Whilst being fairly rare, Huntington’s disease can have a big impact on the individuals that it affects, as well as their families.
Huntington’s disease affects approximately eight in every 100,000 individuals across the UK and generally runs in families.
How does Huntington’s disease affect people?
Huntington’s is caused by a gene which results in damage to parts of the brain, which gradually worsens over time.
Generally, symptoms usually start between the ages of 30 to 50 and can impact both men and women.
Depending on the areas of the brain that become damaged, Huntington’s disease can result in issues with movement, communication, behaviour and mental health.
Some early signs of Huntington’s disease include difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, depression, clumsiness and mood swings.
However, as the disease develops, daily activities can become more challenging, meaning that full-time nursing care may be required.
What support is needed?
Due to the unique and progressive nature of Huntington’s disease, each individual will have different needs.
Due to this, taking a proactive, tailored approach to care is critical.
As stated, full-time care may be required as the disease progresses. So, being able to adapt the plan as needs increase is critical.
At Almond Care, we ensure that a holistic approach is taken with each client so that all of their needs are met.
For Huntington’s disease, this could range from assistance with feeding and hygiene to ventilation in the later stages of the disease.
Do you or one of your loved ones need support? Get in touch for a free, no-obligation discussion about our complex care.
