1. Help the Patient Stay Active
While Parkinson's disease is degenerative, and mobility issues will eventually result in the majority of cases, you can help a patient ward off physical disability by encouraging regular exercise. It might be as simple as a walk in the park or a quick swim in a shallow pool, but regular exercise is vital to helping a Parkinson's patient increase and maintain mobility.
2. Get Help From Mobility Aids
While doctors generally recommend that a Parkinson's patient remain on his feet as long as possible, aids such as wheelchairs and personal motorized vehicles are often introduced when bipedal mobility becomes too severely compromised. These devices help patients regain self-sufficiency and independence to a considerable degree, allowing them to move about freely and manage tasks like grocery shopping and simple errands themselves, rather than relying on another person's assistance.
3. Use Special Dining Tools to Aid Independence
There are tools and special aids available to help the patient regain a degree of dining independence. First, non-tip drink containers are an invaluable aid to Parkinson's patients suffering from degenerated motor control. Divided plates can keep the patient's food separate and easily accessible. They're made in versions that cannot be knocked over. The key thing to remember is to let the patient manage everything she possibly can on her own. Offer your assistance only when she cannot complete a task without help.
4. Encourage Early Visits to Therapists
Experts stress that it's never too soon to seek the advice and help of rehab specialists, especially physical and occupational therapists. Patients who are proactive about maintaining physical mobility and independence by seeking treatment before handicaps set in will enjoy a higher quality of life for a longer period. Some people with Parkinson's disease also develop difficulties speaking and communicating, which can inhibit their independence. Early visits to a speech and language therapist can help patients anticipate future challenges and take proactive actions to meet them.
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