Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) by nature is rarely seen, and it is a neurological disorder. It is known to primarily affect the muscles, leading to spasms and stiffness, making movement difficult. SPS can develop at any age, but when it happens to elderly patients, it becomes more challenging to manage due to age-related mobility issues and the risk of falls.
And in these cases, it is crucial for the families and primary caregivers to understand the condition and access professional support. Here, domiciliary care agencies play a vital role in offering this professional support and in-home care for seniors diagnosed with SPS. Let’s know more about it.
Domiciliary Care Agencies & Their Role in Managing SPS
Symptoms of SPS are known to usually develop in people aged between 20 and 60, mostly who are in their 30s and 40s. Therefore, your loved one also has chances to experience it, and when they do, do not leave them on their own. Make their life better with carers who stand by them even when you are not able to. Here are more details on what it is and why it needs special supervision and care.
What is Stiff Person Syndrome?
Stiff Person Syndrome is marked by increasingly stiff muscle tone and painful spasms, typically triggered by sudden movements or emotional distress. Over time, the disorder can produce a “rigid” posture and impede the ability to move (ambulate), making it challenging to perform activities of daily living, such as dressing, bathing, and walking. For older adults, SPS can exacerbate the natural decline in balance and muscle strength, which can increase the risk for injury and social isolation.
Challenges of SPS in the Elderly
Elderly people with SPS encounter physical, emotional, and social issues. Muscle rigidity makes even simple tasks exhausting, spasms may disturb sleep or cause anxiety, and diminished mobility inhibits social interaction and fosters loneliness. Complex medication schedules and symptom monitoring may be required for treating SPS. Quality of life would considerably diminish without support in managing these issues.
The Role of Domiciliary Care Agencies
Domiciliary care agencies in Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, and Bromley specialise in providing professional care in the comfort of a patient’s home. For elderly individuals with SPS, these agencies offer practical and emotional support tailored to their specific needs. Caregivers can assist with daily activities such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, and mobility, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. They also help implement strategies recommended by physiotherapists, such as gentle stretching exercises to maintain flexibility and prevent stiffness.
Personalised Care Plans
One of the key benefits of domiciliary care services is the creation of personalised care plans. Each elderly patient with SPS may experience symptoms differently, and home care can adapt accordingly. Agencies coordinate with healthcare professionals to ensure medications are administered correctly, monitor for side effects, and report any changes in condition. This proactive approach helps maintain stability and allows elderly patients to remain independent for longer.
Emotional and Social Support
It can be lonely to have a rare illness like SPS. In addition to offering physical support, domiciliary care centres also offer emotional support. In addition to encouraging communication with family members and involving patients in social and recreational activities, caregivers also assist in lowering anxiety levels related to spasms or abrupt stiffness. This all-encompassing strategy enhances general wellbeing and creates a feeling of safety in the household.
Read our other blog here to know more about how domiciliary care services help manage geriatric polypharmacy.
Benefits of Home Care Over Institutional Care
For older SPS patients, care at home is highly beneficial. Home surroundings minimise stress and disorientation, and care from an individual ensures response and consistency. Domiciliary care at home is flexible, permitting continuation of patients’ routines and a level of autonomy not perhaps available in institutional settings.
Conclusion
Stiff Person Syndrome is a problem in itself. And in elderly people, it brings more unique challenges, ranging from physical rigidity to even emotional strain. In these situations, domiciliary care agencies provide tailored services by addressing both the medical and personal needs of SPS patients. They offer carers who assist with mobility, medication management, daily activities, and emotional wellbeing, empowering them to live safely and comfortably at home.
If you are struggling with the complexities of SPS, hire professional home care services from agencies like Priory Care Services. Because certified carers will ensure that your loved ones receive compassionate and appropriate care every day!
