Hospice Care – Late Stage Parkinson’s

It is important to know your options for hospice care for late stage Parkinson’s patients. Our article regarding in home health care for Parkinson’s explains some of the basic facts and ideas to maintain quality of life once diagnosed. However, we offer specialized in home care from diagnosis through the final stages of the disease.

Parkinson’s disease is degenerative. Because the disease progresses with time there are basic stages that occur.

The Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

Stage One – The Initial Stage: Symptoms are generally mild and may be easier to hide. Common symptoms include tremors, poor posture, balance issues, stooping of the back, and shaking of the limbs.

Stage Two – Both Sides of the Body are Affected: The Parkinson’s now affects both sides of the body, with increased symptoms that are more noticeable. Daily tasks become more difficult as symptoms now affect the entire body. It is harder to maintain your balance, walking becomes more difficult and tremors/shaking is more frequent.

Stage Three – Increased symptoms & overall slowing down: By stage 3 the typical symptoms are more pronounced and the list of symptoms becomes more inclusive. One of the most noticeable changes is that movements and actions are much slower; including facial expressions, speech, and motor skills. It is common to common to feel light headed, fainting, and experience hypo-tension (low blood pressure that causes fainting when you stand up).

Stage Four – Severe Symptoms, even life threatening: By the time the 4^th stage is reached more severe medical symptoms occur. Walking may still be possible but less frequent and with limitations. The body and limbs become more rigid and bradykinesia, or slowing of movements, becomes very noticeable.
By stage 4 it is impossible to live alone as daily tasks can no longer be performed. Oddly enough, one of the positive changes noticed will be the decrease in tremors and shaking. It is not known why this occurs at this stage; but, it is very common for the tremors to lessen or even stop.

Stage Five – The Final Stage: During the final stages the person will require 24/7 one on one care and nursing skills. By stage 5, hospice care for late stage Parkinson’s is a necessity and will help everyone involved with the acceptance of the final stage of the disease.
Our trained hospice providers will guide you through these final stages. Our goal is to focus on the patient and the family unit as a whole.

Hospice Care for Late Stage Parkinson’s

There are a number of reasons why choosing to have home health care services for Parkinson patients is one of the best options. Hospice care for late stage Parkinson’s is extremely important.

• End of Life – 40% of those who were in a long term care facility died alone without a family member being with them. Every person in the study listed^[1] who had in home health care and hospice had at least 1 significant family member or loved one with them at the time of their passing.
• Satisfaction – 83% of those who utilized hospice were satisfied to highly satisfied with their experience. They cited their satisfaction with the ability to handle the extreme grief and handling of the symptoms of the disease as two of the main reasons for being appreciative with the care received.
• Focus – Hospice care for late stage Parkinson’s focuses on comfort care, symptom care, grief counseling and acceptance. Maintaining a level of understanding and comfort for both the patient and their loved ones is a primary goal.

We can see the importance of a loved one remaining at home as they battle PD, especially as they move towards the final stages of the disease. Above & Beyond Home Health Care can be there for you with professional hospice care for late stage Parkinson’s so you know that your loved one is provided for with the best care possible.

Cited Works:

“End of Life Care for a Person with Parkinson Disease” Presentation in PPT – Recent Research & Clinical Implications, Dept. of Education Presentation, Washington, DC

[1] “End of Life Care for a Person with Parkinson Disease” – Dept. of Education

Photo by OakleyOriginals