What Is Included In Our In Home Parkinsons Care Service
Our highly personalised Parkinsons disease home care includes:
- Full assessment before care starts
- Bespoke and flexible care plan developed with input from the family and other healthcare professionals
- Matching of the most suitable care team to meet the holistic needs of our clients
- Dedicated care team led by an expert regional care manager
- Meal planning and household tasks
- Social activities and lifestyle enhancement
- Specialist support and expertise 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Access to clinical expertise and medical support
Faqs About Parkinsons Disease
1. How does a doctor diagnose Parkinsons?
There is no specific test for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. However in 2011, the FDA approved the DaTscan which takes pictures of the dopamine system in the brain. Doctors are able to use these results to increase their certainty of a Parkinsons diagnosis. The disease is currently diagnosed by a doctor completing a neurological examination and looking for two or more of the cardinal signs of Parkinsons which include muscle rigidity, slowed movement, and tremor.
2. Why does a person with Parkinsons drool?
Researchers and doctors are not completely sure what causes drooling in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Some theories suggest that drooling occurs due to:
- Difficulty swallowing excessive saliva in the mouth as it accumulates.
- Lack of dopamine which controls saliva production.
- The forward stooped posture and open mouth that is often characteristic of people with the disease.
3. My dad has Parkinsons and he gets emotional and cries so easily whenever we visit him. Ive never seen my dad cry before and it makes me uncomfortable. Should I be concerned that something is wrong or is this part of his Parkinsons?
4. Is incontinence caused by Parkinson’s disease?
Not all individuals with Parkinson’s disease are incontinent. However, for individuals who are incontinent, it is thought that this incontinence is due to impaired nerve cells impulses from the brain traveling to the bladder and/or bowel.
Parkinsons Care At Home
At The Good Care Group, we have been supporting people to live a purposeful and meaningful life with Parkinsons disease care for over 10 years. We know how worrying it can be for families when faced with the reality that a loved one is living with the condition. However, a Parkinsons diagnosis does not mean you cannot live well with the disease, maintaining as much independence as possible with the right level of care and support.
Stay at home with high quality Parkinsons disease care
Receiving compassionate care in the comfort, safety and familiarity of your own home has far reaching benefits in improving overall health and wellbeing for a person living with Parkinsons, as opposed to moving into a care home.
Moving at any stage in life can be disruptive and stressful, and so much more so when faced with a diagnosis of a condition like Parkinsons. We know that staying at home and receiving compassionate, one-to-one care from a highly trained and well-matched professional carer improves quality of life for an individual living with Parkinsons disease. Our personalised approach to providing high quality Parkinsons disease home care, with a fully managed and flexible service that families can rely on is setting the standards in live in care for those with Parkinsons.
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How Medicare Covers These Treatments
Traditional Medicare has two parts. Part A supplies hospital coverage. It will pay for your inpatient stay in the hospital as well as up to a hundred days in a skilled nursing facility. If someone with Parkinsons pursues inpatient surgery like DBS, Part A pays for this.
Outpatient treatments are covered under Medicare Part B. While this includes expected things like doctor visits and lab work, Part B also covers more costly services such as outpatient surgery, CT scans, injectable medications, durable medical equipment and physical therapy. It will cover the cassettes used with a Duopa pump and any diagnostic imaging necessary before these types of procedures.
For nearly 50 years, Medicare had no coverage for outpatient retail medications. However, all of this changed in 2006 with the advent of Medicare Part D. Part D is optional drug coverage for people who are eligible for Medicare and are enrolled in either Part A and/or Part B.
Part D is critical for any person living with Parkinsons. Most Part D plans cover Carbidopa/Levodopa as well as other common medications used in the treatment of Parkinsons. All Medicare beneficiaries will have an opportunity to enroll in Medicare Part D when they first become eligible for Medicare, and there are no pre-existing condition limitations.
How Respite Home Care Can Help
Everyone needs a break sometimes, so sit back and let a professional caregiver or homemaker do the work. Certified caregivers are experienced, knowledgeable and compassionate with patients. A caregiver can be the perfect helping hand in cases dealing with special needs, including Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease and diabetes.
Is your loved one resistant to the idea of outside help? Not a problem. Professional caregivers are experienced in earning the trust of individuals and can slowly ease your loved one into the idea of outside assistance. Your Home Health Aide or Certified Nursing Assistant can start out with small tasks around the house, such as light housekeeping or laundry. As your loved one becomes more comfortable, the caregiver will slowly transition from an HHA or CNA into the role of a companion, giving you the break you deserve.
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American Parkinson Disease Association
Founded in 1961, the American Parkinson Disease Association is a grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinsons disease and helping the approximately one million with PD in the United States live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic neurological disorder. They provide a support group network, resources for specialized populations, online discussion forum, rehabilitation resource center, educational video library, webinars, and more. Phone: 1-800-223-2732
What Can I Do To Feel Better
If youve ever been on an airplane, youve heard the advice to put on your own oxygen mask first before assisting others. The same holds true for caregivers. By placing your own physical, medical and emotional needs on equal par with the person with Parkinsons, you may help prevent yourself from falling into stress, caregiver burnout or depression.
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How To Hire A Caregiver
Defines five types of care for hire and outlines a three-step process for hiring a caregiver. Step 1. Get ready: Identify needs and limitations, likes, dislikes, expectations & Dr. recommendations, review insurance and get a doctors report confirming need for in-home care. Step 2. Compare options: agency vs. registry. Step 3. Interview applicants from prepared questions.
Social Security Disability Insurance
SSDI, often referred to as simply Disability, is assistance intended for those individuals who are of working age and cannot work as a direct result of their medical condition. The SSA does not provide care assistance but instead provides financial assistance that can be used for care. To be eligible one must both have a written diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease and have earned monthly income of less than approximately $1,000.
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Difficulties With Activities Of Daily Living
ADLs refer to basic personal care tasks including bathing, dressing, eating, mobilizing, and toileting.
Individuals with Parkinson’s disease may have problems with mobilizing, freezing in place, bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing, eating, driving, travelling, as well as safety at home. A person has more difficulty performing these ADLs as the disease progresses due to increased muscle and cognitive impairment.
It can be hard to for individuals to adjust to these changes but there are ways to provide support and to promote as much independence and quality of life as possible.
Building A Backup Team
You need a backup team. Prepare and train one or two friends or family members to fill in for you, or explore local respite care options. In-home services are available with a range of options, including companion, home health and housekeeping services.
Out-of-home respite care options include adult day programs and residential facilities, which may offer the option to stay for a night, a few days or even a few weeks.
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Caring For Someone With Parkinsons Disease
Caring for someone with Parkinsons disease will change as the condition progresses.Your loved one is likely to cope well on their own during the early stages, and may only require transportation to doctors appointments, social engagements, and shopping trips. But their dependence will inevitably grow, and at some point, they may need your help with daily personal tasks, medication management, making financial decisions, and advocating with healthcare providers on their behalf.
Parkinsons disease places a significant burden on family caregivers, and they tend to suffer from higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep-related problems. These issues are even more common when Parkinsons disease causes a loved one to experience dementia, hallucinations, and other cognitive issues.
Caring for someone with Parkinsons disease can also result in social isolation, especially once the disorder reaches advanced stages. In some cases, caregivers reported that their increasing responsibilities led to tension with a spouse or partner. They were also more likely to report financial strain, especially if they reduced work hours or left their jobs entirely because of caregiving obligations.
Alzheimers And Parkinsons Respite Program
Keeping Your Loved One Safe at Home.
Caring for someone who has Alzheimers, Parkinsons or another type of dementia is difficult, which is why we support both the patient with dementia AND their caregivers. We provide quality respite care in the patients home to give the caregiver much needed personal time to attend to their own needs and to ease the daily stress of caring for their loved one.
Visiting Nurse is the only organization that is solely focused on providing specialized personal care for Alzheimers and Parkinsons patients. We have been delivering services since 1990. In over 30% of the patients served, we have provided care for more than ten years. Our services include assistance with care planning that is sensitive and focused on the caregivers burden. We have a workforce especially trained in caring for the needs of those with Alzheimers and Parkinsons Diseases in their own homes.
Our services include the following:
- Supervisor of care by a Registered Nurse.
- Care plan focused on personal care in the home and anticipatingincreased needs as the disease progresses.
- Geriatric case management.
- Respite services for the caregiver.
- Consistency and longevity with the services provided by our aides.
- Innovative partnership with Simple C to provide support to both caregiver and loved one
Personal Support Services
- Assistance with meal preparation, hygiene and nutrition
- Lighthouse keeping, shopping and other support services
Alzheimers Respite Program:
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The Caregiver Burden Continuum
When a care partner does not attend to their own needs or take time off from the caregiving role, they may find themselves on the Caregiver Burden Continuum.
Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that may include by a change in attitude, from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned.
Caregiver Burden is a complex, multi-dimensional concept that includes factors that are subjective and objective . There are three basic sections of this continuum:
Where you fall on this continuum depends on your current experience with:
- The distance between the financial resources required to meet your needs and your actual financial resources
- Where you fall on the spectrum between socially active or socially isolated
- How many roles youre trying to navigate simultaneously with conflicting responsibilities
Case Management And Counseling
Our Social Work services can make a big difference for caregivers. Whether you need help finding the right home health agency, a listening ear on a hard day, or a family meeting to discuss how kids and parents can work together to provide care, call on us! Our experienced Social Work staff have the flexibility and expertise to help ease the many concerns that can come up on along the way. By offering these services for free, we eliminate barriers to all who need these important services.
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What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a disease of the brain that affects the muscles of the body. The cause of the disease is unknown and there is no cure. Parkinsons disease progression means that symptoms get worse over time. It often begins as a subtle hand tremor or it may begin with increased muscle stiffness or slower than normal movement.
As an individual becomes weaker and unable to care for themselves, family caregivers often help with care needs so the person may remain independent as long as possible. However, rigid muscles that prevent the individual from mobilizing safely or a serious fall may result in the need for long-term care.
How Assisted Living Helps Adults With Parkinsons Disease
The support an assisted living community in the Dallas- Fort Worth areas can offer to someone with Parkinsons disease includes:
- Nutritious, well-balanced meals and dining support, if needed
- Medication management to ensure the right amount of medicine is taken at the right time
- Help with personal care and personal hygiene
- Laundry, housekeeping and maintenance services
- Opportunity to participate in life enrichment activities and outings
- Transportation to physician visits and other necessary appointments
For assistance finding respite care or long-term care for a senior in north Texas who has Parkinsons disease, please Contact Us. We have helped hundreds of families find care they can count on for a loved one.
Senior Living Specialists is a free service for seniors and their families. We are compensated by a referral fee when a senior moves into a community or care home. Call us today at to learn more.
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Planning For Your Medicare Cost
We often meet new Medicare beneficiaries who are surprised to learn that Medicare is not free. In fact, it functions very similar to other employer group health insurance you may have had during your working years. These plans all have cost-sharing that you pay in the form of deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance. Medicare has the same.
Lets break down some of the cost-sharing items you will incur on each Part of Medicare. This will help you estimate your personal expected expenditures under Medicare.
When you have an inpatient hospital stay, a Medicare Part A benefit period is triggered. The Part A deductible per benefit period is $1,364 this year. A deductible is an amount that you pay out of pocket before your Medicare benefits kick in.
After you have paid your deductible, Medicare Part A covers all the rest of your inpatient hospital expenses for the next two months or 60 days. You wont incur any further co-pays unless you have a hospital stay that is longer than 60 consecutive days, and that is rare.
Its important to mention that its possible to have more than one benefit period in a calendar year. This occurs when you leave the hospital and are out of the hospital for 60 straight days, which closes the benefit period. If you go back into the hospital again, a new benefit period will begin, and you will owe the Medicare Part A deductible again.
Respite Is Necessary For Carers
Respite is necessary for carers in order for them to maintain mental and physical health, and to remain effective in their caring role.
Respite simply means taking a break from being a carer. There are many different types of respite support available.
Some common types of respite are listed below.
- In home: A support worker looks after the person you care for in your home.
- Facility or residential based: The person you care for stays for a short period in a care facility like an aged care home or supported accommodation
- Community based: The person you care for joins a day program at an adult day centre, neighbourhood house or community health centre
- Alternative family care: your family and friends may be able to help with your caring responsibilities while you take a break.
- Recreation based: You and the person you care for can join organised recreation, social or leisure activities either together or separately.
- Emergency respite: Sometimes available if you need to deal with sudden illness, accidents, family troubles or emergencies
Carers can contact Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or www.carergateway.gov.au to find out more about emergency respite options available in your area.
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The Kirk Gibson Foundation For Parkinsons Has Issued Grants In 2021 To The Following Organizations And Programs:
Michigan Parkinson Foundation
The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinsons issued a grant to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation allocated to continue their respite care program. The respite care program assists families for in-home personal care so caregivers in Michigan can tend to their own needs. The respite care program is projected to help 126 Michigan families in 2022.
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research
The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinsons gave a grant to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research to support projects focused on accelerating a cure and addressing challenging symptoms of the disease. MJFF is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinsons disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinsons today.
Spectrum Health Foundation
The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinsons issued a grant to the Spectrum Health Foundation to be used for the continuation of the EVSP® Big & Loud Program through 2022. You can learn more about the program here.
Perfect 33 Foundation
The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinsons issued a grant to the Perfect 33 Foundation to be used to support current service members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces.
Uncorked Adventures NP
The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinsons issued a grant to Uncorked Adventures NFP to support the Long Walk For Parkinsons to create awareness of Parkinsons Disease.