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Eat well and keep active
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It is important to keep healthy and active to help your body cope with the condition in the best way possible.
Try to maintain a good diet and exercise regularly, even if it is only a short walk each day.
Keep up the activities you enjoy and your social contact with family and friends.
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Complementary therapies, such as physical therapy, yoga, and the Alexander
technique can play an
important role in managing your condition.
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Persevere
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Try not to be discouraged or depressed if Parkinson's disease slows you down or makes routine activities more
difficult. Certain tasks may become harder to perform, but try to stick with them until you find
the best way to overcome these obstacles.
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Keeping a positive attitude and maintaining a daily routine has been shown to
be important in helping to manage Parkinson's for the long term.
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Inform the right people and plan for the future
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Remember to inform the right people after you have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Long-term
financial planning should start as soon as possible. If you have medical insurance, find out what
it will cover. If you have other insurance policies, check whether these include long-term
disability coverage. It can also help to gain advice on what legal documents might be required
for your future medical and personal care.
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Adjusting your daily lifestyle
Dressing: dressing can be frustrating for someone with Parkinson's disease.
The loss of fine movement control can make it hard to button and zip clothes.
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Always allow plenty of time to dress so that you do not feel rushed. You may find it easier to do things like buttons while sitting in a chair with arm rests.
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If necessary, choose clothes that you can slip on easily, such as simple dresses,
jumpers or trousers with elastic waistbands, and shoes with velcro rather than laces.
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Sitting, standing and walking: if sitting down or getting up again is difficult, choose a high, straight-backed chair with arms. Avoid deep, soft armchairs or settees.
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Stand still for a few seconds after rising to regain your balance.
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If you become frozen in one place, try rocking gently from side to side or pretending you are stepping over an object on the floor.
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To avoid tripping and falling, try to maintain clear pathways through your home so that
you can easily walk around furniture.
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Physical therapy and other complementary therapies can help to provide you
with specific exercises to assist with balance and walking.
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Writing: many people with Parkinson's disease find that their writing can become smaller and smaller (this is known as micrographia).
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If you experience micrographia, you may find it easier to use an electronic typewriter or computer.
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An occupational therapist can advise on methods or equipment to make writing easier.
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Speaking: some people can develop problems with their speech, and their voice may become very soft or hoarse, slurred, or shaky.
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If you experience difficulties with speech, try to face the person you are talking to, and deliberately speak louder than you think is necessary. It may help to practice reading or reciting out loud.
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If you are experiencing any problems with your speech, ask to be referred to a speech therapist.
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Traveling
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Careful planning can make traveling much easier and more enjoyable.
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It is advisable not to leave the house without at least a day's supply of medication.
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It may help to keep a few extra pills in your bag, and to carry a supply of snacks and a carton of water or juice to take with your medication. This will allow you the flexibility to change your plans.
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When taking a long journey it can help to rest on both the day before you leave and the day after you arrive. It may also help to drink plenty on the days before and after you travel. This will let you drink less on the day you travel and reduce visits to the bathroom.
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When traveling for extended periods of time, ask your physician to recommend a neurologist in the place you are visiting in case you need to see a doctor quickly.
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If there is a time change at your destination remember to take your medications as prescribed, keeping to the same number of hours between doses.
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When traveling abroad, check your medical insurance to ensure you are adequately covered.
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Traveling by plane
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Take advantage of early boarding privileges, where available.
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Check in early and request an aisle seat close to the toilet if mobility is a
problem.
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Do not hesitate to request a wheelchair or electric cart to get to and from the plane. This will help cut down on the overall fatigue of air travel.
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Take all the medication for your entire trip in your hand luggage, since loss of checked baggage or flight delays could leave you without enough medication.
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Advice on adapting your work environment
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A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease does not necessarily mean that you have to stop working. In fact, many people with Parkinson's disease who are of working age continue to have either full- or part-time jobs.
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However, you may need to evaluate whether your current job is right for you. In some cases it may be worth considering working from home, working part-time, or changing jobs.
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If you feel comfortable doing so, it can help to discuss things with your manager. That way, you can work together to make the adjustments necessary to make your work environment more comfortable and safe.
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If you are concerned about how your employer may react, it may help to discuss this with your local Parkinson's society or to get legal advice about the Americans with Disabilities Act to make sure you know your rights.
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Simple modifications can be very effective; try to create a work schedule that allows you to do the most demanding tasks in periods of good energy and mobility. Allow plenty of time for each task and try to avoid rushing. It may help to vary work tasks to avoid repetition and possible fatigue.
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It is important to schedule regular breaks throughout the day; if you are working with a computer, try to avoid long periods of time in front of the monitor without interruption.
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When seated, try to change positions frequently throughout the day to minimize rigidity and muscle strain.
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Ask your physician if you can be referred to an occupational therapist to discuss practical aids that might help you at work.
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