Parkinson’s is a very individual condition and so each person will find their own way of coping and managing their symptoms.
Often a combination of approaches is helpful, but before making any changes it is very important that you discuss with your doctor any proposed changes. You may need to adopt a trial and error approach to find what works best for you.
Conventional and complementary treatments:
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Conventional therapies, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy
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Complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, reflexology, yoga and Tai Chi
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Surgical treatments are also available but are not suitable for everyone and should only be undertaken after very careful consideration and discussion with your doctor.
Lifestyle changes
Changes in life-style can also really help, for example diet and nutrition, exercise, and managing stress. Careful planning can be key to organising your day better and saving energy, for example doing several jobs in the same place at once, or doing the most strenuous activities when medication is working well and taking rests when needed. You should also prioritise and decide what activities are most important, and accept your limitations if you cannot achieve all you would wish to do.
Whilst these changes may be very small in the early stages, they can become more significant as the condition progresses. There is no doubt that a positive outlook, with a determination to overcome obstacles, will also help.
Accepting change is an important step in successfully managing your Parkinson’s. It is often challenging at first, it’s frustrating when you are forced to play nine holes of golf instead of a usual 18, or when you have to take a shorter walk than normal. But being able to adapt, for example in your personal relationships, ways in which you travel or spend leisure time, and in your care and nutrition, means you can continue to lead a fulfilling, happy, good quality of life. Having Parkinson’s does not mean everything is over.
It's often useful to see how other patients deal with their own Parkinson's and many of them devise their own strategies for coping with certain difficulties.
For more helpful hints and tips on everyday living see Helpful hints.
