Parkinson's-Disease-Awareness-Month-north-star-senior-advisors

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April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and this year, we want to raise awareness about not only about Parkinson’s disease but also all of the available resources to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). So, North Star Senior Advisors sat down with Tori Clay & Mia Watler, two amazing social workers with the Parkinson’s Movement Disorder Program (PMDOP) through Advent Health to discuss common misconceptions and how to find help. Questions include:

  • Is Parkinson’s Disease curable?
  • What is important in finding a proper diagnosis?
  • How can I prepare to manage PD as a caregiver or patient?
  • What organizations should I be aware of along my PD journey?

To view the video, please click here or watch below. 

 

Who does the PMDOP service? Both patients & caregivers surrounding the following illnesses:

  • Parkinson’s Disease & other Parkinsonism’s (MSA, PSP, etc.)
  • Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Frontal Temporal Dementia, MCI, Etc.

WHAT does the PMDOP do? They provide the following services AT NO CHARGE:

  • Crisis counseling (Support through major diagnoses or life changes)
  • Long term care planning
  • Referrals to community resources and providers
  • Illness education and support
  • Variety of support groups

If you or someone you know has PD and would like more information or simply need support, feel free to reach out to Tori or Mia at 407-303-5295 or email ORL.Parkinson@adventhealth.com.

 

What if my loved one needs more support?

Every person’s experience is different so it is ultimately up to you and your loved one to decide what is best but with the right tools and knowledge, your loved one can still have a wonderful qualify of life throughout their Parkinson’s Disease journey.  A great option to consider is assisted living or memory care communities if your loved one may need extra support throughout their day. If they are able to manage on their own or have a dedicated caregiver, then that is ideal. But, if they don’t or the caregiver is overwhelmed and starting to experience caregiver burnout, senior living communities can offer peace of mind to the individual needing care and their loved ones.

The biggest way to tell if it is time to move your loved one into assisted living or memory care is if they are no longer safe living at home. If they are experiencing frequent falls, not receiving the right nutrition, not able to maneuver through the home, or are wandering outside of the home and getting lost are all signs. If their Parkinson’s Disease is causing any of this, it’s important to recognize it before a crisis were to occur.

 

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living care has evolved since our grandparents were faced with moving their loved ones into a facility. As a matter of fact, the term “facility” is rarely used these days as the word has been replaced with “Senior Living Community.” In today’s day in age where we are seeing baby boomers retire in record numbers, we may now notice a trend of seniors moving into these communities more often than before.

Assisted Living is a part of long-term care services that provides a combination of housing and personal care as well as healthcare. It’s great for seniors who can no longer live on their own and need help with their personal and healthcare tasks of everyday life, sometimes called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This includes Bathing, Dressing, Toileting (incontinence care), and Transferring (to or from bed or chair).

This level of care also makes it easier for residents to socialize with their peers. There are plenty of common areas where people can gather as well as structured activities like games, cultural events, dancing, outings, and more. More and more seniors are looking to move into these very modern and lavish communities for these reasons plus three gourmet prepared meals are provided every day. There are also several amenities offered such as a salon, pool, game room, spa room, you name it!

 

What is Memory Care?

Memory Care is a specialized assisted living community that has trained staff to care for those with memory impairments. Typically, a person with Dementia needs help with activities of daily living, constant supervision, and a secured environment with other residents with a similar diagnosis. Memory Care communities typically have 24-hour awake staff for those residents who are up at night, specially designed units, or what some communities call neighborhoods that are easy for residents to navigate as well as specialized activities that help with cognitive abilities and oftentimes helps delay the disease progression.

Someone with Parkinson’s Disease may not need memory care and can reside in assisted living, but the biggest difference is that in memory care, it is a secure environment with more staff so if you think you or your loved one needs more support, memory care may be best. The senior living community will perform an assessment to determine which is better but it’s good to be educated on both.

 

Have a Senior Advisor Guide You Every Step of the Way

Finding the perfect new home and navigating through your loved ones Parkinson’s Disease journey can be hard but it doesn’t have to be, even during this pandemic. North Star Senior Advisors will work as your advocate, educate and guide you to Parkinson’s Disease resources such as the resources above, narrow down search options, save you time by eliminating inappropriate communities, and also find a senior living community within your budget. We are not biased! We give you options. You choose the community that you feel your loved one will feel most at home.

Established in 2014, North Star Senior Advisors offers FREE support and guidance through your transition into senior living. We’ll explain the process, provide an overview of senior living communities and accompany you on tours to ensure that you find that perfect new home in Lake, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Volusia Counties! We never charge a fee to families! We are paid by the assisted living or memory care community that you choose.

Assisted Living communities in Florida and memory care communities in Orlando are numerous, and the task of finding your loved one the ideal new home environment can be stressful. Our complimentary and personalized service eliminates the stress of searching for multiple communities on your own.

Call us today to get started at 407-796-1582 or visit our Video Gallery full of educational topics like the one below for seniors and their families. You may also request a consultation today and have a senior living advisor reach you at your convenience.

 

About the author : Veronica Quiñones

headshot of Veronica Quiñones

Owner and Senior Advisor

Parkinson's-Disease-Awareness-Month-north-star-senior-advisors

Share this article on social media!

April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and this year, we want to raise awareness about not only about Parkinson’s disease but also all of the available resources to make life better for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). So, North Star Senior Advisors sat down with Tori Clay & Mia Watler, two amazing social workers with the Parkinson’s Movement Disorder Program (PMDOP) through Advent Health to discuss common misconceptions and how to find help. Questions include:

  • Is Parkinson’s Disease curable?
  • What is important in finding a proper diagnosis?
  • How can I prepare to manage PD as a caregiver or patient?
  • What organizations should I be aware of along my PD journey?

To view the video, please click here or watch below. 

 

Who does the PMDOP service? Both patients & caregivers surrounding the following illnesses:

  • Parkinson’s Disease & other Parkinsonism’s (MSA, PSP, etc.)
  • Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Frontal Temporal Dementia, MCI, Etc.

WHAT does the PMDOP do? They provide the following services AT NO CHARGE:

  • Crisis counseling (Support through major diagnoses or life changes)
  • Long term care planning
  • Referrals to community resources and providers
  • Illness education and support
  • Variety of support groups

If you or someone you know has PD and would like more information or simply need support, feel free to reach out to Tori or Mia at 407-303-5295 or email ORL.Parkinson@adventhealth.com.

 

What if my loved one needs more support?

Every person’s experience is different so it is ultimately up to you and your loved one to decide what is best but with the right tools and knowledge, your loved one can still have a wonderful qualify of life throughout their Parkinson’s Disease journey.  A great option to consider is assisted living or memory care communities if your loved one may need extra support throughout their day. If they are able to manage on their own or have a dedicated caregiver, then that is ideal. But, if they don’t or the caregiver is overwhelmed and starting to experience caregiver burnout, senior living communities can offer peace of mind to the individual needing care and their loved ones.

The biggest way to tell if it is time to move your loved one into assisted living or memory care is if they are no longer safe living at home. If they are experiencing frequent falls, not receiving the right nutrition, not able to maneuver through the home, or are wandering outside of the home and getting lost are all signs. If their Parkinson’s Disease is causing any of this, it’s important to recognize it before a crisis were to occur.

 

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living care has evolved since our grandparents were faced with moving their loved ones into a facility. As a matter of fact, the term “facility” is rarely used these days as the word has been replaced with “Senior Living Community.” In today’s day in age where we are seeing baby boomers retire in record numbers, we may now notice a trend of seniors moving into these communities more often than before.

Assisted Living is a part of long-term care services that provides a combination of housing and personal care as well as healthcare. It’s great for seniors who can no longer live on their own and need help with their personal and healthcare tasks of everyday life, sometimes called Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This includes Bathing, Dressing, Toileting (incontinence care), and Transferring (to or from bed or chair).

This level of care also makes it easier for residents to socialize with their peers. There are plenty of common areas where people can gather as well as structured activities like games, cultural events, dancing, outings, and more. More and more seniors are looking to move into these very modern and lavish communities for these reasons plus three gourmet prepared meals are provided every day. There are also several amenities offered such as a salon, pool, game room, spa room, you name it!

 

What is Memory Care?

Memory Care is a specialized assisted living community that has trained staff to care for those with memory impairments. Typically, a person with Dementia needs help with activities of daily living, constant supervision, and a secured environment with other residents with a similar diagnosis. Memory Care communities typically have 24-hour awake staff for those residents who are up at night, specially designed units, or what some communities call neighborhoods that are easy for residents to navigate as well as specialized activities that help with cognitive abilities and oftentimes helps delay the disease progression.

Someone with Parkinson’s Disease may not need memory care and can reside in assisted living, but the biggest difference is that in memory care, it is a secure environment with more staff so if you think you or your loved one needs more support, memory care may be best. The senior living community will perform an assessment to determine which is better but it’s good to be educated on both.

 

Have a Senior Advisor Guide You Every Step of the Way

Finding the perfect new home and navigating through your loved ones Parkinson’s Disease journey can be hard but it doesn’t have to be, even during this pandemic. North Star Senior Advisors will work as your advocate, educate and guide you to Parkinson’s Disease resources such as the resources above, narrow down search options, save you time by eliminating inappropriate communities, and also find a senior living community within your budget. We are not biased! We give you options. You choose the community that you feel your loved one will feel most at home.

Established in 2014, North Star Senior Advisors offers FREE support and guidance through your transition into senior living. We’ll explain the process, provide an overview of senior living communities and accompany you on tours to ensure that you find that perfect new home in Lake, Seminole, Orange, Osceola, and Volusia Counties! We never charge a fee to families! We are paid by the assisted living or memory care community that you choose.

Assisted Living communities in Florida and memory care communities in Orlando are numerous, and the task of finding your loved one the ideal new home environment can be stressful. Our complimentary and personalized service eliminates the stress of searching for multiple communities on your own.

Call us today to get started at 407-796-1582 or visit our Video Gallery full of educational topics like the one below for seniors and their families. You may also request a consultation today and have a senior living advisor reach you at your convenience.

 

Article by:

Veronica Quiñones

Owner and Senior Advisor

headshot of Veronica Quiñones