Lately, I have met people who know someone with Parkinson’s. However, the message they delivered to me was somewhat distressful, not hopeful. Consider these comments: “I have a friend with Parkinson’s, and they’re stuck at their home, just frozen.”; “I know someone with Parkinson’s, and they just stay at home now.”; and “I have a good friend with Parkinson’s, and they’ve had it a long time, but he just doesn’t have a good attitude anymore, about anything.”
These comments got me thinking about what I/we can do to help these people (person)-with-Parkinson’s (PwP). Each one was likely uniquely different from the other, and obviously, they were all living under severe living conditions. Nonetheless, would a checklist help all of us to live better with Parkinson’s and stay renewed? Always try to embrace these words: “I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.” Louise Hay
Coping with Parkinson’s
We must remember that Parkinson’s is both a chronic and a progressive disorder. With time we may progress, and our symptoms may mature and get worse. It also means we may develop new symptoms. It could mean that you have had Parkinson’s for 20 or 30 years, and possibly you are worn out from dealing with reality. Thus, emotionally and mentally, it can be challenging to live with Parkinson’s. However, take solace in these words from Glenn Schweitzer, “Behind every chronic illness is just a person trying to find their way in the world. We want to find love and be loved and be happy just like you. We want to be successful and do something that matters. We’re just dealing with unwanted limitations in our hero’s journey.”
Living with Parkinson’s
This list is a wake-up call for everyone with Parkinson’s, or if you know somebody that was just described above with Parkinson’s. It is time to re-engage them, boost their spirits, remind them that hope still exists. Remind yourself, or your friend with Parkinson’s, “Today renews your lease on the rest of your life, enjoy it (get up, get out, get going). Today acknowledge your Parkinson’s; give it a nudge, because you are ready for the battle and for life.”Frank C. Church
Sedentary compared to the active person-with-Parkinson’s
The checklist below is a simple reminder of what we can do to manage our Parkinson’s, to better our life outside the confines that Parkinson’s so desires of our bodies. Think about this way: a sedentary person is what Parkinson’s gains strength from by their path of least resistance. By contrast, the active person with Parkinson’s who brings hope, perseverance, and positivity provides the spark to hold Parkinson’s at bay. Focus on the words of Denis Waitley, “Don’t dwell on what went wrong. / Instead, focus on what to do next. / Spend your energies on moving forward / toward finding the answer.”
A checklist for (someone) living with Parkinson’s
Please read over the list if you have Parkinson’s; hopefully, you can use it to remind yourself of some common goals to counter your Parkinson’s. If you are a friend of someone living with Parkinson’s, here is a chance to help. If you can spare a few minutes every-now-and-then, please use the checklist to visit your sedentary friend with Parkinson’s. Your goal is to help them re-activate and re-engage in their life.
Get the person-with-Parkinson’s outside and walking
Please drop by and say hello and get a feel for their mood. Are they frozen-in-form or just slightly rigid? The goal is simple, to go outside and, for example, walk to the mailbox and back. Tell them how valuable exercise is proven for people-with-Parkinson’s, no matter what stage of their disorder or their age.
Ask when they last saw their neurologist
Please remind them of the relative value of seeing their neurologist every six months. Although the progression of Parkinson’s may be slight or subtle, their healthcare provider is usually the constancy-of-care. The movement disorder physician can advise therapy and guide the treatment plan for the person-with-Parkinson’s.
Are they taking their medication on a regular (daily) basis?
The ‘gold-standard’ drug Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa) is best taken on an empty stomach (if possible), and 20-60 minutes before eating a protein-laden meal (again, if possible). Moreover, do they have a regular schedule during the rest of the day/evening to take their PD-specific drug?
Ask them about their diet
Proper nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals) are all needed fuel for the person-with-Parkinson’s. While there is not a Parkinson’s-specific-diet, the evidence is emerging favoring either the Mediterranean or a plant-based diet in an attempt to slow the progression of Parkinson’s.
Find out how well they are sleeping at night
It is vital to know if they are getting enough sleep every night. Why? Please think of the brain like a sponge filling up with fluid all-day long; during our time to sleep, we squeeze the excess liquid out and restore/refresh our mind. Insomniais shared from both treatments and as a clinical feature of Parkinson’s.
Ask about a Parkinson’s support group
It should be a positive interaction when joining a Parkinson’s support group. The idea of having a well-trained and best-intentioned social worker organizing such a support group should be both reassuring and very supportive to all.
Is there a care partner?
It is essential to find out if someone is helping manage aspects of their daily life. Alternatively, maybe the care partner is overburdened and in need of a break. Could you strategize with them to give the care partner time off, even for a few hours by you or someone else?
Find out if there is any socializing outside of the home
Emerging data and information are revealing that socializing and social networking is a part of the formula for the neuroprotection of people with Parkinson’s. If there are no social interactions, it would be most beneficial to make a plan to include getting the person-with-Parkinson’s out with others.
Ask about exercising
There is recent information that exercise is neuroprotective but additionally, it has a positive effect on quality-of-life. Strenuous exercise is better than just exercising, which is far superior to no exercising. The ultimate goal is to help the person-with-Parkinson’s to begin exercising. However, the person-with-Parkinson’s should first consult with their neurologist and follow-up with a physical therapist before beginning to exercise.
Please remind them they need to remain hopeful, persistent, and positive
“Speak quietly to yourself and promise there will be better days. Whisper gently to yourself and provide assurance that you really are extending your best effort. Console your bruised and tender spirit with reminders of many other successes. Offer comfort in practical and tangible ways – as if you were encouraging your dearest friend. Recognize that on certain days the greatest grace is that the day is over and you get to close your eyes. Tomorrow comes more brightly…” Mary Anne Radmacher
This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The ParkinsonsDisease.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein.
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After was running around from doctor to doctor before we finally get rid of her PD ,at age 74 my mother noticed that her handwriting was getting smaller and I was writing faster as well. She also noticed a small tremor in her left hand. The doctor went over her different symptoms and he suspected she either had a small stroke or the beginnings of Parkinson 's disease. After finding a neurologist and some testing she was diagnosed with the beginning stages of Parkinson’s disease. That was 3 years ago. She take Sinimet four times a day to control the symptoms, which include falling, imbalance, gait problems, swallowing difficulties, and slurring of speech,This year, our family doctor started her on multivitamincare. org PD Herbal mixture, 15 weeks into treatment she improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control. No case of dementia, hallucination, weakness, muscle pain or tremors.
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