Quick Summary: Rehabilitation therapy and medication timing can be important for people living with Parkinson’s disease because symptoms such as stiffness, slowness, and balance difficulties can fluctuate throughout the day. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help address mobility, daily activities, communication, and safety, while medication schedules should be managed with the prescribing clinician. Coordinate therapy sessions with the care team to identify times when treatment is most effective and comfortable.
Parkinson’s Disease is a movement disorder that is diagnosed in around 60,000 Americans each year. A Parkinson’s diagnosis is based on symptoms, the most common being resting tremors, slow movements and a loss of balance (like those actor Michael J. Fox exhibits). Writing and physical movement may also get smaller. There is no cure, but rehabilitation tailored toward Parkinson’s patients (including medication) and lifestyle choices can help.
Regular, normal day activities are usually affected by Parkinson’s Disease because nerve cells in the brain break down, resulting in the body receiving less dopamine. A lack of dopamine causes muscles to not function and movement to become difficult.
Fatigue is the enemy of rehabilitation, so finding a regimen where medication and rehabilitation therapy work together is key. Big and Loud, also known as LSVT, is one such program. Big, exaggerated movements are used to compensate for perception problems. This exercise program requires a lot from the patient, because intensity is key. To get the intensity needed, medication dosage is frequent, timed and dosed for the patient and their rehabilitation schedule.
The “loud” part of the rehabilitation program helps Parkinson’s Disease patients whose words are unclear and voices soft by teaching techniques to strengthen vocal volume and speech clarity.
Rock Steady Boxing is another method of combating Parkinson’s symptoms. This boxing program is designed to address slow or small movements, imbalance, stiffness, flexed posture, and respiratory weakness. It is a science-based curriculum which is adaptable to any level of Parkinson’s. Certified Rock Steady Boxing coaches and locations that provide it can be found all over the country.
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, and over time it may become difficult to use a fork or spoon. Finger food alternatives can help minimize frustration around eating. Swallowing can become difficult as well, so a team of rehabilitation specialists that include physical, occupational, and speech therapists is important to maintaining a comfortable lifestyle for a person with Parkinson’s Disease.
In the midst of caring for a person with Parkinson’s, it may be difficult to find these programs. Springpoint at Home’s Aging Life Care Advisor™/Care Management team is a great resource.
For more information on how Springpoint at Home can help, please call: 609-301-2101 or 844-724-1777.
