Archive for May, 2008

Potential Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

Friday, May 30th, 2008

According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, about 1.5 million Americans suffer with Parkinson’s. It is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder. Most patients affected with it are over 50, and it impacts slightly more men than women and more whites than blacks.

Nerve cells in a normal brain produce the chemical dopamine. Dopamine transmits signals to the brain that produce the smooth movement of muscles. Most people with Parkinson’s have damaged or dead dopamine-producing cells. Nerve cells are caused to fire wildly, which leaves patients unable to control their movements.

One of the primary drugs used in treatment is levodopa. It is often used in conjunction with carbidopa. Though not perfect, this combination of drugs can be very effective. In 1998, the FDA approved a brain “pacemaker” to help control tremors. A surgical option is a brain operation that has shown itself to be helpful for some Parkinson’s patients. It is called pallidotomy. A tiny electric probe is used to destroy a portion of the globus pallidus, which experts think is overactive in people with Parkinson’s. Studies have shown that this surgery’s effects are often temporary—lasting about two years.

Another brain surgery that offers some hope for treatment involves surgically implanting electrodes to stimulate the part of the brain that is related to impulsivity. When successful, people with the disease are able to reduce their medication intake by more than 60%. Exact placement of the electrodes is vital. A few millimeters can be the difference between success and failure.

An additional avenue of exploration involves implanting specialized cells, not to be confused with stem cells, found in the human eye into areas of the brain that have suffered damage because of Parkinson’s. This treatment is called Spheramine and in its early trials has shown improvement in symptoms with only one significant side effect—a headache.

Click on this link for more information on Parkinson’s Disease…Senior Health Care for the Denver Colorado Metro Area.

Gerri Tyber, Operations Manager
Barton Home Care

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When Do You Need Home Care for an Elder in Your Life?

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

Most families with an elder in their life come to a juncture when their concerns about that elder’s safety increase. Especially for those elders who are still living independently. Telltale signs may indicate that the elder is no longer in command of their activities of daily living. We have a checklist available to help those families ascertain whether or not they should intervene for the safety and comfort of their elder.

Click on this link for the checklist … Need for Elder Services.

Tom Barton

Owner, Barton Home Care

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Home Hospice Care

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

Hospice, whose origination dates back centuries, is providing compassionate and humane care for individuals in the final throes of incurable diseases. It used to imply a place of rest or shelter (hospitality) for tired and sick travelers who had embarked on long journeys. Now it is more of a philosophy of care. It is defined by services and care provided in addition to the setting in which they are provided—your home or a selected hospice facility.

There are many options to consider before making a decision that will work best for your family. If home hospice care is chosen, someone will need to be available on a 24-hour basis. Obviously, this is an exhausting scenario. Relatives and close friends may supply some needed respite, but often additional help is needed to handle around-the-clock needs or possible crises. Home hospice generally costs less than hospital-based or long-term care facilities. Families often opt to keep their family member in a familiar setting. Often they seek help from in-home companion care companies like Barton Home Care. If you are faced with such a selection, you will find there are many considerations to be made before choosing home health care to offer assistance.

Medicare, Medicaid, most private insurance plans, HMO’s and the Department of Veterans Affairs will often pay for hospice care. Some services are provided at no charge to patients who are unable to pay for them. Medicare hospice benefits are available when a doctor and the hospice medical director, who is also a physician, determine that a patient has less than six months to live.

Gerri Tyber, Operations Manager
Barton Home Care

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