Parkinson's Disease: Overcoming Mealtime Challenges

Individuals with Parkinson's Disease can require a significant amount of care. An in-home care service can offer support for family members. It can be especially beneficial to have the help of an in-home caregiver during mealtimes.

Your loved one's Parkinson's Disease can have a negative effect on his or her ability to eat the foods required for proper nutrition. An in-home care provider will be able to assist your loved one in overcoming some challenges unique to Parkinson's Disease during mealtimes.

Dry Mouth

A variety of medications are prescribed to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. Unfortunately, these medications can frequently cause dry mouth. A lack of saliva makes chewing less efficient.

The risk of a person with Parkinson's Disease choking during a meal is always present. An in-home caregiver will be able to carefully monitor your loved one's water intake to offset the effects of dry mouth. In the event that your loved one does start choking, an in-home caregiver will be able to act swiftly to save his or her life.

Body Position

Parkinson's Disease can cause weakness and even partial paralysis of the muscles involved in swallowing and digestion. This muscle weakness and paralysis can make it challenging for a person with Parkinson's Disease to consume the foods needed to maintain proper nutrition.

Family members might think that serving meals in a recliner in front of the television is more comfortable for a loved one with Parkinson's Disease, but in-home caregivers know that this isn't true.

Your loved one should always be seated at the kitchen table in an upright position. This helps to straighten out the digestive pathway so that foods can be swallowed with as little resistance as possible.

Distraction Elimination

Because individuals with Parkinson's Disease have a hard time handling utensils, chewing foods, and swallowing with ease, mealtimes require more concentration for these individuals than for others.

An in-home care provider will be able to create a distraction-free environment in which your loved one can eat. Eliminating all outside interference allows your loved one to dedicate the concentration required for successful mealtimes.

Having the help of an in-home caregiver can make mealtimes a lot easier for both you and your loved one. Proper nutrition is essential for the ongoing health of your loved one. Don't let the muscle weakness and paralysis that can accompany a Parkinson's Disease diagnosis compromise the success of your loved one's mealtimes.

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