At NRS Healthcare, we are experts in daily living aids, which are products designed to support people who are living with health conditions or disabilities. Daily living aids help you to stay as independent as possible, and provide support so you can continue with everyday tasks or stay mobile.
Here, we suggest some daily living aids for Parkinson’s disease that may help with some common challenges and tasks that some people find difficult.
• Help with mobility – some people may find that getting around becomes more difficult as their symptoms progress, and that they need support to help them walk and move around safely. There are a huge number of mobility aids available, and here are some that may help:
Walking stick,
Rollators,
Wheelchairs,
Grab rail
• Safer bathing, showering and toileting – if you are experiencing stiffness and problems with coordination, using the toilet, bath or shower can become difficult. In order to make these tasks easier and safer, the following aids can help:
Bath lift,
Toilet frame with seat,
Shower seat
• Getting out of chair or bed – stiffness and movement difficulties can sometimes make it difficult to push yourself up out of a chair, or manoeuvre yourself out of bed. These aids can help:
Rise and recline chairs,
Lifting seats,
Bed rails
• Help with eating & drinking – tremors and muscle rigidity sometimes make it difficult to eat and drink with standard tableware. There are many solutions available to help such as:
Large handled cutlery,
Weighted cutlery for tremors,
Large handled mugs,
Spill resistant mugs
• Memory, medication and safety aids – some people experience cognitive impairments such as mild memory problems, or are at risk of falls. These aids may be able to help:
Automatic pill dispenser,
Simple mobile phone,
Alarm telephone
If you are unsure what Parkinson’s disease aids may help you, contact our Occupational Therapist Product Advice team:
Telephone: 0345 121 8111
Email: [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: our Product Advice Team can only give advice about equipment and products which may help you to live more independently. They cannot give any advice on medications or treatments for symptoms of this condition.
Parkinson’s UK provides a leaflet ‘Daily Living Equipment for People with Parkinson’s’ which you may also find helpful.
Exercise for Parkinson’s disease
It is important for a person with Parkinson’s disease to remain as active as possible, to keep themselves healthy. Exercise helps the muscles and joints to stay strong and function as they should. A physiotherapist may be able to recommend a suitable programme of exercise for Parkinson’s disease that takes into account physical abilities and symptoms.
Parkinson’s disease diet
It is important for everybody to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Some people with Parkinson’s may find they have difficulties eating due to poor coordination or physically being unable to grip cutlery, cups etc. Parkinson’s disease eating difficulties may be caused by rigidity or tremors and include eating slowly, problems with chewing motion and keeping food in the mouth, or finding it hard to swallow. If you are having difficulties such as these, a dietician or speech and language therapist may be able to help you. There are also many Parkinson’s disease aids that might assist you.
Parkinson’s UK provides a leaflet called ‘Diet and Parkinson’s’ which provides lots of advice about healthy eating for Parkinson’s disease.
Some people choose to take supplements for Parkinson’s disease, such as calcium, vitamin D, antioxidants and co-enzymes. There is no conclusive evidence that taking Parkinson’s disease supplements reduces symptoms. Speak to your GP or specialist if you are interested in taking supplements.
Parkinson’s disease and employment
Many people with a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis are able to work and do work, in a variety of occupations. Some people are unable to continue in the same job, or prefer to work less due to their symptoms. You will find the right solution for you. To find out more about financial support if you feel you are unable to work, visit the Money Advice Service website.