Parkinson’s is the second leading disorder affecting older adults; Alzheimer’s being the first. This disease is characterized by motor irregularities that include tremors, slowness, and rigidness. There are not only motor symptoms associated with the disease; there are also non-motor symptoms that include difficulties in the area of cognition, emotions, and sleeping (Eccles, Murray, and Simpson, 2011). Unfortunately, this disease is also a progressive disorder, meaning that as time goes on the symptoms worsen instead of getting better. Parkinson’s also affects a large number of people. Around one million people in the United States have this disorder (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 2015). Researchers have found that patients who
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Biological factors refer to one’s own genetic makeup. While genetic factors may contribute it is believed to be a more rare cause of the disorder. Only around 15 to 25 percent of people with Parkinson report to having a relative also with the disease (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 2015). There has been a link between Parkinson’s and the closeness of the relative to the individual. Those who have a first-degree relative with Parkinson’s have a higher chance of having the disease. In a small amount of cases there is also believed to be a correlation between the disease and a genetic mutation. In order to understand the disease more researchers are still investigating this area in hopes of getting a better understanding of the disease (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, …show more content…
There is changes overtime that the body goes through as the disease progresses or worsens. There are three stages of Parkinson’s. The first stage is by movement disorders but they may not impeded the individual’s daily living. They may also have tremors but only on one side of the body. This is also when friends and loved ones may begin to notice a difference in the individual’s posture, or their gait. The next stage of Parkinson’s is moderate and the symptoms have progressed further along. Now, the tremors affect both sides of the body. The individual begins to move slower and have difficult with their balance. The individual may also have what is called “freezing disorders” where the individual cannot seem to move their feet. The third stage of Parkinson’s has progressed tremendously. An individual in this stage may not have the ability to walk or get out of bed. They would not be able to live alone and need assistance in all of their daily activities (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 2015). As one sees Parkinson’s greatly affects every aspect of the individual’s
Biological factors refer to one’s own genetic makeup. While genetic factors may contribute it is believed to be a more rare cause of the disorder. Only around 15 to 25 percent of people with Parkinson report to having a relative also with the disease (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 2015). There has been a link between Parkinson’s and the closeness of the relative to the individual. Those who have a first-degree relative with Parkinson’s have a higher chance of having the disease. In a small amount of cases there is also believed to be a correlation between the disease and a genetic mutation. In order to understand the disease more researchers are still investigating this area in hopes of getting a better understanding of the disease (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, …show more content…
There is changes overtime that the body goes through as the disease progresses or worsens. There are three stages of Parkinson’s. The first stage is by movement disorders but they may not impeded the individual’s daily living. They may also have tremors but only on one side of the body. This is also when friends and loved ones may begin to notice a difference in the individual’s posture, or their gait. The next stage of Parkinson’s is moderate and the symptoms have progressed further along. Now, the tremors affect both sides of the body. The individual begins to move slower and have difficult with their balance. The individual may also have what is called “freezing disorders” where the individual cannot seem to move their feet. The third stage of Parkinson’s has progressed tremendously. An individual in this stage may not have the ability to walk or get out of bed. They would not be able to live alone and need assistance in all of their daily activities (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 2015). As one sees Parkinson’s greatly affects every aspect of the individual’s