Rest and Sleeping by NPF

Rest and Sleeping

With PD, it is not unusual to have trouble turning over, or
getting in and out of bed.

 These tips may help:
• Discuss trouble getting in and out of bed, or turning over
in bed, with your health care provider. You may need to
have your medication adjusted.
• A satin sheet or piece of satin material tucked across the
middle of the bed can make it easier to turn over.
• Flannel sheets and heavy blankets can make it more
difficult to turn over.
• Make sure the pathway from the bed to the bathroom is
well-lit. A nightlight or a closet door left open with the
light on works well.
• Keep the bedroom floor clear of things that could cause
tripping and falling. For example, don’t leave shoes,
books or papers on the floor.
Tips for getting into bed
1. Approach the bed as you would a chair; feel the mattress
behind both legs.
2. Slowly lower yourself to a seated position on the bed,
using your arms to control your descent.
3. Lean on your forearm while you allow your trunk to lean
down to the side.
4. As your trunk goes down, the legs will want to go up,
like a see-saw.

✦ Do not place knee up on the mattress first. In other
words, don’t “crawl” into bed.

Tips for getting out of bed


1Bend knees up, feet flat on the bed.
2. Roll onto your side toward the edge of the bed by letting
the knees fall to that side. Reaching across with the top
arm. Turn your head and look in the direction you are
rolling.
3. Lower feet from the bed as you push with your arms into a
sitting position.

✦ A straight back chair anchored at the side of the bed or a
bed rail can help you roll more easily.

Tips for rolling or turning over in bed
1. Bend your knees up with feet flat.
2. Allow knees to fall to one side as you begin to roll.
3. Turn your head in the direction you are rolling and reach
top arm across the body.
Tips for scooting over in bed
1. Bend your knees up with feet flat.
2. Push into the bed with feet and hands to lift your hips up
off the bed. Then shift hips in the desired direction.
3. Finish by repositioning feet in the direction your hips
moved.

✦ Especially for care partners

• As PD advances, the person may need help turning over
and changing position during the night.
• Use cushions and pillows to help support the person in a
comfortable position. Upholstery foam works well for
this.
• When helping the person go from sitting to lying down,
guide the person’s shoulders down while the feet come up.
Place your hand at their shoulders and at the bend of their
knee.
• When helping the person from lying to sitting, place your
hands attheir shoulders and the bend of their knee to guide
the feet to the floor. Don’t pull the person up by their arms

Helpful bedroom aids:

Helping handle/bed rail provides assistance with rolling
and support for pushing yourself to an upright position. It
attaches between the mattress and box spring. An inexpensive
alternative to a bed rail is a straight-back chair laced to the
bedframe.
Adjustable blanket support keeps the blanket off feet, making
it easier to move. Adjustable, lightweight aluminum frame
inserts between the mattress and box spring.
Motion-activated nightlight detects movement and
automatically switches on.
Electric beds make it easy to elevate your head and upper body
and can make breathing easier.