Daily living activities
Living with Parkinson's can be challenging when managing activities of daily living such as dressing, toileting, sleeping, and more. Using different supports such as adaptive devices and equipment, making modifications to how we navigate our environment and tasks, and getting support from the care team can help alleviate those challenges.
Assistive technology and devices
Adaptive devices and technology can help improve safety and increase independence, however, it is important to get guidances and training from a skilled therapist to ensure that each tool meets your specific needs and to use correctly.
Equipment to Help You Get Around
If Parkinson’s symptoms make it harder for you to move, there are various types of equipment that can help make getting around easier like canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.
Personal Care
Dressing adaptive tools can make getting dressed easier and less stressful for people with Parkinson’s. Items like button hooks, sock-aid, and long-handled shoehorns help reduce strain, save time, and support independence.
Medication Management
Medication management tools help people with Parkinson’s take their medicine on time, which is key to controlling symptoms. These can include pill organizers, setting reminders, establishing a routine,
Eating and
Drinking
Using different tools for eating and drinking like weighted utensils, universal cuffs, bendable utensils, built up handles, plate guards and more can help increase independence while navigating symptoms like tremors or reduced grip strength.
Modifications and Strategies
Energy Conservation Strategies
Remembering the 4Ps of energy conservation can help you navigate your day and complete activities.
Plan: Plan to gather all the materials prior to starting the activity (grabbing all your clothes prior to getting dressed or all cooking supplies first), plan to avoid doing a lot of heavy tasks in one day and alternate between heavy and light tasks.
Pace: Listen to your body and do not rush on completing all of your activities and rest often.
Prioritize: Decide which tasks need to be completed first or which ones are higher priority.
Positioning: Complete tasks sitting if possible to reduce fatigue and a lot of bending and use aids to provide assistance (reachers, sock-aid)
Home
Modifications
Making modifications to the environment can help reduce the risk of falls. Clearing out clutter, removing throw rugs and cables, rearranging furniture, placing non-slip mats in the shower, adding grab bars in the bathroom, and installing motion-activated light sensors can all help increase independence and quality of life.
There are many more adaptive tools and strategies that can be used to increase independence and quality of life. Talk to an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or speech therapists about the best options for you and to get appropriate training.