10 Warning Signs of Parkinson’s Disease in Seniors and What You Can Do to Help

As we grow old, there are signs of Parkinson’s Disease that we should all be aware of. Your senior loved one may be experiencing some of these symptoms, so it is essential to know how to care for the person you love who Parkinson’s disease has.

Everyone knows the basics about Parkinson’s Disease – degeneration in a specific area in the brain causing both motor and non-motor symptoms. Many individuals are unaware of the warning indicators and what can happen if left untreated for too long.

Signs of Parkinson’s Disease in Seniors

You need to be aware of the following signs of Parkinson’s Disease in seniors. If your elderly loved one is experiencing any of these warning signs, you must have a professional doctor examine them, but here are some signs to look out for:

1. TREMORS

Tremors are involuntary movements in the hands, arms, legs, face, and head. They are one of the most common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and they can be mild or severe. Tremors can affect one part of the body or several parts simultaneously.

2. RIGID MUSCLES

One of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s is a stiff, rigid feeling. It may feel like you have to force your muscles to work, which can cause pain and discomfort. Stiffness worsens with age and is often accompanied by tremors and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).

You may find that your loved one has difficulty bending and moving their body as they once did. In addition, they may have trouble with fine motor skills like buttoning clothes or writing notes. They might struggle with balance or walking—and even when they usually walk, it may be slow and uncoordinated so as not to fall over or trip on something on the floor that is easily avoidable for other people!

3. SLOWED MOVEMENT

Slowed movement is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, but it is also one of the most common signs of the condition. It can make it hard for you to tell when someone has slowed movement since everybody moves slower as they get older. But, if you notice someone moving more slowly than usual or other changes in their normal behavior, it could be an early warning sign that something serious may be going on.

There are several possible explanations for slowed movement:

• The loss of dopamine in the brain
• Underactive muscles and stiffness caused by rigidity
• Inability to control forces due to tremors
• Loss of balance due to the effects of Parkinson’s
• Falling due to loss of balance
• Slowed movement that is caused by depression or anxiety

4. SWEATING

Sudden sweating and excessive sweating are also common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. While other health conditions can cause these symptoms, they are also signs of Parkinson’s since the person may not be getting hot. Instead, it results from the person’s inability to regulate their body temperature due to the autonomic nervous system changes.

5. POSTURE CHANGES

You may notice changes in the posture of a person with Parkinson’s disease. Their head may tilt to the side, lean their body forward, or hold their arms out to the side. Muscle rigidity, tremors, and bradykinesia may trigger these behaviors.

These are the following posture changes that are common in Parkinson’s disease:

• Slouching
• Hunched posture
• Walking with a stoop
• Lifting hands to the face
• Leaning
• Walking with an abnormal gate
• Unusually high steps
• Excessive hand movements

6. SPEECH CHANGES

Pay attention to your loved one’s speech if you notice any of these warning signs:

1. Slowed speech: Your loved one may speak more slowly or repeat themselves more often than usual.
2. Difficulty swallowing: Note any problems with swallowing. This is a sign of hypokinetic dysarthria.
3. Hard time speaking: This can indicate a speech problem related to rigidity in the muscles controlling the vocal cords.
4. Hard breathing: Your loved one may have trouble breathing while talking. This can be a symptom of a speech disorder caused by Parkinson’s.
5. Easily fatigued: Your loved one may get tired more quickly than usual when speaking or swallowing.

If you notice speech changes in someone, talk to them about it. Parkinson’s can affect the neural pathways that control speech, so your loved one may not realize that they are having trouble.

7. SLEEP CHANGES

If you notice that a senior in your life is experiencing sleep problems, it can be important to rule out other conditions. Sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome are common reasons people can’t fall asleep or stay asleep.

But if the symptoms continue without explanation, Parkinson’s disease may be to blame. As the disease advances, many people experience difficulty staying asleep or having trouble falling asleep in the first place. Their bodies may get stiff at night, and their minds may race with thoughts about their symptoms or worries about tomorrow’s plans. All of this can lead to restlessness during the night and early morning wakefulness—a condition known as REM (rapid eye movement) sleep behavior disorder—that prevents them from getting enough restful shut-eye needed for good health.

8. WRITING CHANGES

If your loved one struggles with handwriting or finds it takes them longer than usual to write notes or letters, there may be a problem. Parkinson’s can affect fine motor skills, which are the skills you use to do detailed work. Any difficulty in this area can affect handwriting.

 These may be the reasons for writing changes:

• Dropping some letters
• Horizontal and vertical letter reversals 
• Writing with an unusual slant
• Unevenly spaced letters 
• Writing on the wrong side of the page
• Writing while moving 
• Sticky or runny ink 
• Shaking to write 
• Trouble holding pen or pencil

9. COGNITIVE CHANGES

Difficulty with planning, attention, and memory are common signs of Parkinson’s disease. If you notice changes in these areas, it may be an early warning sign that something is wrong.

Here are, the signs of cognitive decline include the following:

• Difficulty finding the right word
• Disruption of learning 
• Problem with handling multiple tasks simultaneously 
• Difficulty processing information
• Getting distracted too easily 
• Trouble writing notes or letters 

10. LOSS OF SMELL

If you notice that a senior loved one has difficulty identifying certain smells, it could be Parkinson’s disease. This is a common early symptom of the disease and can begin as early as the person’s late 50s or early 60s.

The olfactory system in the brain is in charge of controlling our sense of smell. When Parkinson’s starts to damage this area, sometimes it can produce anosmia, which means you lose your sense of smell.

Causes of Parkinson’s Disease in the Elderly

Several factors may contribute to Parkinson’s disease in the elderly. Some of these factors are as follows:

1. Heredity: Parkinson’s disease may run in families under some circumstances. This means if a parent has Parkinson’s, you or your child has an increased risk of developing the same condition as they age.
2. Environmental factors: Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as pesticides and herbicides, may increase your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life.
3. Medications: Certain medications such as anti-hypertensives, antipsychotics, and antidepressants can increase your risk of developing Parkinson’s disease if you take them before age 65. 
4. Depression and other psychiatric disorders: Several studies have shown that people with depression and other psychiatric disorders may be at an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
5. Age: Most cases of Parkinson’s disease occur in people who are older than 60 years. They are more likely vulnerable because of the natural changes in the brain that occur as you age.
6. Gender: Males are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than Females.

How To Prevent Parkinson’s Disease

Practicing a healthy lifestyle and staying active can help prevent Parkinson’s disease. There are no surefire ways to avoid the disorder. However, knowing the signs and symptoms and the causes of Parkinson’s disease will help you make the right decisions to prevent it.

It is important to have a doctor and a family member’s permission before starting medications to prevent Parkinson’s disease.

Early detection of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is crucial. If you notice your loved one has mild cognitive problems, it is recommended that you have them evaluated by doctors as soon as possible. 

Final Thoughts

Taking care of yourself is vital for living healthier. This includes diet, exercise, and avoiding hazards. It is better to take action as early as possible if a loved one shows Parkinson’s signs and symptoms. 

Are you having some problems with your memory or speech? Or are your movements slowing down? Worry no more! Serenity Senior Care has a team of trained specialists that can help provide care, therapy, and treatment for cognitive and physical conditions. Our caregivers are trained to provide a quality personalized care so that elderly patients can still lead lives they are proud of.

Today, ask us how we can provide the best care while keeping the entire family involved in your elderly loved one’s health journey. We are here to help you!