient’s dignity. Focused on alleviating pain and other distressing symptoms, the care extends beyond physical relief to include emotional and spiritual support. Tailored to individual needs, this service ensures that patients and their families receive comprehensive, empathetic care during life’s most challenging moments.

Additional Services

In addition to their specialised care for complex health conditions, Secure Healthcare Solutions offers a range of additional services. These services include providing tailored support for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. They also offer bespoke care for children and young people, recognizing the unique challenges faced by younger individuals with health needs. These additional services underline their commitment to comprehensive, inclusive care, catering to a wide spectrum of healthcare requirements across different age groups and health conditions.

Conclusion

Secure Healthcare Solutions epitomises excellence in providing complex and specialist care, catering to a diverse range of healthcare needs. Their commitment to personalised care, combined with their wide geographical reach, ensures that each individual receives the best possible support. From managing chronic conditions to offering palliative care and additional services for various age groups and health challenges, they stand as a testament to compassionate, comprehensive healthcare. Their dedication not only enhances the quality of life for their clients but also serves as a model for healthcare providers everywhere.

At Secure Healthcare, we are an ever-growing company that provides care and staff built on people. We strive to provide the best quality care and support to individuals across the Midlands and Staffordshire. Every member of our team is a valuable part in our journey to ensure that we achieve this together. We are committed to doing everything we can to help you realise your potential.

The identifying potential is the heart of everything we do. We believe that healthcare workers have the potential to achieve. At Secure you are in the right place, by providing the right support, training and development and career planning, there is potential to progress your career with us.

Within the company, if you are invested and committed, the support is there to make you progress your career with us.

Here at Secure, alongside telling individuals that we value them. We work closely with our staff to ensure they have a clear progression path, with a personalised learning plan to allow our staff achieve their next goal and these plans are constantly updated.

How does Secure Healthcare Solutions support work/life balance?
Our healthcare staff at Secure love their work, and we understand that everyone have their own lives too, Everyone, has their own commitments, such as children care, interests and hobbies and challenges occurring in society. Secure healthcare supports a flexible way to make this happen to create a work life balance. We want individuals to feel comfortable and happy in their personal life and at work.

Staff progression within the company
Here at Secure, over 70% of staff have been promoted internally, we are always providing opportunities with the company. There are always opportunities to get to your next step, whether it is a healthcare role or a role within the office, we are here to support you all the way.

How does Secure reward Staff?
Here at Secure healthcare, we offer competitive salaries to all our staff and pick up a lot of extra shifts to increase annual earnings. We offer flexible working hours to our staff to allow them have a good work life balance, so they can do the things they enjoy. We also have referral schemes, for healthcare staff referred, this allows you to increase your annual earnings.

Training opportunities at Secure Healthcare Solutions
Here at Secure, we heavily invest in training for our staff. We have a clinical team that provides healthcare training and soft skill development to ensure that you are up to date with training, to ensure quality care and support is provided. For example, you may start your journey as a domiciliary carer which requires no care experience, you would just need to be passionate about providing care and progress your career to become a complex carer through training and qualifications that we are able to provided you.

We are a nursing agency in Wolverhampton and we have many healthcare jobs across the Midlands and Staffordshire, offering flexible shifts to suit your availability and we offer high rates of pay. If you are seeking to secure a role within the healthcare industry, then check out our domiciliary roles, HCA, Complex carers and nurse roles local to you within the West Midlands and Staffordshire, using our job search tool or contact us on 0121 285 9449 to find out more. Pick up as many shifts as you want and choose shifts around your availability.

There is over 40 million people that have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the UK. Approximately 27 million people have received both doses to provide maximum protection and here at Secure Healthcare Solutions we highly encourage individuals to come forward to be vaccinated to help protect against the threat of the new variants.

Public Health England outlines that 2 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are highly effective against the (Delta) variant, identified in India. This reduces the risk of hospitalisation and death, which prevents the NHS hospitals being overwhelmed and to prevent another lockdown occurring in the UK.

PHE research carried out shows that individuals that received a single dose of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine have an 80% lower risk of death, and the second dose provides 85 to 90% protection against COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides 80% protection after one dose and 97% after 2 doses.

The UK is one of the leading nations to have vaccinated the population. Over 60% of the population has been vaccinated.
Click here to find out more about the COVID 19 vaccine.

Secure Healthcare Solutions is in the healthcare industry and is a healthcare staffing agency providing quality care and support to service users within care homes, hospitals and for homecare. Our staff members get priority to receive the COVID 19 vaccine and our patients that we care and provide support for have had the priority to receive the COVID 19 vaccine. As the people that we provide care for in the vulnerable category, we highly encourage individuals to take the vaccine.

We provide our service users PPE, including gloves, face masks and sanitiser. Our staff are also provided this too and appropriate PPE clothing to ensure our service users feel comfortable and safe. As a healthcare agency, safety is imperative for us when it comes to COVID 19 and we ensure that we follow all the government guidelines.

Our healthcare staff and patients are regularly tested for COVID 19 through rapid lateral flow home tests kits.

Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we understand that there is a lot of negative rumours about the vaccine, whether it is safe and the long-term side effects of the vaccine.

Who should not receive not receive the vaccine?
– Pregnant women
– Children under 16 (Moderna)
– Children under 18 (Astrazeneca/Oxford vaccine & Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine)
– History of allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to ingredients in the vaccine, if you unsure about this, before being vaccinated, ask members of staff.

Side effects of having the COVID-19 vaccine
There are many side effects of taking the COVID 19 vaccine, that are generally mild and should not last longer than a week.
These include:
– A sore arm, where the needle has been put in
– Fatigue
– Headaches
– Body aches
– Feeling or being sick

If you have any of the symptoms above, it is recommended to take paracetamols

If you want to find out more about how we support our service users and also how we support our staff with COVID 19 to ensure safety and individuals feeling comfortable, then please feel free to call us on 0121 285 9449. We highly encourage all our staff and service users to take the COVID 19 vaccine.

The NHS faces one of the greatest challenges of delayed discharge of patients as there is no or insufficient home support to meet the daily essential needs when patients are ready to leave the hospital, resulting in patients remaining in the care of the NHS. This results to hospital beds being occupied, which becomes very costly for the NHS, also it restricts treatments for those that are more likely to need it. Healthy patients can also contract illnesses in hospitals such as flu or urinary tract infections. Delayed discharge has resulted in a difficult cycle which hospitals are finding difficult to overcome, despite all the hard work of the hospital staff and adult social services within the local authorities.

Secure healthcare is here to offer compassionate and efficient discharge services across the UK. We ensure that we take care of the patients’ discharge when the healthcare professionals at the hospital have approved for the patient to be discharged. We make sure that the patient returns safely within their home or care home and ensure they receive the support and care required after they leave the hospital.

What is Secure Healthcare Solutions Fast Track Discharge Services?
Our discharge services ensure patients return to their homes or care homes safely, reducing the amount of time spent in the hospital and avoiding necessary delays. We provide after-care when released from the hospital to ensure patients receive adequate support.

We can:

Create a post-discharge plan to suit individual patient needs.
Arrange to accompany a patient home from the hospital or can arrange to meet the patient on arrival at home.
We can provide further support to those that require it to settle back in, which could include helping with shopping for basic food and clothing essentials, ensuring the house is clean and tidy, supplying basic medicine if required. This is essential for patients that do not have much or any family support.
Remain overnight or stay with the individual requiring care for a few days, or providing more intensive support if required.
Check-in with the patient to ensure that they are receiving the sufficient care required.
Whether you require a nurse, healthcare care assistant, or community support worker, we are here to provide this support.
We operate 24/7 and our team can deal with any discharge inquiries.
Agree with individual, family, or care manager about the extra support required when discharged from the hospital, short term, and long-term requirements to ensure that we are providing quality care.
Communicate with GP’s, Nurses, and hospital professionals about the support the individual patient will require to prevent the patient from being readmitted.

The NHS provides further information about arranging care before leaving the hospital. Click here to find out more.

Secure healthcare solutions are here to support those that require discharge services across the Midlands and Staffordshire, areas including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Stoke, Coventry, Cheshire, Shropshire, Worcester, and much more.
Speak to us today to see how we can support patients with discharge services. Email us at homecare@securesolutions.co.uk or call us on 01902 302 017 to discuss how we can support you to provide the best possible care and support.

If you have had a family member diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it can be a shock. You can be left wondering what it means and just how you can help with Parkinson’s care. Parkinson’s is a progressive nervous system that affects movement. It gets worse over time and this can be distressing for you to watch a loved one go through. This is why it is a good idea to prepare yourself as early on as possible. Parkinson’s symptoms often start gradually and are barely noticeable. It could be that the person has a slight tremor in a finger, but this gradually gets worse. It is usually followed by stiffness and slowing of movement. Your loved one will need extra help during this time and this is where a Parkinson’s care at home carer can come in. There are also additional things you can do to help.

Learn as much as you can about the condition

When you find out someone has Parkinson’s, it is a good idea to research it. This is so you know what to expect as their condition progresses. While not everyone is the same and they don’t move at the same pace, it is better to prepare yourself for certain things that might occur. There are books you can read, blogs you can find online, websites, and charities that are all on hand to help you out. You can also ask your Parkinson’s care carer for any advice.

Let your loved one have as much independence as possible

Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s’ can be frustrating for the person that has received the diagnosis. They will likely want to retain as much independence as possible. This will ensure that they can feel like themselves and not like they are useless. Instead of doing everything for them, let them try it themselves. You could also offer. For example, if they look like they want a drink, ask if they would like you to make it for them or for them to do it themselves.

Parkinson's care — Photo by **Pixabay** from **Pexels**

Help them to get active

Keeping active is especially important for those suffering from Parkinson’s. Exercise helps the brain to use dopamine which is a chemical involved in the movement. This can help with Parkinson’s care. You can help them to stay active with things such as going on a walk with them, doing an exercise class such as yoga, or even simple exercises at home. These will also help to improve their mental health as well as their physical health. It is also a lovely way for you to all spend some time together too!

Keep an eye out for worsening symptoms

If someone has Parkinson’s, their symptoms will gradually worsen. They might not notice it themselves, but you could. Keep an eye out for if their speech, walking ability or movements change. It is also important to check that they aren’t getting depressed as this can cause them to decline faster. It could be a good idea to keep a diary of their symptoms so you can track if anything changes.

These are a few ways that you can help to look after someone with Parkinson’s disease. Here at Secure Healthcare Solutions, we have a range of carers who are specialized in Parkinson’s care. Find out more and how we can help you here.

If you are looking for a role as a home carer, check out our vacancies here.

Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that affects the nervous system, leading to shaking, stiffness, difficulty walking, balance, and coordination.

Men and women can both have Parkinson’s disease, although it impacts men 50 percent more than women.

Generally, Parkinson’s first develops around the age of 60, and only about 5 to 10 percent would have Parkinson’s before the age of 50.

Parkinson develops when cells in the brain stop working effectively and the cells are lost over time. The brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine. When the brain can not produce enough dopamine, you will start to notice symptoms, particularly to control movement properly.

There are three main symptoms of Parkinson’s, which are tremor, stiffness, and slowness of movement, however, you may also experience other symptoms, including problems with your sleep, memory, and mental health issues.

Generally, individuals with Parkinson’s initially do not realize that they have this disease, and symptoms gradually worsen over time, as the disease progresses. Currently, there are around 145,000 people in the UK that live with Parkinson’s and it is known to be the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world.

Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, and scientists are working hard to find a breakthrough for a cure. There are treatments available to help reduce the main symptoms and maintain quality of life for as long as possible.

During the early stages of Parkinson’s, symptoms are generally mild, and you may not need any treatment, however, it is advised to have regular appointments with a specialist to monitor your condition.

Some research highlights that regular exercise may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, also there is some research that shows that individuals that consume drinks with caffeine are less likely to get Parkinson’s disease than those who do not drink it.

Eating a well-balanced diet containing fruits and vegetables can improve overall health and help with non-movement symptoms.

There is no guarantee that this protects you, however, it is recommended to live a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and good nutrition and hydration.

Treatments
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, however, treatment and domiciliary care and support can help ease the symptoms experienced. Medicines can be prescribed to increase the levels of dopamine in the brain. You may also want physiotherapy to help with movements and speech therapy to help with slurred speech.

At Secure Healthcare Solutions we want to provide you the right amount of care and support required through your condition, which may deteriorate over time. It is important that we listen to your needs and what goals you want to achieve, to then create a tailored care plan to support your individual’s needs and preferences. We are able to provide this support within care homes and at the comfort of your home. Support may include:

– Ensuring you have the medicines you need and support with administering medicines.
– Providing support with social activities that you enjoy.
– Stimulating the brain by reading or walking.
– Supportive treatments such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

Speak to us today to see how we can support patients with Parkinson’s. Email us at homecare@securesolutions.co.uk or call us on 01902 302 017 to discuss how we can support you or your loved ones to provide the best possible care and support.

When it comes to diabetes, one of the best ways to live with and manage it, is to research and improve your knowledge. With more knowledge comes a better understanding and recognition of how to improve your quality of life. Diabetes doesn’t just affect a small part of you, it can affect your whole body. There is so much research out there it can get overwhelming so teaching yourself in small chunks is key. Due to this, we have put together a guide of 5 small tips for living with and managing diabetes. These tips are just the basics but it’s always good to have a refresh, especially if you are newly diagnosed. We are also on hand for your diabetes care and if you find yourself asking “where can I find diabetes care near me?” we are on hand to help.

Knowledge Is Power

Understanding and educating yourself about diabetes can make the process a lot less stressful. Although they are complicated diseases, do not be scared to read up about them and to learn more. Try to listen to podcasts, read books and watch tv shows about it. The more you actively try to learn, the more you will take in and the more you will understand. Many experts will be able to give you tips and tricks to make the process of living with diabetes as straightforward as possible.

Be Active

Along with helping with your diabetes, exercise has many other benefits such as reducing your stress levels, increasing your muscle mass and losing weight. Throughout the week, try and set a target of exercising three times. Vary these exercises with strength training to increase your muscle strength and cardio exercises like fast walking or running. There are many apps that you can download which will help you stick to a target or support your exercise journey. If you are at an unhealthy weight, by losing this you will find it easier to manage your diabetes. Your diabetes care team can also help with this.

Photo by PhotoMIX Company from Pexels

Everybody Is Different

Always follow the professional advice given but remember everybody is different. What works for someone may not work for you, and that is alright. Some of the advice given may not work but don’t feel down and stressed about it. Try other experts advice and you may find that works perfectly. No-one knows your body better than you, so don’t put much pressure on yourself.

Eat Smaller Portions But More Often

When suffering from diabetes it is advised you eat small meals throughout the day instead of eating the standard three larger meals. The reason for this is that by eating smaller but more often can help regulate your blood sugar levels easier. Make sure you have a good diet at this will help in many ways from improving digestion to reducing tiredness.

Make a plan

Listen to the experts and make a plan with them to help manage your diabetes. By leaning on your diabetes educator, they will help assist you with improving your diet and how to get active. Try to work with your educator to make your plan realistic and achievable, that way you have the motivation to stick with it. Our team at Secure Health Care solution will help you with your plan, supporting you with meal plans, shopping for your ingredients and managing everyday symptoms like hunger, amongst other things.

If you are looking for diabetes care near you, we are on hand to help. Get in touch today and find diabetes care near you.

We also have a range of home care jobs including looking after diabetes care. Look at our current healthcare job roles here.

As you get older you tend to not move around so much and your joints and muscles can weaken. Elderly people can suffer from poorer eyesight, pain when you move, and reduced coordination – all of which might be the reason that you can no longer get around as you once did. This is why it is important to partake in physiotherapy to help battle this. Physiotherapy is often thought of as something to keep athletes in shape, but the reality is that it can help anybody at any time.

It is essentially the process of improving the movement and function of your body and anyone can benefit from it. When setting up a care plan for yourself or a loved one, it is a good idea to speak to the carer about physiotherapy options and how this can be integrated with the plan at hand. Home carers can work with or liaise with physiotherapists to ensure you get the care that you need. Here are some top benefits of including physiotherapy in care plans for the elderly.

What will a physiotherapist do?

– Find out about any falls at home or concerns you might have
– Decide the best approach to tackle this
– Work on strength and balance
– Show the patient how to do some exercises on their own to strengthen muscles at any time

How can physiotherapy in care plans for the elderly help?

It can improve mobility

When deciding care plans for the elderly, the aim needs to be on making their life as comfortable and independent as can be. By doing physiotherapy it improves your mobility and can enable you to walk around the house better, doing more things on your own.

It is a safe way to exercise

When you get older you might not be able to just pop out for a game of tennis or a job as and when you feel like it. Yet that doesn’t mean you don’t want to do some exercise – particularly if you used to be into fitness. Physiotherapy is a safe and risk-free way of getting a bit of exercise into a daily routine. You will be assigned small exercises that are within your capabilities and will be overseen by a carer or physiotherapist.

It can reduce the chances of a fall

A fall is a scary thing for both the person involved and their loved ones. One in three people over 65 have a fall each year and 10-25% suffer a serious injury from this. By partaking in physiotherapy and improving strength and balance, this helps to reduce the chances of a fall and therefore be much safer around the home.

It can aid with recovery

Home care plans for the elderly aid with recovery as soon as possible. If you have just returned from the hospital due to injury or something such as a stroke, physiotherapy can help you regain strength and mobility. Your physiotherapist will put you on a plan tailored to your needs. If you are coming out of the hospital and won’t be able to do things at home like you normally would, we can provide emergency care at home to help.

These are just a few things that a physiotherapist will do to help with home care plans for the elderly.

To find out more about our home care plans or our home care vacancies, please get in touch.