Tips For Daily Living
If you are already living with Parkinsons disease, here are some tips to manage it:
- Exercise your brain. Read, work on crossword puzzle, do Sudoku, or engage in other activities that use your brain.
- Get moving. If you feel comfortable walking, swimming, or riding an exercise bike, go for itand try to do it on a regular basis.
- Try tai chi. We think of as a mind-body exercise, and it is, but it also has roots as a martial art in China. A 2012 study found that practicing tai chi helped people with moderate Parkinsons disease maintain stability and balance. And a 2014 study found that tai chi can help people reduce their risk of falling. It incorporates a flowing series of coordinated movements to help you maintain flexibility, strength and balance, and it can be easily adapted to meet your abilities.
- Practice yoga. You dont have to perform headstands or other physically challenging poses to get significant benefits from . You can improve your balance, mobility, flexibility, and strength with a form thats adapted for you.
- Find a support group. Whether you prefer an online support group or a group that meets in person, a can be an invaluable resource for helping you live with Parkinsons disease.
Bigger Changes And Home Renovations
Besides the small, easy-to-buy solutions, there remains the issue of a home not designed with Parkinsons in mind. However, fear not! With some handy renovations, any house can be made into a safe haven. As anyone experienced with Parkinsons will tell you, railings are a must. Its best to have something fixed to hold onto at any spot in your home. These can be installed at a small cost and will save you from falling on many occasions. If you have a wheelchair, then the next thing to consider are building ramps, removing any carpeting, and investing in some wider doorways. And, as we have already mentioned, railings, railings, railings!
Taking The Right Steps
Moderate walking should make you feel like youre getting a workout, but you shouldnt be losing your breath. You should be able to carry on a conversation with a walking partner. Always stop immediately if you feel short of breath, dizzy or have any type of pain.
And remember, its common for people with Parkinsons to become quite tired when walking. If you do, simply stop and rest for a moment. Remember, any exercise is good exercise. If you decided to take walk, youve already taken great steps toward better health.
If a freezing episode occurs during your stroll, try these four steps to get going again:
- Command your feet to march. Say Left, Right, Left, Right.
- Swing your arms wide and big.
- Shift your weight back and forth from foot to foot.
- Pretend there is a line on the ground that you need to step over.
Remember, walking is simple and easy medicine for Parkinsons disease. Taking a few purposeful steps every day can help improve many common symptoms and help you live better with Parkinsons.
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Why Does It Matter
The literature is full of studies addressing the value of MIL for a variety of important outcome measures. For instance, MIL is strongly associated with recovery from mental health issues, improved quality of life, lower levels of psychological stress, better physical well-being, increased resilience, more positive emotions and life satisfaction, improved self-esteem, and decreased mortality. Wow! I think most would take that list. Additionally, research suggests that MIL is beneficial when dealing with traumatic experiences in life, and a Parkinsons disease diagnosis certainly qualifies. Following a PD diagnosis, qualitative changes begin sometimes it means stepping away from ones work, decreasing enjoyable physical activities, changes in relationships, and the associated questions of, now what? Reviewing the sources of meaning and identifying those that have personal significance to oneself it the first step, which is closely followed by increasing the frequency that one engages in them. Do more of what you love is a good rallying cry.
How To Be A Good Spouse When They Have Parkinsons
July 28, 2020 by Zach Galati
Being a good caregiver to someone with Parkinsons can be a difficult job. If the person you are giving care for is your spouse then this can be like tiptoeing on eggshells. So, I wanted to share some of the tips and tricks I have learned from being a caregiver to a spouse with Parkinsons over the last few years. These tips have helped our marriage not only avoid breaking down but have helped our marriage flourish.
Making sure they take medications
Something helpful I do for my spouse is to remind him to take his medications. We set up alarms on his smartphone so that he is reminded when to take his medication. We bought weekly pill boxes with 3 compartments per day and set them up a week at a time. This makes it really easy to see if my spouse has taken their medication or needs help remembering. I can also encourage my spouse on days when taking medication can feel like too much of a chore.
Assisting them in getting to the doctors
Depending on where your spouse is at, they may not be able to get themselves to their doctors appointments. I usually drive my spouse to the doctors office or hospital, and he has agreed for me to come into his appointments with him. I usually jot down notes of what is said to make sure we dont forget, and we can talk it over again when we get home. However, arranging someone else to come and give them a ride to the doctors is also a great way to help out your spouse and give them less to worry about.
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Who Is Lori Deporter
Lori DePorter was diagnosed with young onset Parkinsons six years ago at the age of 45. She is the wife and mother of three boys. She has made exercise and writing her passion to empower others facing the same journey. Today, she teaches classes and is a published author. Her column, Life, Lemons & Lemonade,is published in the Parkinsons News Today and she has written for the Davis Phinney Foundation. Lori hopes her teaching and her writing will inspire others to live their best life with Parkinsons and to live it well.
Should I Talk To My Healthcare Provider Before I Start Exercising If I Have Parksinson’s Disease
Talk to your neurologist and your primary care provider before starting a new exercise regimen. They can:
- Counsel you on how intense your exercises can be.
- Recommend exercises appropriate for your individual health.
- Refer you to a physical therapist to create a personal exercise program.
- Warn about exercises to avoid based on your particular challenges or limitations.
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Change The Risk Of Later Developing Parkinsons
The current literature reveals conflicting data on the impact of HRT on PD risk. One possible explanation lays in the complex interaction between timing and duration of hormone exposure and the interaction with other genetic and environmental risk factors. Understanding the actual effects of reproductive factors, HRT and the Oral Contraceptive Pill use on the risk of PD may help to identify mechanisms and pathways responsible for these effects, and to determine strategies for future prevention of PD. Currently, the effects of HRT on PD risk remain inconclusive and will require further study. The interplay between these factors is complex, though targeting sex differences in the pathophysiology of PD may open new avenues of investigation and possibly the development of sex-specific treatments.
Cleaning Tips For Those With Parkinson’s
- Use long handles on sponge mops, cleaning brushes, dust pans, brooms, or window washers.
- Sit to fold laundry, wash dishes, iron clothes, use the sweeper, mop the floor, or to plug in appliances at low outlets. Adapt counters so that you can reach them from your wheelchair or from a sitting position.
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Why Do Couples Have To Move Together
As the certified Dance for Parkinsons® teacher in the Philadelphia area, I began noticing that couples who took my class were having difficulty communicating with each other as the disease worsened. They were cranky in class, they would lose rhythm, they would stop listening to the music. Youre not in sync with me! I heard several say.
I decided to create a program that would renovate the idea of partnering but without dance. I had a lightbulb moment when a couple in one of my classes interacted with me when we were saying goodbye one day. John had recently started using a rollator, and his wife had gone to get his coat after class. He told me he had fallen the previous day, getting out of bed.
Im so sorry to hear that, I said. How did it happen?
Well, he grumbled. Joanne had gone downstairs to make the coffee and left her slippers under the bed, so when I rolled toward the bed rail to pull myself out, I tripped on the slippers. It was a mess getting me off the floor.
It sure was! Joanne at this point had joined us and had overheard our conversation. I asked if she had a timer on the coffeepot that she could set the night before. I dont know, she shrugged. Ive been doing it this way for 42 years. John nodded. And John I turned to him. You said you were pulling yourself over to the rail. How come you never switched places in the bed?
I dont know, he said. Weve been doing it this way for 42 years.
Youre Getting Some Serious Exercise
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can burn about 330 calories doing one hour of light gardening and yard work. In fact, you can burn more calories gardening than you can walking at a moderate pace for the same amount of time.
A study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people who participated in a community gardening program had significantly lower body mass indexes than those who didnt.
Like any other moderate to intense physical activity, youll want to pace yourself, listen to your body if it wants to rest, and always have plenty of water on hand.
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Safety & Fall Prevention Tips
Falls are common to people with Parkinsons disease. Use some of these safety tips to help prevent or avoid falls and other injuries.
While symptoms may differ between individuals with Parkinsons disease, its always important to consider safety. Whether to eliminate tripping hazards, stand from a sitting position, or even while walking, these safety tips and tricks can help you stay healthy and safe during your daily life.
Energy Conserving Tips For Those With Parkinson’s Disease
- Simplify your tasks and set realistic goals. Don’t think you have to do things the same way you’ve always done them.
- Plan your activities ahead of time. Space them out throughout the day. Do not schedule too many things to do in one day. Do the things that take more energy when you are feeling your best.
- If needed, rest before and after activities.
- If you become tired during an activity, stop and rest. You may need to finish it on another day or when you feel less tired.
- Do not plan activities right after a meal. Rest 20-30 minutes after each meal.
- Ask for help. Divide the tasks among family and friends.
- Get a good night’s sleep and elevate your head when sleeping. Be careful not to nap too much during the day or you might not be able to sleep at night.
- If your doctor says it’s ok, you may climb steps. You may need to rest part of the way if you become tired. Try to arrange your activities so you do not have to climb up and down stairs many times during the day.
- Avoid extreme physical activity. Do not push, pull, or lift heavy objects that require you to strain.
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Barriers To Accessing Mental Health Care In Parkinsons
Dr. Subramanian and colleagues including Dr. Chaudhuri, Dr. Mari and Dr. Fernandez wrote a paper along with Dr. Pontone a psychiatrist on the barriers to mental health care for PWP. Since the paper is not open access and contained some very key information to help PWP and their clinicians, we will cover some take home messages in this blog and in our next blog. This blog highlights the barriers and the next one will propose solutions. If you are having issues with your mental health, it is important to realize that you are not alone and to tell your loved ones and health care providers about what you are experiencing so that you can get help. The holidays are a time when many people experience more issues with isolation and mental health- we urge you to check in with your loved ones at this stressful time.
Its One Of Few Chores That Actually Reduces Stress
Pulling weeds, planting seeds or pushing a lawn mower may seem like arduous work, but once you get into the zone so to speak, it can be oddly relaxing.
A study conducted in The Netherlands asked two participating groups to complete a stressful task. Afterward, group one was asked to garden for 30 minutes, while group two read indoors. Not only did the gardening group report better moods than the reading group, they had noticeably lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
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Where Is Meaning In Life Found
The operative question here is, What makes YOUR life meaningful? MIL is subjective at its core and varies from person-to-person. Despite this, meaning is derived from several sources:
Relationships
There are a lot of inspirational people in Parkinsons disease and we had the pleasure of interviewing Judith Sachs. Judith has been a leader in adaptive movement program development. We had the pleasure of picking her brain about tips for couples moving together.
Maintaining Nutrition And Diet
Parkinson patients face problems in swallowing food, planning a diet for the patient can serve as a form of help for them. It may not be to a sufficient extent as the actual nutrients play a major role in physical consistency.
That being said, theres an interesting fact about the apples associated with Parkinson. Apples, especially the red ones are said to contain a certain flavonoid which protects brain cells and hence they serve great to fight against Parkinson.
The person suffering from Parkinson disease also encounter respiratory infection. This happens due to the aspiration of food and fluids which possibly leads to malnutrition and pneumonia.
Since urinary tract infections are a result of inadequate food consumption and urinary retention, maintaining a diet can actually help the Parkinson affected a person in many ways. It can even help fight constipation-like problems which occur due to lack of digestive foods and fluids.
You can solve the aforementioned problems through the following solutions:
- Include juices and milkshakes in the diet. Keep the fluids thicker than usual.
- Not-so-solid foods such as pudding or fruits that hold water can be a great help.
- You must ensure that you include soft and moist foods.
- You must avoid the food which can get stuck in the throat or are difficult to swallow.
Small bites and chewing food until it becomes semi-fluid can help in swallowing the food easily. You can direct the patient to do it.
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Other Tips For Those With Parkinson’s Disease
- Purchase a small battery-powered alarm pillbox to help you remember your medication schedule.
- Use a speaker phone or telephone headset to ease the problem of hand tremors while talking on the phone.
- Install an intercom system or purchase walkie-talkies to make contact within the home easier.
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Tips And Tricks In Advanced Deep Brain Stimulation For Movement Disorders
This course is intended for movement disorder neurologists, neurosurgeons, nurse practitioners, and trainees who are already involved in the management of patients with movement disorders and want to strengthen their knowledge in this field.
- Provide an in-depth overview of programming with directional leads
- Provide tips in programming in dystonia and tremor
- Discuss troubleshooting options in Parkinsons disease
- Describe the strategies for management of DBS emergencies
- Provide tips for neurosurgeons for successful implantation and great effect
- Become efficient in managing difficult DBS cases.
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Eating Drinking And Parkinson’s Disease
- Don’t rush your meals. Allow the extra time you need to finish your meal. Rest your elbows on the table to provide more motion at your wrist and hand.
- Sit with your knees and hips bent at a 90-degree angle in a straight-back chair.
- Use utensils with built-up, lightweight handles, or use a “spork” — a spoon and fork in one. Use a rocker knife for cutting food.
- Use a non-skid mat to stabilize objects on the table.
- Use a plate guard or plate with a raised lip to prevent food from spilling.
- Use a long straw with a non-spill cup or use a plastic mug with a large handle.
Maintaining Independence In Daily Tasks
In addition to impaired mobility, Parkinsons can make seemingly simple tasks like brushing teeth and eating very difficult. But staying as independent as possible is important for your older adults self-esteem and well-being.
Assistive devices like dressing aids, shower chairs, and reacher grabbers can allow older adults to accomplish more tasks on their own. Plus, there are products that are designed specifically for Parkinsons that counteract symptoms like tremors and contracture. For example, spoons for people with Parkinsons are specially designed to make feeding oneself easier and less messy.
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