Daily living with advanced Parkinson's can make regular, routine activities harder. You may need to make changes to your home life and daily habits as your symptoms progress.
Planning ahead can help you feel empowered. When you have an idea of what changes to expect, it can help you decide how to respond. And you'll know how to adapt as challenges come your way.
Include your loved ones in your planning so they can help support you emotionally. It can also give them a better idea of what the future may hold.
Your friends and loved ones can play a key role in helping you maintain your quality of life, comfort, and safety.
Advanced Parkinson's Stages and Your Active Life
If you think about the ways Parkinson's disease can advance, it may help you understand its stages. Doctors recognize five Parkinson's disease stages, based on motor, or movement-related, symptoms.
Experts don't agree on how to define advanced PD. Some say it's when you reach stage 4, but others think it's when you can't stand or walk without help.
Some Parkinson's symptoms can impact your daily life, even if other people can't see them. These can range from constipation and loss of smell to trouble sleeping and anxiety.
Tips for Daily Living With Advanced Parkinson's
As your condition advances, daily tasks can get harder. Here are some tips to help you stay active for as long as you can.
Standing and sitting
Try to sit in a chair with sturdy arm rests that you can hold on to. And try to use your walker as much as possible, especially when you turn to sit down.
When you get up, go "nose over toes." That means, lean forward to get into a standing position.
Walking
Remember to take long steps instead of shorter ones. Smaller steps can make it harder to keep your balance.
Eating
Look into spoons, forks, and knives that make eating easier. You might try curved knives and spoons.
You can also try covered cups or plate guards that keep food from falling off your plate.
Swallowing
Hard, dry, or chewy foods can be harder to get down. Try soft foods, like rice, eggs, or beans, because they're easier to swallow.
Getting dressed
Choose soft, loose, or stretchy clothes. Try to wait to get dressed until after you take your Parkinson's medication and it starts working.
Talking with others
It can feel easier to talk to other people if you're one-on-one. Without any background noise or distractions, you may find it easier to concentrate.
If your voice gets quiet, taking a deep breath before you speak can help your voice sound louder.
Having energy for what you want to do
Try to prioritize the things you need or really want to do. Don't forget to build in time to rest throughout the day.
Thinking clearly
Give yourself grace. Accept that you'll have good days and bad days. Sticking to a daily routine can help.
So can getting rid of clutter in your home. Too much "stuff" may make your physical or thinking issues worse.
Home Safety Tips
Keeping your home safe can also allow you to be independent longer. An occupational therapist can assess your home and help lower your fall risk. They can help you prevent falls, use devices, and more.
When to Consider Assisted Living
Assisted living is a good option as you need more help to remain as independent as possible.
An assisted living facility can be a good fit when:
- Your loved ones aren't able to provide enough care.
- Your home is no longer safe or easy for you to get around.
- You need more help, but you aren't ready for more intensive, 24-hour care from skilled nurses.
Finding an Assisted Care Facility
Finding the "right" facility can take time. Start looking well before you wish to move.
Plan ahead for nursing home care
An assisted living facility can help you stay independent and assist you with daily activities.
When your Parkinson's symptoms progress to the point that you need more support, you could move into a skilled nursing facility. They provide 24-hour access to nurses and nursing assistants.
The website eldercare.acl.gov is an online tool that can connect you to helpful resources in your community, such as:
- Area and state departments of aging
- Legal resources
- Health insurance counseling
Remember You Aren't Alone
Living with Parkinson's disease may feel overwhelming as your symptoms advance. But you don't need to figure out your next steps alone.
Consider joining an online or in-person Parkinson's support group. Connecting to others who are facing similar challenges can help you find new ways to deal with issues. It can also help you feel more connected to others going through the same thing.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: Moment/Getty Images
SOURCES:
Parkinson's Foundation: "Planning Ahead," "Activities of Daily Living," "Practical Pointers," "Thinking Changes and Dementia," "Finding the Right Skilled Nursing Facility," "Home Safety."
American Parkinson Disease Foundation: "Planning for Advanced Parkinson's Disease."
Temple Health: "Newly Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease? Here's What You Need to Know."
HHS Administration for Community Living: "Eldercare Locator."
Medicare.gov: "Find and compare providers near you."
AHCA/NCAL: "Resources for Consumers: What Is Assisted Living?"
Elder Care Alliance: "A Complete Assisted Living Checklist for Moving Your Loved One."
Parkinson Society British Columbia: "Managing Advanced Parkinson's," "Support Groups."
