5 common questions persons with Parkinson's ask their occupational therapist
Nicole Tester PhD and Occupational Therapist
When we are evaluated for Parkinson’s disease frequently different types of therapists are involved in the multidisciplinary care. We sat down with Nicole Tester to get her thoughts on the five most common questions she is asked during these visits. Her practical thoughts and insights were enlightening and we hope you enjoy this blog.
Who is Nicole Tester?
Nicole has her PhD in Biomedical Sciences/Neuroscience and her masters in occupational therapy from the University of Florida. She currently is an occupational therapist at UF Health Rehab at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases in Gainesville, FL, and has a courtesy appointment at the University of Florida’s Department of Occupational Therapy. The Norman Fixel Institute is a Parkinson’s disease Foundation Center of Excellence. She has over fifteen years of research experience and has practiced as an occupational therapist for the past five years. She continues to be involved in research that aims to improve the quality of life for persons with Parkinson’s disease. In her clinical role, she works with a team of physical therapists, speech therapists, physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, dieticians, and social workers. This team approach helps individuals with Parkinson’s disease optimally manage their condition and live life to the fullest.
Why am I so weak and what can I do to improve my
strength?
There is a collection of UF Health Videos on exercise at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg2O1Cmn7dk&t=1s
We frequently hear this question in the clinic. However, Parkinson’s disease does not cause a decrease in strength. Rather, the complaint of weakness in persons with Parkinson’s disease is typically associated with rigidity and stiffness. To feel stronger, try a daily stretching routine. You can trial yoga, chair yoga, or perform stretches recommended to you by your physical or occupational therapist. It is important, however, to perform these stretches daily.
I know I should exercise, but I cannot seem to get
motivated to exercise or do anything else.
Apathy, or lack of motivation, is one of the common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet to treat apathy. To address your lack of motivation, try scheduling cardio exercise, stretching exercises, and socialization into your calendar in the same way you schedule your medical appointments. For exercise, try doing this at the same time each day. This helps hold you more accountable. In addition, with time, these activities will become habit and part of your daily routine. You can also educate your family and friends on how Parkinson’s disease affects your motivation. In turn, they may be willing to become your exercise buddy and provide support and encouragement.
I often wake up several times per night to go to the
bathroom and when I have to go, I have to go
urgently. Is this normal?
Image from Harvard Health article on sleep
If you are waking up more than 1-2 times per night to go to the bathroom, this is not normal. Urinary frequency and urgency are common symptoms seen in in both men and women with Parkinson’s disease. Speak with your physician, physical therapist, or occupational therapist if this is a problem for you. You may be a good candidate for a specialty type of physical therapy called pelvic health therapy. Pelvic health therapists help retrain your bladder and strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor that are involved in urination.
How can I remember to take my Parkinson’s disease
medication on time?
Many persons with Parkinson’s disease take medication multiple times per day. This can become difficult to remember, especially when you get busy. To help you remember to take your medication on time, try setting a recurring alarm on your phone to remind you. If you do not use a smart phone, consider purchasing a watch with multiple alarms for medication reminders. If you spend a lot of time at home, you can also program smart devices, such as Alexa, to provide daily reminders. Be sure to always carry your medication and a bottle of water with you so that you have it accessible when you are away from home.
I have noticed changes in my vision, but changes in
my eyeglass prescription have not helped and my
eye doctor cannot find anything wrong.
Parkinson’s disease can sometimes impact vision. Some people with Parkinson’s Disease may experience increased blurriness, double vision, difficulty with vision in low light conditions (e.g. driving at night), or difficulty judging distances (e.g. you may find yourself running into table corners or door frames). This is because Parkinson’s disease can affect your acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual perception. If you are noticing these types of changes, visit an occupational therapist. They will be able to help you find ways to improve your vision.
To read more books and articles by Michael S. Okun MD check on Twitter @MichaelOkun and these websites with blogs and information on his books and http://parkinsonsecrets.com/ #Livingwith Parkinson’s #EndingPD #Parkinsonsecrets #LessonsFromTheBedside
He also serves as the Medical Advisor for the Parkinson’s Foundation.
To see more on Dr. Indu Subramanian she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance.
The blog artist is Jonny Acheson.
