Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson’s disease. But it’s possible to maintain a good quality of life with the right treatments and lifestyle changes.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The Kensington Sierra Madre and leading movement disorders specialists at Cedars-Sinai and UCLA held an event on April 12 with an engaging discussion on the latest treatments and breakthroughs for Parkinson’s disease.
During the event, our expert speakers Dr. Michele Tagliati of Cedars-Sinai and Dr. Jeff Bronstein of UCLA shared the new definition of the disease and the latest non-surgical interventions.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month: Facts about the disease
Parkinson’s Awareness Month is a chance to increase awareness of the disease, including the symptoms, treatments, and recent breakthroughs.
The Kensington Sierra Madre is proud to partner with the following experts in honor of Parkinson’s Awareness Month:
- Dr. Michele Tagliati, Director of the Movement Disorders Program, Professor of Neurology, and Vice Chair of the Department of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai
- Dr. Jeff Bronstein, Director of Movement Disorders and Professor of Neurology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Dr. Michele Tagliati and Dr. Jeff Bronstein will share their research on Parkinson’s with the Sierra Madre community to help our residents and caregivers gain a deeper understanding of the disease and the possibilities for treating it.
To increase awareness, the following are some facts provided by the Parkinson’s Foundation:
- There is no cure, but there are numerous treatment options available to increase and maintain quality of life
- Medication is the most common treatment option, but surgery, therapy, and lifestyle modifications can help manage the disease
- No two people will have the same symptoms
- Non-movement symptoms can be just as impactful or even more impactful than motor symptoms on quality of life
- Loss of smell and handwriting changes are two early symptoms of Parkinson’s
During our event, the speakers will discuss how a multi-disciplinary approach is best, as well as how the definition of Parkinson’s has evolved to include a greater focus on both motor and non-motor symptoms.
What’s the latest news on Parkinson’s disease?
Research on the causes, treatments, risk factors, and symptoms of Parkinson’s is ongoing and includes genetic research, environmental factors, medications, therapy options, and more.
Experts are also focusing on the “new” definition of Parkinson’s, which includes a larger focus on non-motor symptoms, including:
- Sleep issues
- Difficulty speaking and swallowing
- Cognitive changes
- Hallucinations
- Digestive issues
- Loss of smell
- Vision changes
- Anxiety and depression
Non-motor symptoms often are just as debilitating or even more debilitating than motor symptoms in those with Parkinson’s, so it’s important to increase awareness of the full range of symptoms for better treatment options.
Despite there being no known cure for Parkinson’s yet, the available treatment options have proven to relieve symptoms in many people.
Treatment options include:
- Medications designed to mimic or replenish dopamine levels and other chemicals in the brain
- Surgical options include deep brain stimulation to control motor symptoms
- Non-invasive focused ultrasound, which treats the tremors associated with the disease
Studies have also found that exercise is a helpful treatment for those with Parkinson’s, and physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can significantly help with a person’s overall strength, flexibility, and ability to perform daily activities.
The Kensington Sierra Madre keeps our community informed on the latest Parkinson’s treatments and breakthroughs
The Kensington Sierra Madre frequently partners with leading Parkinson’s disease, movement disorder, and dementia experts to keep our team, residents, and community educated and informed.
We are a reliable resource for our family caregivers, consistently hosting events to support, connect, and lift the community.
Check out the following online caregiver resources for more information:
- Event calendar packed with senior health breakthroughs, caregiver support opportunities, and everyday wellness advice from experts
- Blog with news, event recaps, tips, and more
- Kensington Konnect hub of informative, educational resources for caregivers and previous event recordings, such as our latest on Parkinson’s Disease
We host an ongoing caregiver support group and numerous events with our expert partners.
Contact our team if you’d like to learn more about our community and caregiver resources.
Expert care for our residents with Parkinson’s disease
The Kensington Sierra Madre Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
We offer enhanced assisted living and memory care in the heart of beautiful Sierra Madre, California.
Our expert team specializes in caring for those with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, and we are committed to improving the quality of life for seniors as well as the caregivers who love them.
In our community, seniors can truly “age in place.” We are equipped to offer a full spectrum of care and support, so no matter how a person’s care needs change over time, they have a home with us.
We provide the following services to our residents:
- Specially tailored rehabilitation programs through our partnership with HealthPRO Heritage
- Full calendar of life enrichment activities to promote social and physical activity
- Nutritious, gourmet dining options to accommodate a range of dietary needs and preferences
- Licensed nurses onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Medication administration
- Diabetes injections
- 24-hour emergency care
- Personal care such as dressing, bathing, and toilet assistance
- Specialized memory care backed by Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder, so it can be helpful for seniors and their family caregivers to develop a care plan soon after diagnosis.
This plan may include a combination of family caregivers, in-home assistance, or enhanced assisted living and memory care.
The Kensington Sierra Madre is fully prepared to provide the long-term range of care needed for those with Parkinson’s disease.
Contact our loving team to discover the ways our community is here to support you.