Dealing with
Parkinson's Deisease is never easy. We have compiled 10 tips to assist a caregiver helping someone with
Parkinson's.
- Velcro shoes are easier to manage than shoe laces that need to be tied. Another option is to have elastic shoe laces that just stretch and don't need to be tied, even less work than velcro.
- Car seats made out of leather or vinyl are easier to slide in and out on. If you have cloth seats, you may want to consider putting a large plastic garbage bag on the seat, or buying a swivel seat. Swivel seats are portable, lightweight and allow 360 degrees of movement. Also nice to have incase of any incontinence issues.
- Apply for a handicapped parking permit. Gives your loved one less chance of falling. This will make outings more enjoyable as you will be allowed to park closer to stores, malls, restaurants, etc. Your loved one won’t be worn out from walking across a parking lot and ready to go home before you get to the store.
- Recliners and other chairs may be difficult to get out of for Parkinson's patients. Raising them 4 to 8 inches depending on the user’s height, or replacing them with an electric lift chair can make getting up easier. Medicare may cover the cost of the motor for an electric lift chair, with a doctor’s order. However, they will not cover the full cost of the chair, so check into this before you buy.
- Elastic waist pants are easier to get on than pants with zippers, snaps and buttons. At this stage we're not that worried about style.
- Weighted utensils help to stabilize tremulous hands. DME Supply Group has a weighted fork for around $13.
- Plate guards help tremulous hands easily scoop food onto utensils without the food spilling off the plate.
- Cups are available that make drinking easier by allowing users to drink with little or no shoulder flexion, wrist extension or head/neck movement. You may also consider cups with lids and straws to prevent spilling. Your local dollar store usualy has a 100 pack of bendable straws for only $1.
- If using a walker, a 4-wheeled walker, also known as a rollator will offer better stability and turn easier than a NO-wheeled walker. Large wheels with swivel casters and hand brakes provide the most stability. Standard walkers that have to be picked up to move forward are not usually recommended as they can cause a loss of balance. Check with your physical therapist before purchasing any walker.
- Explore the numerous a personal emergency response systems on the market. If your loved one has difficulty speaking loudly, have them get one where they just push a button that plays a recorded message to 911 if you're not there. Their are also ones that require the user to push a button at certain intervals. If they don't it sets the alarm off also.
Labels: elastic shoe laces, parkinson's disease, parkinsons tips, weighted utensils
by: DME Supply Group
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