Patient/caregiver was educated on lifestyle modifications for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease as follows:
- Exercise helps to reduce rigidity and improve ease of movement in individuals with Parkinson’s. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease must observe compliance with daily exercise schedule. Do not over do on the exercise recommended to a point that it leads to exhaustion and fatigue. Check with your physician or therapist regarding recommendations and limitations for your daily exercise schedule. Observe compliance with recommendations made and limitations suggested. If the symptoms are severely incapacitating, starting with a 5-minutes exercise plan and slowly extending it to the recommended duration in a step-wise fashion, over a period of time, can be helpful.
- Observe compliance with prescribed anti-parkinsonian drugs, if any. Carefully watch for the symptoms of Parkinson’s such as, difficulty initiating movement, rigidity, and tremor and their response to treatment. Report to your physician regarding poorly controlled or worsening symptoms of the disease, for any needed changes to be made in the treatment plan.
- Falls and accidents can be frequent in Parkinson’s patients due to the rigidity, impaired coordination, and difficulty initiating movements. Observe compliance with the general fall precautions and use of assistive devices, as recommended, for fall & accident prevention. Having a seat attached to the assistive device, as appropriate, can help with taking a break for rest during ambulation, as needed. During the night, leave your assistive device by your bedside for an easy reach. This can help pick them up on a restroom trip easily.
