Parkinson's Paper

det01 · Mar 13, 2006

how about taking medications for one...

the hand shaking can make that harder for them...

then there is self-esteem

doing ADLs

educating them on the dz process

there are others, that was just a few off the top of my head w/o any aid from my books

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2006

Parkinson's starts out causing a slowing of people's movements and impairing their equilibrium. As it progresses they become progressively disabled to the point of becoming invalids that require almost total care by others. One nursing implication/intervention would be to maintain their safety if they are still mobile. So, depending on how the disease has affected them, they may need a walker to steady them when walking. The implication would be to prevent them from injury while maintaining their sense of independence and self-esteem.

I was thinking of Michael J. Fox who is now living with Parkinson's. One thing that has been very noticeable is that his speech is slowed. He is also developing the masklike facial appearance as he loses the ability to make finite facial expressions that help us communicate the emotional context of our speech. So, people around him will have to be patient and give him time to get his words out as he cannot speak as spontaneously as he used to. That is a nursing intervention.

LWildman · Mar 13, 2006

Thank you! I am printing these out to think about.

crb613, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2006

My MIL has Parkinson's, & it is a horrible disease. She went from being a very active person to now not being able to walk/stand, feed herself, has no bladder or bowel control, and can talk only at a wisper. She is so rigid that her neck will not relax, and her head is drawn toward her chest. When she is in bed ( which is most of the time) she can't even lay her head back, & we stack pillows to give her some support. Just imagine being frozen....you can hear, move your eyes, and speak a little, but nothing else works.We cared for her at home as long as we could, but she is now in a nursing home. The weekend before she went to the nsg home I was cleaning her up and she said "I am so sorry you have to do these things for me". How sad is that? I am telling you these things in order to give you some insight into this disease, & to show a human emotion attached to it. When caring for these people give them time to speak, eat, provide dignity, and emotional support. Good luck on your paper.

allthingsbright · Mar 13, 2006

My MIL has Parkinson's, & it is a horrible disease. She went from being a very active person to now not being able to walk/stand, feed herself, has no bladder or bowel control, and can talk only at a wisper. She is so rigid that her neck will not relax, and her head is drawn toward her chest. When she is in bed ( which is most of the time) she can't even lay her head back, & we stack pillows to give her some support. Just imagine being frozen....you can hear, move your eyes, and speak a little, but nothing else works.We cared for her at home as long as we could, but she is now in a nursing home. The weekend before she went to the nsg home I was cleaning her up and she said "I am so sorry you have to do these things for me". How sad is that? I am telling you these things in order to give you some insight into this disease, & to show a human emotion attached to it. When caring for these people give them time to speak, eat, provide dignity, and emotional support. Good luck on your paper.

My grandmother has Parkinsons and it has been really horrible watching her suffer through this disease. She is a shadow of the wonderful, vibrant, cool person that she was just last year. Yet I look at her and see that person...I am able to still look past the disease. What is really sad is that I know she would hate how she "is" right now. I am hoping she just isnt very aware of how bad things are. Anyway...

When you write your paper, you may want to include how this disease effects the whole person and their family. It really is awful!