1. See to Nutritional Needs
Huntington's disease has a drastic effect on a person's metabolism. Someone with the condition will burn calories at a much higher rate--often as many as 5,000 a day--which makes proper feeding absolutely essential. Consult a nutritionist to develop a healthy meal plan for someone with Huntington's disease. Look into high-calorie diets that provide a good mixture of vitamins and minerals, and use supplements or pills to address any deficiencies. Because people with Huntington's disease may have trouble with muscle control, you should set aside extra time for meals. Look into spill-proof cups and dishes to cut down on possible messes. Choking can be a concern in the later stages of the condition, but can be prevented by cutting food up or pureeing it into a liquid form.
2. Monitor Medication Intake
Doctors can prescribe a number of medications to treat the symptoms of Huntington's disease. In advanced stages, that can include antipsychotic medications to stem the effects of dementia or mental imbalance. Less drastic medications can include tranquilizers and neuroleptic drugs to control involuntary movements, while antidepressants can stabilize a patient's emotional state. Because a number of different medications may be involved, it is important that you monitor them carefully and never mix medications unless the prescribing doctor specifically clears it. In addition, suicide can sometimes be a risk for people with Huntington's disease. Keep careful track of any household medication and take steps to secure it if you feel there is a danger.
3. Maintain a Regular Exercise Schedule
Exercise helps keep people with Huntington's disease active and alert, as well as allowing them to better cope with the physical symptoms of the condition. Set aside a location for exercising that is free of sharp corners or hard objects. If motor control is a significant problem, you may want to provide the patient with a helmet and other types of padding, and monitor him while he exercises. A good physical therapist can recommend specific exercises to help assist with balance, build strength and improve flexibility.
4. Look Into Speech Therapy
Communication is essential to coping with Huntington's disease, which makes speech therapy an important part of any treatment. The condition can affect verbal skills both by restricting the thought process--making it harder to construct sentences--and by physically interfering with the muscles in the mouth and throat. Speech therapy can help address those problems and allow the patient to communicate better. For your part, it helps to be aware and cognizant of what the patient is trying to say, and remember that she can likely still understand you, even if she doesn't respond.
5. Provide a Safe and Active Home Environment
An occupational therapist can identify potential danger areas in your home and recommend ways to avoid accidents. You should always rig your home for safety and provide adequate access to important areas like the bathroom. In addition, a household environment should encourage the patient's independence and allow him to contribute as much as possible to his own care. You can label drawers and cabinets with their contents to remind him of what goes where, leave lists of things to do using simple and direct language, and provide ways of engaging him to help keep his cognitive skills strong. Occupational therapists can make suggestions in this arena as well, based on the particular needs of your loved one.
