Huntington's disease care

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a complex condition that requires tailored care.

Discovering that you or a loved one has Huntington’s disease is life-changing and will come as a huge shock. You may feel that residential care is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be.

Our expertly trained care assistants understand the complexity of Huntington’s disease and can provide high-quality care in the comfort and familiarity of home.

From support managing day-to-day symptoms to general household chores our Huntington’s disease care services include:

• Support to manage anxiety and loneliness
• Helping you establish a regular, manageable exercise routine
• Help to prepare meals
• Managing medications and accompanying you to medical appointments
• General household chores such as cleaning, laundry, and shopping
• Support with personal care including toileting and bathing

Our Huntington’s disease care services help you maintain your independence and live the end of your life with dignity, in the comfort of home.

What is Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease is an incurable degenerative disease of the central nervous system, affecting more than 6,000 people in the UK. In 97% of cases, HD is caused by a hereditary gene.

Studies have shown that Huntington’s disease causes parts of the brain to gradually stop working, leading to symptoms including:

• Impaired muscle coordination
• Problems with cognitive functioning
• Issues with memory
• Uncontrollable movements (such as jerking or twitching)
• Depression and anxiety
• Personality changes
• Difficulty swallowing and breathing
• Communication issues (such as difficulty speaking)
• Poor concentration

People with Huntington’s disease may also experience mood swings - feeling excited one moment and aggressive or apathetic the next. In some cases, those living with HD also experience a lack of empathy, making it difficult for them to recognise the needs of friends and family.

Huntington’s disease is an extremely challenging condition that requires varying levels of support as the disease progresses.

At Bluebird Care we’ve got decades of experience supporting people with HD and our friendly care assistants offer tailored support, whenever it’s needed.

Types of Huntington’s Disease Support

Everyone will have a different experience of Huntington’s Disease. As such, it's essential that you receive support tailored to your specific needs and stage of the condition.

We’ll work with you to identify the type of support you need, and how you’d like to receive it. Firstly, we discuss your goals, which may include getting back to work, losing weight, or maintaining social connections. From this, we develop and bespoke care plan, reflecting your needs and wishes.

Our goal is to offer bespoke support, ensuring you can remain in the comfort of your home, surrounded by friends and family.

Huntington’s Disease symptoms change over time. We’ll regularly discuss these changes and amend your care plan to ensure that you’re getting the support you need.

If you’d prefer to receive Huntington’s Disease care in the comfort and familiarity of home, we can help. Contact us today to see how.

You can find out more about HD at the Huntington’s Disease Association and on the NHS website.

*Not all Bluebird Care offices provide this service. Please check with your local office if this service is available.