Parkinson’s Disease Helpful Tools

Squatty Potty The Original Bathroom Toilet Stool Slim Teak

• Discreet and easy to stow away

• Helps you achieve a natural squat position and easier bowel movements

• More attractive than plastic stools

• Standard 7 height, not adjustable

• Many customers complain of poor construction and quality

Constipation is one of the common non-movement symptoms of Parkinsons disease, which is why many with the condition could benefit from a toilet stool. The Squatty Potty Slim Teak lifts your feet while sitting on the toilet to mimic a natural squat. While the act of pooping is anything but glamorous, the Squatty Potty has a sleek design that will add to any bathroom decor. Its also easy to clean and tuck away.

Pulse Brands Adaptive Utensils Premium Silverware:

• Prevents shaky hands from affecting the ability to eat independently, making mealtime easier for those with limited grip, weak hands and weak wrists, limited mobility, and trouble with functional movement.
• Non-Slip, Wide Grip: Each of our non-weighted adaptive utensils features a wider ribbed handle with raised, textured grips to improve control and dexterity.
• 4-Piece Set: Every order comes with four eating utensils, including a fork, knife, dinner spoon and a soup spoon. A very helpful set of built up utensils that cover a wide range of meals.
• Built With Durability: Along with a food-grade safe silicone handle, each utensil is made with high quality stainless steel that is dishwasher safe.
• 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! – We are so confident about the quality of our products, we will refund your purchase if you are not satisfied.

Pulse adaptive premium silverware is a beautiful set of cutlery suitable for use by the elderly with weak muscles due to arthritis, tremors, and other conditions. They have an ergonomic design for easy handling and are made of non-slip rubber handles.

Your loved ones will enjoy their meals, which will boost their overall nutrition. In addition, they help stabilize hand movements and control tremors. You will get good value for money by ordering this set which is not only reasonably priced but also made of high-quality stainless steel and silicone.

Pros:

• Slightly lighter for extreme hand tremors.

Best Resources For Parkinson’s

A condition with no cure or treatment to stop its progression, Parkinsons is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Whether you hang a poster, participate in a fundraising event or make a donation, your contribution to Parkinsons Awareness Month makes a difference to the 1.5 million in the U.S. currently living with Parkinsons disease.

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Make Your Loved One’s Life A Little Easier With These Thoughtful Gifts

Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Women’s Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelor’s degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University.

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Parkinsons disease is a progressive disorder that develops as a result of losing dopamine-producing neurons. These cells are mainly located in the part of the brain called substantia nigra pars compacta, explains movement disorders neurologist and Parkinsons expert Lynda Nwabuobi, MD. With degeneration of these cells and hence, depletion of dopamine, Parkinsons disease includes symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia , and rigidity manifest.

This condition can make it more difficult to complete everyday tasks, like moving about the house, putting on clothes, and even speaking. It can be challenging to manage Parkinsons, especially on your own, so having friends and family there to support really can make the difference. Dr. Nwabuobi says its important to remember that Parkinsons is not fatal and many people live full enriched lives with the condition.

Surgery And Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation is a treatment for Parkinsonâs disease that uses an implantable pacemaker-like device to deliver electrical pulses to parts of the brain involved in movement. The DBS system consists of leads precisely inserted into a specific brain target, the neurostimulator implanted in the chest, and extension wires that connect the leads to the neurostimulator. Though implantation of the system requires a neurosurgical procedure, the treatment itself consists of long-term electrical stimulation. Advantages of DBS include its ability to reduce the high doses of medications , its adjustability , and its reversibility DBS was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for PD in 2002 and according to Medtronic , more than 80,000 patients have undergone DBS surgery worldwide.

Typical candidates are those who have motor fluctuations or periods of âoffâ time with troublesome symptoms alternating with periods of âonâ time with good symptom control, and also with possible periods of excessive movement .

Not all patients with Parkinsonâs disease are good candidates for treatment with DBS. Approximately 10â20% of patients considered for possible treatment with DBS include those:

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The Importance Of Web Accessibility For People With Parkinsons Disease

Technology and the Internet have greatly improved the lives of millions of people around the world. However, its important that the designers and creators of this technology make strides to include as many people as possible in their visions.

People with Parkinsons disease experience challenges using the Internet that arent always obvious to people without a motor or cognitive disability. For example, the hand tremors caused by Parkinsons can make it hard for people to use a standard mouse or even a keyboard. The dementia present in some people with Parkinsons can also cause a decline in their capabilities for memory, reasoning, and problem solving.

For people with Parkinsons, interacting with small website elements, or elements that are very close to each other, may be difficult or impossible without accidentally activating the wrong control. As a result, many people with Parkinsons choose to interact with their computer using voice recognition software. They may also use an oversized keyboard or a keyguard, a plastic or metal plate that sits on top of the keyboard and that prevents accidental mistypes.

Key Deliverables And Results

Through regular teleconferences, consortium members discuss field needs and priorities. The consortium has thus far sponsored the creation of eight research tools focused on priority targets, such as alpha-synuclein and parkin. View a full list of MJFF-sponsored research tools, including those supported by the Parkinsons Disease Research Tools Consortium.

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Going To The Bathroom

Navigating the bathroom successfully and safely depends on putting modifications in place. Bathroom assistive devices are available through local trusted companies like Connecticut Surgical Supply or through national distributors like Performance Health/Patterson Medical and include:

• walk-in shower
• shower chair
• mounting bars or handrails in shower and near the toilet. The Versaframe offers armrests to support you when you use the toilet
• non-skid rubber bath mats in shower
• faucets that require only touch to turn on
• motion-activated nightlights

Also, consider wood or linoleum floors, which are safer, and remove loose rugs. Remove threshold strips between rooms in your house as well.

Parkinsons Disease And Wcag 20

Recognizing the challenges posed by impairments such as Parkinsons disease and other disabilities, web accessibility experts have developed the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0. The most widely recognized standard for web accessibility, WCAG 2.0 establishes a set of standards at three different compliance levels that websites must follow in order to call themselves accessible.

WCAG 2.0 includes several metrics that are relevant for motor and cognitive disabilities such as Parkinsons, including:

• The websites functionality must be entirely accessible via the use of a keyboard, without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes. If users can move onto a page element via the keyboard, then they can also move away from it as well.
• Whenever possible, content must not be time-limited, or the user is able to extend or adjust the time limit.
• The websites interface and navigation are consistent across pages. Multiple navigational elements, such as the order of pages in a drop-down list, are always repeated in the same order.
• Any input errors automatically detected by the website are indicated to the user, and the website provides suggestions for correcting the errors.

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Vitamins For Parkinson’s Disease

Apart from traditional pharmaceutical treatments, if you have Parkinsons disease, your doctor may recommend vitamins with antioxidant properties. While it is best to get these from food sources as part of a healthy, balanced diet, some people need to take supplements. These vitamins include:

• Vitamin B12
• Folate

Pulse Brands Adaptive Utensils:

• Prevents shaky hands from affecting the ability to eat independently, making mealtime easier for those with limited grip, weak hands and weak wrists, limited mobility, and trouble with functional movement.
• Non-Slip, Wide Grip: Each of our weighted adaptive utensils features a wider ribbed handle with raised, textured grips to improve control and dexterity.
• 4-Piece Set: Every order comes with four eating utensils, including a fork, knife, dinner spoon and a soup spoon. A very helpful set of built up utensils that cover a wide range of meals.
• Built With Durability: Along with a food-grade safe silicone handle, each utensil is made with high quality stainless steel that is dishwasher safe.
• 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! – We are so confident about the quality of our products, we will refund your purchase if you are not satisfied.

If youre looking for adaptive utensils to use with someone with a shaky hand, you might want to consider this set of Pulse brands. This pulse adaptive utensils set will reduce the burden on your loved ones and make them focus on their food in addition to the tremors.

It is a complete Parkinsons tool kit with two spoons, a fork, and a knife. We highly recommend this set as the utensils are loaded with huge large silicone handles which are easier to grip.

Pros:

• It is not suitable for an extreme case of tremors.

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Adaptive Dining Products To Help Reduce Spills

Dining plates and bowls, plate guards, and two-handle mugs promote independence, self-confidence, and safer eating for those with Parkinsons disease. Built-up sides on plates and bowls help users to push food onto the fork or spoon as well as keeping the food contained. Suction bases on bowls and plates also help to prevent slipping.

Insulated Mug with Lid

For safer and easier drinking, this mug has a weighted base and two large handles to accommodate adult fingers. The lid’s spout also helps to prevent spills

This convenient dining kit includes a weighted utensil set designed to improve your grasp while feeding, as well as dining ware for reducing spills and messes

Designed to allow the user to push food against the raised side of the plate, this dish helps scoop food with only one hand if necessary

Promoting independence and self-confidence, this unique spill guard minimizes messy spills at meal time. It easily attaches to standard round plates for convenience

A polypropylene mug with an easy-to-grasp handle, used for either hot or cold liquids. The lid regulates flow for safer drinking

Stable dining surfaces can also help simplify mealtimes for those with shaky hands and weakness. The non-slip material can be cut-to-size and placed under a plate or bowl to keep it from moving on the table.

Simple changes and adaptations can make meals easier to prepare, eat, and clean up. Help your loved ones dine with ease and comfort using one of these adaptive utensils and tableware!

Vitamin C And Vitamin E

Vitamin C is found in fruit, vegetables, and the livers of animals. Vitamin E is an antioxidant found in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, bell peppers, and avocados.

An 18-year study followed 41,058 subjects in Sweden. Within that population, there were 465 cases of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers evaluated vitamin C and E to determine whether antioxidants and total non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity were linked to a lower risk of Parkinsons disease.

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The Latest Research On Parkinsons

The Parkinsons Disease Foundation , Michael J. Fox Foundation , National Parkinson Foundation and the National Institutes of Health are among the groups that fund research into the causes and treatments for Parkinsons disease. Some of the latest achievements in Parkinsons research include:

Drug Compound Moves to Phase III Testing: A Northwestern University study showed that the compound, isradipine, typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure, reduces risks for Parkinsons by 30% among patients taking it as a blood pressure medication. Recruitment for phase III trials will begin later this year.

Parkinsons Disease Chemical Messenger Discovered: Researchers at the University of Dundee have identified a chemical messenger in the brain that protects against Parkinsons, opening new avenues for treatments and a potential cure.

Researchers Explore Genetics of Parkinsons: Scientists at Northwestern University have planned a five-year study on individuals with gene mutations linked to PD, with the hope of gaining insight into a potential disease-modifying therapy.

Caregiving For People Living With Parkinsons

Caring for a loved one with PD can be a challenging job, especially as the disease progresses. Former caregivers of a loved one with PD suggest doing the following : Get prepared, Take care of yourself, Get help , Work to maintain a good relationship with your loved one, and Encourage the person with PD for whom you care, to stay active.

Preparing for caregiving starts with education. Reading this fact sheet is a good start. More resources are available to you in theResources section of this fact sheet. Early Parkinsonâs disease usually requires more emotional support and less hands-on care. It is a good time for family members/caregivers to educate themselves about the disease.

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Cerebral Dopamine Neurotrophic Factor

Developed by TreatER, a European Union-funded research and development project which aims to develop a novel treatment for Parkinsons disease using a drug called CDNF .

It is a protein found naturally in the body and may be able to alleviate Parkinsons symptoms and even stop its progression after being implanted into the brain by a neurosurgeon through catheters.

The project is currently the worlds first clinical study in humans testing natural CDNF and its being conducted at three European university hospitals: Karolinska University Hospital and Skane University Hospital in Sweden, and Helsinki University Hospital in Finland.

The team is also trying to identify easier and cheaper ways for the CDNF drug to be inserted into places in the body where it can best treat the symptoms of Parkinsons.

Vitamin B12 And Folate

Vitamin B12 is an antioxidant. It helps keep red blood cells and nerve cells healthy and helps produce DNA. Sources of vitamin B12 are typically red meat, chicken, sardines, eggs, fortified cereals and bread, and nutritional yeast.

Researchers discovered that patients with early-onset Parkinson’s disease had lower vitamin B12 levels, which reduced motor and cognitive functions. In some cases, taking a multivitamin that included vitamin B12 slowed the loss of those functions.

Folate is found in organ meats , yeast, and leafy green vegetables. Folate plays several roles in the body and brain.

Both B12 and folate are involved in the metabolism of homocysteine, an amino acid. High levels of homocysteine are seen in various cognitive disorders. Studies show that Parkinson’s disease patients taking levodopa for the condition are also more likely to have elevated homocysteine.

In one meta-data analysis, researchers investigated the correlations between cognitive function , homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease. They discovered that patients with cognitive dysfunction had high levels of homocysteine and lower levels of folate and vitamin B12.

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Mobility & Disability Products For Parkinson’s Disease

There are over 70,000 Australians living with this condition. 65 years is the average age of diagnosis, although younger individuals can begin showing symptoms, in which the disease is referred to as Young Onset Parkinsons.Parkinsons Disease affects the production of dopamine within the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter and is responsible for passing messages between cells. The disease is caused by the decline in the production of dopamine, resulting in difficulty of controlling movement, and can have a broader impact of other systems including cognition, bowel movements and smell.Due to the progressive and motor-impairing symptoms of Parkinsons Disease tremors, shaking and slowing of movements can change normal, mundane daily living activities into challenging and sometimes daunting tasks. We have selected from our product range items that we believe can assist you or your loved one in overcoming some of the daily challenges presented by Parkinsons Disease.

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Gyenno Parkinsons Spoon For Hand Tremor:

• GYENNO steady Spoon electronically stabilizes so the attached utensil shakes 85% less than your hand. Worry less about spilling and focus on enjoying your meal.
• GYENNO portable tableware includes two parts: a stabilizing handle and a utensil attachment. Switch on and off automatically, automatically turn to sleep mode when you stop using.
• GYENNO tremor Spoon has an ergonomic design which adapted to the general Hands Use habit, total weight 130g, easy to hold and to prevent from slippery.
• Spoon and fork kit , for all kinds of meals, include an everyday spoon, a fork attachment
• At GYENNO, we have strongly confidence on our products. Every GYENNO product includes a 6-month, worry-free Guarantee.If you have any problem or suggestion, please contact us freely, we will provide friendly support for you in 24 hr.

GYENNO Parkinsons is a smart spoon specially designed for the elderly with Parkinsons disease. Helps stabilize hand tremors up to 85%. The risk of spilling food while eating is minimized and the elderly will enjoy their food worry-free.

It is a two-way design with a large silicone handle that facilitates grip. Besides, it is compact with a weight of 130 g. Therefore, it is easy to hold even when the elderly person is recovering from an operation. It also includes high-quality stainless steel cookware which is also durable.

Pros:

• It is a little expensive.

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