16 Tips to Increase Your Mobility Confidence While Living With Parkinson’s Disease

AUGUST 14, 2017 BY WENDY HENDERSON IN SOCIAL CLIPS.

Parkinson’s disease affects movement, coordination and mobility and as the disease progresses, it can often begin to ebb away at the confidence a person living with the condition has in their own abilities. However, all is not lost and there are ways that you can improve your confidence in movement. Although it may seem counterintuitive, according to the National Parkinson Foundation, in order to increase your mobility confidence you need to move more.

Here are a few of their tips to help you move more:

• Try to increase the amount of physical activity you do each day. Tackling chores around the house and garden are a good way to get moving.
• Attend a local exercise class — yoga, swimming, water aerobics, boxing classes are all excellent choices.
• Try to move around more — get up and walk around the house every hour or get up while the commercials are on while watching TV.
• Dance. Play some of your favorite music and dance around the house.

If mobility and balance become an issue, mobility aids such as canes and walkers will help you to get around and get some of your independence back.

• Laser canes and walkers can help those who suffer from gait freezing. The laser can help guide where to place your feet.
• Straight canes with a rubber tip are best for stability.
• Ensure the cane is at the correct height for maximum support and has a hand grip that’s comfortable.
• Tripod or quad canes are more difficult for people living with Parkinson’s disease to use than single tip canes.
• Walkers with four or more wheels will offer better stability and allow for easier turning.
• Other features such as swivel casters, larger wheels and hand brakes will offer the best stability.
• Walkers with added baskets or seats can prove very useful for resting and carrying items.
• Walkers which need to be lifted into place do not offer stability for anyone with Parkinson’s disease and can make them lose balance.

If your Parkinson’s disease is more advanced and you require a wheelchair, there are some considerations you should take into account:

• Speak with your occupational therapist or physical therapist about the best type of wheelchair to suit your needs
• Check with your insurance company to see if a wheelchair will be covered.
• Opt for a lighter wheelchair that will be easier to move around.
• A wheelchair with a reclining back will allow you to rest easier and help if you have elevated blood pressure.

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