Parkinson’s Disease – Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the part of the brain that controls your body. A person who has Parkinson’s Disease may experience slow voluntary movements, tremors, frequent falls, decreased muscle tone, speech and swallowing difficulties and reduced frequency of eye blinking.
Parkinson’s Disease
SYMPTOMS
- Cramped handwriting or other writing changes
- Tremor, especially in finger, hand or foot
- Uncontrollable movements during sleep
- Limb stiffness or slow movement (bradykinesia)
- Voice changes
- Rigid facial expression or masking
- Stooped posture
- Impaired balance
- Difficulties performing activities of daily living (e.g. dressing, bathing, using the toilet)
HOW WE CAN HELP
- At Q Enrichment Center, our Occupational therapist will conduct an extensive comprehensive assessment to determine the type of difficulty, the severity, as well as the effects on activities of daily living (e.g. dressing, bathing and toileting). A detailed report will be completed along with a treatment plan specific to each individual’s needs.
- Intervention can focus on:
- finding alternative methods / compensatory strategies to perform activities of daily living (e.g. bathing, dressing, using the toilet)
- assessing the home and work environment to identify potential hazards and to create a more functional environment specific to the clients’ needs
- recommending special equipment or assistive devices for use at home
- teaching the client and caregiver how to properly use adaptive equipment, like orthotics, braces, or wheelchairs
- promoting a sense of wellbeing by assisting client’s with hobbies and interests, such as gardening or sports
- recommending exercises to maintain fine motor skills, coordination, and mental alertness
- teaching the client and/or caregiver on exercises and home programmes for carryover in the home.
- environmental modifications (home)