April Is Parkinson's Awareness Month

What Is Bradykinesia? 
Difficulty Walking, Balance and Coordination

Parkinson's Disease Therapy Includes Riding Bicycles

Have you noticed one of these four symptoms in your loved one?  Does their hand tremble or shake during resting.  Are they excessively slower when walking with assistance.  Have you noticed slight changes over the course of several weeks? Sometimes caregivers and or family members will miss the symptoms because they are actively caring for a loved one.  It is crucial to keep wellness appointments with their physicians.  Anything that isn't in the normal should be checked out.  

Parkinson's Disease can cause impaired balance, and one fall too many could end that person up in the hospital with a broken hip, or head injury common in the elderly.  If you have reoccurrences of your loved one falling in a nursing home, home or assisted living, it's something you will want to report to their physician. Some medications may also cause weakness, confusion, or drowsiness.  Ask your pharmacist about medications and side effects, when continuing or discontinuing any new medications. 

It is estimated that over 200,000 cases of Parkinson's Disease is diagnosed per year.  Most prevalent in age 60 or older and in the male population. It is classified as a progressive chronic illness. 
Four Symptoms with Parkinson's Disease

• Tremor (trembling) in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
• Stiffness of the limbs and trunk increased rigidity 
• Slowness of movement - muscular or generalized weakness
• Impaired balance and coordination, that may lead to falls

Tremors with Slow Movements 2 symptoms of Parkinson's Disease