Most cases of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is often diagnosed in childhood. The root causes are always weakening or atrophy of muscles around the spine that lead to a weakness that impacts mobility, breathing, and swallowing.

Some people end up needing to use a wheelchair. It comes down to the type of SMA. There are several types:

• 1 – Diagnosed in infancy and may require a feeding tube and breathing assistance.
• 2 – Diagnosed by the second birthday and often requires a wheelchair for mobility.
• 3 – Diagnosed after the age of three but usually before adulthood and limits mobility.
• 4 – Often diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 35 with symptoms starting mild and affecting some mobility.
• Distal SMA – A rare genetic form that impacts the function of the feet and hands.
• Kennedy’s Disease – Often diagnosed by the age of 50 and affects speech, swallowing, and muscle atrophy.
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy Respiratory Distress – A rare form of SMA that’s linked to type 1 and targets the upper portion of the spinal cord and respiratory function.

If your dad has SMA, he will need help around the home. If he needs a wheelchair, someone needs to be around to assist him as he gets in and out of the shower, bed, or sofa/chair. He may need help with meals, eating, and household cleaning tasks.

Elderly Care Services That Help With SMA

Transfers and ambulation are one of the most important services for someone with SMA. Your dad may need help getting out of bed and into a wheelchair. If he’s able to walk at all, someone needs to support him while he moves from room to room. He also needs help with bathing and toileting.

Meals may be hard for him to manage on his own. He can’t reach the stove from his wheelchair if his home has not been adapted to meet his needs in a wheelchair. He may not have the muscle strength to feed himself.

He has to have a caregiver to drive him around. He’ll need someone available to take him to medical offices, stores, and public buildings like museums or town offices.

Consider Your Own Needs for Time Off and Breaks

It’s okay to admit you need help caring for a parent with SMA. You’re overwhelmed trying to keep up with your job duties, family needs, and household responsibilities. Elderly care services will be there to help your dad and allow you to focus on other tasks.

Don’t overlook your needs to socialize and burn off steam. With elderly care aides taking over, go out, have fun, and know your dad is cared for in your absence.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Elder Care in Pleasant Hill, CA, contact the friendly staff at Home Care Professionals today.
Call (866)-940-4855

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andy@hcprosonline.com

CEO at HomeCare Professionals

Andy Howardis a Bay Area Native who holds a BA in Political Science (University of Colorado at Boulder, ’97). After college Andy worked in the surging tech industry.His Grandmother however, would suffer a significant decline in health and ultimately needed in-home care. The experience of a loved one depending on outside help to age in place proved to be pivotal for Andy as he left the tech industry in 2002 for an opportunity in the home care world with a large provider. After having success in home care, but being frustrated by corporate constraints Andy founded HomeCare Professionals in 2005.He methodically built the company one client at a time by focusing on hiring quality caregivers to ensure positive outcomes. Currently Andy serves as the CEO of HomeCare Professionals and is also highly active in the non-profit organization California Association of Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) which advocates for a higher standard of in-home care for those who wish to remain living at home in California.

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