April is Occupational Therapy Month and Parkinson’s Awareness Month. What do the two have in common? Occupational and other therapies can help those living with Parkinson’s!
Before we explain how occupational therapy can help Parkinson’s, let’s shed some light on this disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive neuromuscular disorder or a neurodegenerative disorder that results in the loss of dopamine-producing cells (neurons) in the brain. Many theories exist on why these neurons die, but no single cause exists. To put it into perspective, let’s explore what dopamine in the brain does.
Dopamine helps motor signals find their way to the cerebrum and the motor neurons in the body. If the signals get “stuck” or can’t find an open pathway, we lose motor initiation and motor control, leading to symptoms such as:
Stooped posture
Back rigidity
Flexed elbows & wrists
Tremors in legs
Masked face
Forward tilt of the trunk
Reduced arm swing
Hand tremors
Slightly flexed hips & knees
Shuffling, short-stepped gait
Common earliest signs of Parkinson’s:
Fatigue
Decreased ability to smell (which may also lead to appetite changes and weight loss)
Constipation
Small, cramped handwriting
Voice changes
Stooped posture
The early signs of Parkinson’s disease often go unrecognized. The body tries to alert you to this movement disorder for years before movement difficulties are generally even recognized, and your body compensates for these early warning signs. However, more noticeable symptoms occur as the disease progresses to the mid-to-late stages.
Four major characteristics:
Tremors (shaking that occurs at rest)
Stiffness in the arms, legs, and trunk
Slow movements
Problems with balance and a tendency to fall
Secondary symptoms:
Reduced arm swinging when walking
Tendency to get “stuck” when walking
Tendency to fall forward
Muffled, low-volume speech
Blank facial expression
Decreased blinking and swallowing
Lesser-known symptoms:
Increased risk of melanoma (skin cancer)
Flaky white or yellow scales on the skin, known as seborrheic dermatitis
Sleep disturbances with vivid dreams
Hallucinations
Difficulty with visual-spatial relationships
Problems with attention and memory
Depression
Anxiety
Muscular pain
What Relief is Available?
Therapies, in general, help those who wish to maintain their independence. Occupational therapy, or OT, can help those living with Parkinson’s to learn how to complete daily tasks in a way that reduces pain and increases safety.
OT is beneficial for those trying to maintain independence while living with Parkinson’s disease because the focus is on safe movements that you need to make as you go about your day. From safely showering, dressing, and completing other hygiene-related tasks to preparing food and cleaning up your home, occupational therapy helps you learn how to keep everything you need to do throughout the day to remain healthy.
Physical therapy can also help those with Parkinson’s disease with motor control, gait and balance training, and posture. Here are some additional specialized treatments that can offer relief to those living with Parkinson’s:
LSVT BIG® and LOUD®
Since 1987, individuals have been experiencing the benefits of amplitude-based treatment developed by Dr. Lorraine Ramig called Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT LOUD). It is based on the principle of “recalibrating” the understanding of using the voice to provide for increased volume, clarity of speech, and facial expression. A specially trained speech therapist directs LSVT LOUD and follows a specific dosage for optimal results. More recently, LSVT BIG has been developed with the same principles of amplitude-based training and recalibration from LSVT LOUD, but this time to focus on the body’s overall movements. Certified physical and occupational therapists lead the participant through a one-on-one, intensive four-week program to optimize the performance of walking, balance, dressing, handwriting, and whatever other tasks are meaningful to each participant.
Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!)
Parkinson Wellness Recovery (PWR!) is a model of fitness and health for life developed by Dr. Becky Farley in 2010 for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. It creates a natural flow to and from group fitness classes and skilled one-on-one therapy with a certified PWR! occupational or physical therapist to decrease symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and promote an optimal quality of life. PWR! uses four primary movements, PRW! Up, PWR! Rock, PWR! Twist and PWR! The steps that work to counteract the symptoms of stiffness, slowness of movement, incoordination, and reduced body awareness are commonly found in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. PWR! builds physical, cognitive, and emotional health through specialized delivery of service and through empowering participants to live well every day.
Rock Steady Boxing
Empowerment and hope are the keywords for Rock Steady Boxing. This one-of-a-kind program is designed to knock out the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease through a specially designed non-contact boxing program. It optimizes physical fitness and provides a non-traditional support group where participants and their care partners unite to fight against Parkinson’s disease. Whether you consider yourself an athlete or not, this program is for you!
With the help of CaringEdge’s outpatient therapy services, there is hope for those facing Parkingson’s disease or even those typical problems that can accompany aging! We can help those in need to find relief and comfort. Reach out to us today at info@caringedge.com to learn more.
Perhaps you’ve had a recent fall or a near miss or didn’t move as much as you would have liked this winter. Aging, injuries, stiffness, and being cooped up indoors can slow us down. The good news is there’s room to improve!
Did you know that walking speed can predict the future of your independence? Research shows that the slower someone walks, the more likely they are to have difficulty with tasks of daily living, more likely to have falls, and more likely to be hospitalized! This is astounding information, and many don’t realize that gait speed can be tested and improved.
What is Gait Speed?
How fast someone walks.
A Gait Speed Evaluation Can Predict:
The risk of future falls
If assistance may be needed with tasks of daily living/personal care
Life expectancy
Why Complete a Gait Speed Analysis?
If you’re falling, losing balance, or you’ve started to slow down, the test may help indicate if you’re at risk for further decline. It can help your healthcare providers create a plan of care to help you improve. Sometimes, the plan can include outpatient therapies along with the recommendation for having help with tasks of daily living to reduce your risk for further decline.
How Long Does the Test Take?
Under five minutes!
What do I have to do?
Walk as usual for a short distance while you’re observed by clinical staff.
Gait Speed Analysis by CaringEdge:
Our physical therapists can offer a gait-speed analysis evaluation. Depending on the results, you could be eligible for regular and routine physical therapy. Physical therapy has been proven to improve independence and safety and, ultimately, enhance your quality of life!
A free gait speed analysis can provide a consistent, reliable, and statistically relevant way to track and prevent falls and calculate the risk for further decline. The scores can also be documented as a data point that we can re-screen regularly to monitor the residents’/patients’ mobility, safety, and risk level with functional mobility.
Demystifying Gait Speed:
Many seniors feel that they have to slow down when they walk. While this rings true when walking on icy or uneven surfaces, it’s not so true for walking around your home daily to complete the tasks you need. The slower seniors walk around their homes, the more likely they will have a trip or a fall.
We say it often: you lose it if you don’t use it. A gait speed analysis can be a great starting point to help you get back to doing the things you want to be doing again. We’d happily meet with you, assess your condition, learn your goals, and create a care plan. Best of all, we accept Medicare for our home health services! Therapies can typically be covered to keep out-of-pocket costs minimal or completely erased.
Your future is now! Let CaringEdge’s therapists and home health get you back to feeling your best. Reach out to us today at info@caringedge.com.
The majesty of winter is here. You’re bundled up and headed out to adore the beauty and ope! You’re staring up at the universe faster than you can say the word ice.
We’ve all been there. When we were young, we might have a good laugh over it. When we begin to age, each fall can cause panic. So, how do you avoid these nasty little blunders when old man winter sets in?
Bundle up (dress for the slide, not the ride—this is usually advice for being on a motorcycle, but it can apply to winter, too)
Go through the snow if it’s safer (wet feet/clothing is no fun, but falls can be worse)
What to do After a Fall
If in doubt, have your doctor check you out! Sometimes, you dust off and get up and limp away, only to find that three days later, you’re struggling with pain in your lower back.
Be diligent and seek care if you have any thought that you’re injured, and ALWAYS see a doctor if you hit your head from a fall. It’s just better to be safe than sorry for falls.
It’s also important to track how many falls you’ve had. Those who have fallen often need to see their doctors to learn the root causes. It’s not always a slippery floor. There could be several factors putting someone at risk.
When you see your doctor, list all your symptoms and any changes to your sleeping, eating, or activity patterns before you visit. If you’re taking supplements and medications, be sure to bring a current list and be honest about how you take your medications. If you forget now and again, offer that information, too. Your doctor is not there to scold you, but they want the best for you. Clarity is essential to receive the best treatment!
Home Evaluations & Therapy Services
Therapy services from CaringEdge can help! Our physical and occupational therapists can help you get back to working order if you’re falling or at risk of a fall.
Our occupational and physical therapy staff could give you a lot of tips to improve your safety. One of the most important things they can recommend is the placement of grab bars around your home.
Grab bars are often found in the shower or bathroom, but they should always be purchased and installed by someone knowledgeable about how they work. Stick-on or suction grab bars are unlikely effective and could pose a danger if they come unstuck as you fall and grab them.
Check with your doctor to see if you qualify for outpatient or home health therapy services, or contact us at CaringEdge at info@caringedge.com. We aim to help as many seniors as possible to live independently and safely!
Ahh, February. It’s almost time for pink and red decorations, gifts from sweethearts, and sugary snacks—everywhere. Don’t forget; it’s American Heart Month, too!
Did you know that more deadly heart attacks happen during the winter and holiday season? How about the fact from the CDC that 1 in 5 people having a heart attack don’t even know they’re having one?
The American Heart Association reported that December 25th has the highest number of heart attacks compared to any other day during the calendar year. The second-highest day is December 26, followed by the third-highest day on the first of January.
What do all these days have in common? Holidays can throw people off their routines. There may be travel, nights spent sleeping poorly on bony hide-a-beds, more visiting into the late-night hours followed by the early morning coffee chatter that throws people off their routines.
As a result of all the socializing and fun, folks may skip more medications, move less, eat more, and may also use more alcohol or too much caffeine. They’re also probably forgetting their recommended eight glasses of water to flush out the holiday fun.
All of these factors compounded may contribute to the uptick in heart attacks around these days of the year. The good news is that all those dates are behind us, and if you’re enjoying this blog, you can share some of this helpful information with your loved ones!
Do you know what the symptoms of a heart attack are? Many folks don’t know that they’re even having a heart attack!
Pain in the shoulders, arms, neck, back, jaw/teeth, or upper abdominal area
Shortness of breath
Prevention Tips:
Exercise
Follow a heart-healthy diet
See your healthcare provider to know your numbers and your risks
Take medications as prescribed
Use “sometimes” foods and beverages in moderation
Work on stress reduction
Regular & Routine Medical Care
Maintain your health through regular visits to your primary care physician. They can recommend specialty care and services such as home health if you are managing chronic conditions, like diabetes, that put you at risk of a heart attack.
Regular cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose checks help your doctor understand your risks so they can advise you on the next steps. Self-care like managing stress, getting enough sleep and exercise, and eating right can also help to reduce the risks.
Self-Care & Diet
In the land of hard work, slowing down can feel impossible. It can even look selfish to some, causing guilt if we take a moment. But to be healthy, we need prep time to schedule workouts, shop and prepare healthy foods, and relax. We also need the ability to exercise safely.
Heating up quick and ready-to-eat sodium-laden prepackaged foods can take a toll. It’s important to make time to prepare and eat healthy meals. You don’t have to do it alone, though. If you’re struggling to adjust your diet, your doctor may recommend the help of a registered dietician through home health to advise you on making the right changes.
Support at Home
If you’re interested in reducing your risk for a heart attack and could use some help, consider CaringEdge. We offer home health services to make you feel your best.
Our home health nurses can monitor your vitals, medications, and any new symptoms you may be having. Dietitians can also offer education on how your nutritional habits impact your health.
With the help of CaringEdge home health and outpatient therapy, you may regain the ability to exercise and move safely and freely around your home. Lastly, with our help, you can learn how to maintain your health and stay independent in your daily activities.
Let CaringEdge set you up for success, and get back to being you again! Reach out to us at info@caringedge.com with any questions you may have about services.
Aging can present many emotions because, plain and simple, change is uncomfortable. How we look from age 20 to age 40 to age 85 will shift. The way and speed at which we move may be different. How we’ve done everything we’ve known for years can all change faster than we ever dreamed.
The more we change, the harder it can be to stay optimistic about the future. No one wants to worry about who will help them get out of bed or a chair or help them walk safely to the restroom. It’s common for this to weigh heavily on our minds as we age.
We all value our independence. It gives us the freedom to live our lives how we want. Fear of the unknown can take over and make us feel bleak about the future. Thankfully, we don’t have to do it alone. There are medical and professional providers to help ease this burden and gift that we call aging.
Finding Answers
It would be great to have an easy button, a magic wand, or a miracle pill to fix it all. Unfortunately, we all know that’s not an option. One excellent way to improve your outlook for the future is through keeping your abilities. To maintain your abilities, it’s necessary to stay in motion. When doing that is unsafe, painful, or slow, it can seem like an uphill battle. Thankfully, physical therapy can be a helpful way to stay moving!
Physical therapy can help people regain their ability to move freely, safely, and independently. Not having to fear falling or that every step will cause pain can offer some hope. Beyond the hope of safe and pain-free movement, if seniors keep up with exercising and staying mobile after treatment, they can experience more independence and better life satisfaction.
Barriers to Physical Therapy
“I don’t want to.” We all need days of rest, and that’s ok. But too many days of rest and skipping movement can permanently impact your life and your chances to regain your abilities. Think about the future before you habitually skip workouts or therapy sessions.
“I can’t drive.” Living in a rural area away from services is another barrier. Thankfully, a few home health providers can offer physical therapy right where you call home. CaringEdge is one such provider; they see patients at home or on-site in senior living communities.
“It’s icy.”Ice and snow don’t help those with limited mobility, and injuries can set folks back. If you’re trying to get to appointments to improve your health, be safe on the ice, or see if providers can come to visit you at home instead of going out. If you must leave, get someone to help you safely navigate the slick sidewalks.
“It hurts.” If you’re having pain, your healthcare providers must know so they can complete the proper tests and suggest the right approach to care. Physical therapy may help, but the therapists must know how you are feeling so you can benefit from the treatment and not get worse.
“It costs too much!” Surprisingly, physical therapy can be VERY affordable. It’s coverable under most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.
The cost of losing independence and abilities can be more significant than a co-pay! If you have questions about coverage, please ask your doctor or contact CaringEdge.
Honesty is Best
If you’re feeling unsteady, have had falls you’re not telling your family about or are just not feeling as strong as you used to be, check with your doctor, and don’t wait. Share your pain points, fears, and goals. Aging doesn’t have to come with so much anxiety and uncertainty with the right help in place.
If you or someone you care about could benefit from physical therapy or would like to learn more, email us at info@caringedge.com. We’ve helped many seniors improve their lives and find the gold in their golden years!
Bathtime should be relaxing! Whether you like to soak your cares away in a tub filled with bubbles or prefer a warm shower, these cares shouldn’t add stress. For some, bathtime has caused falls, injuries, or near misses to the point that it’s more hassle than self-care should be.
January is many things, but it’s also bathtub safety month. According to the National Council on Aging, 80% of senior falls happen in the bathroom. That number is alarming, but prevention is possible.
Outpatient physical or occupational therapy can help you regain strength and balance and teach you new techniques to safely get in and out of the shower or tub. Outpatient therapists can show you how to move more painlessly based on your needs. Best of all, these experts can recommend everyday exercises to help you stay strong even after you recover.
Therapists may also recommend some helpful equipment to help keep you safe. Shower chairs, grab bars, hand-held shower heads, and long-handled sponges are all useful for safe bathing/showering.
Be cautious when choosing bathroom décor and equipment on your own. Stick-on grab bars are readily available, easy to install, and may be fashionable, but perhaps dangerous to use if they don’t stay in place.
Set up your bathtime to have toiletries easy to grab once you’re finished. Be sure you have proper lighting and that rugs are firmly secured to the floor before hopping in the tub.
Adding a Layer of Safety
Having someone to help you safely step into the tub or wash your back can reduce the risk of falling. If fear or dignity keeps you from a thorough wash, hiring a trusted professional rather than asking a family member can be beneficial. Each person’s comfort level differs, but having family help with the most personal care doesn’t work for everyone.
Regardless of who helps you, ask them to look over your skin during the process. Skin breakdown can affect overall health. Wounds that don’t heal properly can create pain and potentially need antibiotics, wound care, surgeries, or hospitalization.
Skin Checks
Sores
Blisters
Bruises
Wounds
Skin tears
Changes in your skin or moles
CaringEdge can offer home health services that can help you enjoy bathtime again. They can provide home health services from a nurse to address medication safety or outpatient therapists to help you regain your strength and independence with tasks of daily living like bathing. Prevention is always best, so consider getting help before health problems escalate from falls to skin breakdown or more complex issues. Please get in touch with us to learn more at info@caringedge.com.
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