Huntington’s disease is a progressive, inherited neurological condition affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 people in the UK.
It is caused by a faulty gene on chromosome 4, and those with a parent who carries the gene have a 50% chance of inheriting it and developing the disease.
There is currently no cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms and around 7,000 people in the UK are living with Huntington’s Disease.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms, which typically appear between the ages of 30 and 50, include movement problems, cognitive decline, and psychiatric or behavioural changes.
- Movement: Involuntary movements (chorea), muscle stiffness (rigidity), slow or jerky movements (bradykinesia), and balance problems.
- Cognitive: Difficulty with thinking, concentrating, and memory.
- Behavioural: Changes in personality, mood swings, depression, apathy, irritability, and aggression.
Progression:
Symptoms typically worsen over time, leading to increasing difficulties with movement, communication, swallowing, and cognitive function.
Inheritance:
It is an autosomal dominant condition, meaning a child of someone with Huntington’s disease has a 50% chance of inheriting the faulty gene.
How we can help
The progressive nature of Huntington’s disease means that a tailored approach to care provision is crucial.
At Synergy, we are enabled to evolve our care packages over time to meet the changing needs of clients.
We ensure we build our complex care in the home around the symptoms, needs, wishes and chosen lifestyle of each client with Huntington’s disease to create bespoke care designed to maximise independence and quality of life.
Our experienced carers pay close attention to the way that Huntington’s disease affects the client at present.
We then prepare for how it might progress and what action might need to be taken in the future.
Get in contact with the team at Synergy Complex Care so we can help care for your loved one with Huntington’s disease.