After caring for people with Huntington’s Disease (HD) at ArchCare for many decades, we’ve learned that supporting a person’s safety and well-being comes down to teamwork and the right therapies. Since there’s no cure or way to slow HD, our main goal is to help manage symptoms, keep people as active as possible, and improve their quality of life.
Below, we share what works best for advanced care and specialized therapies in our Huntington’s Disease nursing home facility, Ferncliff, in Rhinebeck, New York.
We see two main categories available: advanced care and specialized therapies.
For advanced care management, your loved one can work directly with:
- Nutritionists for healthy habits
- Neurologists to address HD progression
- Psychiatrists for mood management
- Occupational therapists for healthy living habits
- And speech therapists for swallowing and communication support as needed.
Nutritional Support
People with HD often lose weight because they move more and burn more calories. Therapy can help improve their swallowing and eating so they get enough nutrition. Dietitians on site might suggest extra calories, vitamins, or easier-to-swallow foods. Nursing home caregivers can offer small meals and snacks more often, help with feeding, and give gentle reminders about when to eat.
Neurologists
With HD progression, memory and thinking skills can struggle over time. We use quiet environments, simple steps, and repetition. Caregivers use lists, calendars, and notes to help break tasks down into small, manageable steps.
With practice, we’ve learned that reducing distractions and speaking in short, clear sentences makes a big difference. Extra compassion, patience, and understanding help everyone involved.
Psychiatrists
Treating mood changes, depression, and anxiety with on-site access to psychiatry is a crucial part of our care plan. The Ferncliff facility is a serene, idyllic, and calm environment that promotes overall wellness. Over time, we can begin to understand individual triggers and rely on medicine when needed.
Physical Therapy (PT)
Physical therapy can help build strength, balance, and flexibility. Gentle exercises, walking, and simple fitness activities boost mood and help reduce stress.
Therapists focus on maintaining existing movement skills.
They work on safe walking, relaxation exercises, and becoming more aware of the body’s position. PT helps keep people safe and comfortable with special chairs or cushions that prevent falls and help control shaky movements. PT sets goals like sitting upright at the table.
These goals help people stay safer and more independent.
Occupational Therapy (OT)
OT helps with everyday tasks, like getting dressed, by setting clear routines and using labels to make things easier to find and understand. OT focuses on safety, like preventing injuries from falls or other types of accidents.
Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists help with speaking and swallowing problems. They may recommend to change how food is prepared—like using softer textures or special cups—to prevent choking. In later stages, they might recommend communication boards, picture cards, or electronic devices so the person can still communicate their needs.
Everyone works together to manage symptoms and make the nursing home a safe and supportive environment.
By using these therapies and approaches, we help people with HD stay safe, comfortable, and as happy as possible throughout the disease.
Our team organized the specialized therapy and advanced care information for you to download as a reference. Download Specialized Therapy and Advanced Care Huntington’s Disease Management information.
If your family is considering a facility for Huntington’s Disease care services, please call 855-951-2273 (CARE) or contact us for more information.