10 Jan Parkinson’s Disease Treatment: An Occupational Therapist’s Role

Parkinson’s Disease, a condition affecting the mind and body, has historically been treated solely as a motor disorder. When providing Parkinson’s Disease treatment, Occupational Therapists have traditionally addressed areas such as self-care, handwriting, and getting around a person’s everyday environment. Unfortunately, referrals for Occupational Therapy are not typically sent until patients in need of Parkinson’s Disease treatment are in the later stages of their illness, at which point there has been a significant lost in independence for activities completed in the home and community, making Occupational Therapy intervention more reactive vs. proactive in nature. However, as medical management improves and neurologists learn to refer their clients to Occupational Therapists at the time of diagnosis, people living with Parkinson’s are learning how to manage their disease and remain independent for longer periods of time!

Occupational Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

Occupational Therapy is a profession built on supporting independence in all daily occupations. When it comes to helping people receive Parkinson’s Disease treatment, therapists’ still address self-care, handwriting, and mobility, but with earlier intervention, Occupational Therapists can plan for changes that occur with the progression of the disease. Parkinson’s Disease treatment and proactive management includes home modification needs, strategies for managing energy, and providing education to the client and caregivers.

“As an Occupational Therapists with extensive experience working with people who have Parkinson’s Disease, I can say that many of my clients want help primarily with basic self care,” Jennica Colvin, Owner and Occupational Therapists at Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions in Boerne, TX states. “For example, many complain of difficulty feeding themselves without food falling off the utensil, which is is not only frustrating but also embarrassing. With my Parkinson’s Disease Treatment Program, I provide both physical and emotional support by showing them how to make small effective changes such as propping their elbows and forearms for stability to reduce tremors, use adaptive utensils that are weighted but look like regular utensils, and support them in telling friends and families about their disease so their level of self-consciousness decreases.”

Another need for clients with Parkinson’s is mobility. Often, people with this disease lose their sense of erect posture. Their body tells them that standing back on their heels is normal, which unfortunately can lead to imbalance. One common issue is the difficulty with leaning forward to reach for items such as groceries, as they often stand back up too far onto their heels which may lead to a fall. “As part of the Parkinson’s Disease Treatment at Trio Rehabilitation & Wellness Solutions, we recommend practical advice and simple solutions such as wearing a weighted scarf or vest, which allows the weight to counterbalance their posture,” Jennica Colvin offered.

Early Occupational Therapy Intervention with Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

“We are noticing a positive trend of people seeking Parkinson’s Disease treatment sooner rather than later,” Jennica Colvin stated. “Acting early allows those living with Parkinson’s to discover solutions to everyday problems the disease presents during the early stages. And, as we all know, ‘early intervention is the best intervention’, a phrase that applies to people across all walks of life; even those living with Parkinson’s!”

With Parkinson’s Disease treatment, early intervention is key. When people diagnosed with Parkinson’s engages in occupational therapy, they not only learn how to manage the disease sooner rather than later, they also accept the disease faster and in a more productive manner.

Acceptance and ownership of a disease can reduce shame, depression, and dependence on others long before dependence is needed. Occupational Therapists are key players in teaching a person with Parkinson’s how to modify, adapt, and cope. Education and proactive management is vital for a person living with this disease. With Parkinson’s Disease treatment, whether it’s early intervention or in later stages, therapy can help people living with Parkinson’s live life to the fullest!

To learn more about Parkinson’s Disease, as well as the benefits of early Occupational Therapy, visit Parkinson.org. To enhance your Parkinson’s Disease treatment with Occupational Therapy, give us a call at 830-755-6091.