PD and Depression

[mymomhaspd]

My mama has had PD for over 15 years and a fall a few years ago , with a C2 fracture put her on bed .

The thing is that the doctors gave up on her. She had a nasal tube for 4 months which messed up her swallowing and hence her speech . I remember even after the accident in the hospital she was talking away .. but no they said the fracture will never get better. Put her on hospice , but guess what no doctor is bigger than the than the big guy up there and her fracture did heal. But due to the fact she was on bed , she developed contractures and so we have been suffering thru so many things which could perhaps have been avoided .. but such is life.

I moved my parents here two years ago, but the contractures were already formed , so the damage was done . I do have the caregivers give her a massage and do her light stretching - and i do it whenever i can too. I even have a speech therapist come home to give her stim therapy to improve the vocal chords.

My ques is, how do folks find good at home therapists , it has to be more like neuro therapist ? Any idea ?

There is also a component of depression. Of course for someone who was bubbly and sorrounded by people all her life, if not in person then via the phone , its a completely diff life. My dad is wonderful but not a talker and i work during the day , I think she is already taking something for depression , but do you think we should up that or take an alternative route?

I am giving her NAC, ALA, ALC - got a blood test by my neuro and he said to up the vitamin D . Of course I understand that the main reason for the depression is the state in which she is and her inability to communicate , Covid created isolation and my 3 level house (where we cant bring her down without any help did not help).

What should i do ?> Please advise .. it breaks my heart to see her this way .

Thank you

-j

[ddmagee1]

Really sorry to hear about this! As a person who has PD, and apathy, and depression, I sure can relate! Communicating in this Health Unlocked forum, helps me greatly. I get support from fellow sufferers of PD, who have experienced the same type of difficulties, that I have! This forum, actually, helps me the most!! I had a L-3(( crushing fracture, back in 1976, that gives me trouble, and pain, every day of my life! When one combines that with PD, there are, indeed, difficult times! Home care therapists can be very helpful!. My Mom had them, when she had an injured back ( at 90 years old ). They encouraged her, and incrementally got her moving more, and helped to lift her depression! They did NOT give up on her! So, my advice, would be, to try that, if you can afford to! When my Mom perked up, and responded well, I was extremely pleased, and made me feel so relieved! Good luck, and take care! Wishing you, and your Mom, the best!!