Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's PWR! Wellness Series

Wellness Series Summary: Occupational Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease with Emily Rich, OTR/L, M.O.T. 

Below is a summary of the presentation.

How can an occupational therapist benefit you? 

• Improve your ability to perform activities of daily living 

• Energy conservation techniques 
• Strategies to improve fine motor skills 
• Increasing safety and independence in the home 
• Techniques for improved sleep 

Dressing 

• Use a button hook to assist with dressing 
• Swap out your shoelaces for no tie laces 
• Take medications prior to dressing 
• Perform hand boosts before dressing! 

Handwriting 

• Build up your writing utensil 
• Write on a vertical surface 
• Make sure your shoulder and legs are supported on a solid surface 
• Use wide ruled lined paper 
• Practice daily! 

Eating and Feeding 

• Use weighted utensils or utensils with a built-up handle 
• Perform hand boosts before eating! 

Energy Conservation 

• Get into a routine 

• Take breaks as needed 
• Don’t overdo it 

Creating a Safe Environment 

• Reduce clutter 
• Remove rugs 

• Place chairs around the home for seated breaks 

Sleep 

• Get into a routine 
• Decrease stimulation one hour before bedtime 
• Make sure you have good lighting during the day and adequate darkness at night 

• Practice belly breathing with a focus on long exhales through the nose 

Orthostatic Hypotension 

• Get up slowly 
• Drink around 100 ounces of fluids daily 
• Eat multiple smaller meals instead of a few large meals 

• Before standing, cross your legs and squeeze them together or squeeze your glutes  
• If you feel lightheaded, squat or sit back down  

Cognition 

• Limit multi-tasking 
• Use calendars and alarms as reminders 

• Practice mindfulness 
• Mentally rehearse what you need to do to prepare  
• Keep a positive attitude  

Medication 

• Keep medication in the same place somewhere that is easy to remember 

• Create a medication list with all of your medications, why you are taking them, and any that you have stopped taking 
• MediSafe app is great for reminders 
• Med-Q is a digital pillbox  
• Online pharmacies are available too (ex. PillPack)