Managing PARKINSON'SDISEASE
Living with Parkinson’s can be tough, but managing your condition doesn’t have to be. This page shares tips on managing Parkinson’s disease including a mix of approaches to help control symptoms, maintain independence, and improve quality of life. While there’s currently no cure, these strategies can help slow progression and make day-to-day living easier.
Symptom management
Medication management: Taking your medication and talking to your doctor can help make sure that you are taking the correct medication for your specific needs while addressing motor and non-motor symptoms.
Stay active: Create a plan to have regular physical activity such as with walking, yoga, tai chi or a customized home exercise plan created for you by a therapist. Exercise can help manage symptoms including balance, strength, flexibility and non-motor symptoms like mood, anxiety, and fatigue.
Make lifestyle modifications: Making modifications by creating routines to help sleep better, having a balanced diet, managing stress, and using adaptive tools can help maintain independence and have better quality of life.
Use therapy services: Occupational, physical, speech, and psychiatric therapies can help with symptom management and making lifestyle accommodations
Safe environment: Having a safe environment like removing clutter, adding grab bars, and improve lighting can help decrease the risks of falls and allow for easier navigation around the home.
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services
Working with a therapist and other team members can help you feel more independent and increase your confidence. Personalized therapy plans can help you meet your current needs and plan for future ones. These services can also provide support to family and caregivers through education, training, and strategies for managing the condition and their own stress and worries.
Occupational therapy (OT): The role of OT in PD is to help you stay independent in every day activities such as getting dressed, bathing, toileting and more. This is done through lifestyle modifications including recommendations for adaptive equipment and devices, making home & environmental modifications to be safer, and training on strategies to help ease symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and rigidity. OT can also help make a home exercise plan (HEP) to address symptoms and improve functional mobility.
Learn more about adaptive equipment and devices for daily living activities
Physical therapy (PT): The role of PT is to help with mobility by focusing on improving balance, strength, coordination, and mobility. Like OT, they can make recommendations on adaptive devices to make mobility safe for you and create an individualized HEP. PT can help find ways to reduce fall risks and keep you moving confident in your environment.
Speech therapy (SLP): The role of SLP is to address challenges with your voice such as the volume and pitch and speed and other communication problems, including reduced facial expressions. They can also provide support and strategies to focus on the dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and improve swallowing function.
Social worker (SW): Social workers are important for helping you and your family connect with community resources, support groups, and plan for the future. They are able to identify the needs and ways to cope with the condition. SW's can also address issues like anxiety, grief, and caregiver stress.
Psychiatrist: The role of the psychiatrist is to focus on the mental health conditions that occur in PD like depression, hallucinations, anxiety. They are able to provide therapy and medications to face these challenges.
Psychologist: The role of the psychologist can range from addressing cognitive changes to the emotional impact of the condition. They can develop programs to help with the cognitive deficits and therapy to manage the stress and other behavioral symptoms like apathy.
While there are many other ways that these specialists can provide support, it is always best to talk to your doctor to discuss options on treatment and therapy.
Seeking support
Having good support can be very important during your journey with PD as it can make daily struggles feel more manageable. Support can include family, support groups, and healthcare providers. Having support can empower you to better understand your condition and feel less isolated.
Additional supporters include Promotores who are helping bridge the gap in underserved communities by connecting people to their community and resources.
Church leaders can also be a part of your support group by connecting you with resources and providing social support.
Learn more about support groups in your area