The are several things that can be done to help reduce the adverse effects of Parkinson's:
Eating a nutritionally balanced diet containing plenty fruit vegatebles and whole grains;
Doing weight bearing exercises such as walking, jogging and dancing. Swimming and gardening are also beneficial;
Walking with care, stopping and checking your posture if you begion to shuffle, using walking shoes rather than trainers, taking long steps;
Avoiding falls, taking up tai chi, wearing rubber soled shoes, removing all rugs from your home, installing handrails and grab bars, keeping
electrical and telephone cords out of the way:
Allowing plenty of time to get dressed, choosing clothes that are easy to slip on, using clothes and shoes with velcro fastners;
Communicating more easily by using a voice than is louder than you think necessary, practising reading or reciting out loud, speaking for yourself and
not letting others speak for you, seek an appointment with a speech and language therapist;
Learning as much as possible about Parkinson's, this will help you take a more active role in the management of your care;
Taking an active role in your care. It really does help to make important decsions for yourself;
Consider joining a support group which can be a useful provider of information as well as support;
Minimising stress in your place of work by talking to your employers and being honest with them about your diagnosis and the likely impact this will
have on your work performance. Employers are not allowed to victimise people because of a medical condition and should be felxible in enabling you
to do your job;
Maintaining open and honest communication with friends and family is important in enabling everyone to have fairly clear expectations about the
progress of the disease and to be able to voice concerns and anxieties. This is especially important for partners who will need to take on more
responsibilites as time goes on.
