OT_for_PD_Nov_2018

Occupational Therapy for Parkinson's PWR! Wellness Series

November 18th, 2020

4:30-6:00 pm (Arizona Time)

Occupational therapists empower people to increase independence and overall function in daily life activities. Emily Rich, a PWR!Moves Certified Therapist, will share an overview of strategies OTs implement in treating symptoms of PD. She will share strategies for improving fine motor skills needed for: buttoning clothes, tying shoes, writing by hand, and feeding/eating.  She will also share techniques to increase safety in the bathroom, prevent falls, make modifications to conserve energy and decrease fatigue, encourage independence in kitchen tasks and cognitive/thinking skills, achieve restful sleep, and more.

Previously Recorded 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) 

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