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QUALITY OF LIFE
environment. Everyone in the class has
a movement disorder. They have an
idea of what the person sitting next to
them is going through.”
Staying connected to friends and the
overall community is also essential.
“Loneliness is as bad for your health
as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” says
Leon Hyer, PhD, neuropsychologist at
the Georgia Neurosurgical Institute.
“It can impact quality of life and even
lead to heart disease.”
Dr. Hyer recommends adults
volunteer if they are able or join others
to enrich their spiritual health. He also
advises adults to boost their spirits
by keeping a gratitude journal that
outlines what they are thankful for or
watching a funny movie or TV show.
FINDING HOPE AND SUPPORT
Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent
Health offers physical, speech and
occupational therapy for people with
Parkinson’s disease. Physical therapy
helps address problems with balance,
walking and movement. Speech
therapy helps adults speak louder and
more clearly. Occupational therapy
helps make daily activities easier.
“As Parkinson’s disease advances,
people often need help dressing and
bathing,” says Jennifer Peth, OTR/L,
occupational therapist at Rehabilitation
Hospital, Navicent Health. “Driving
also becomes tough as muscles
stiffen. Occupational therapy provides
education and instruction that help
people remain as independent as
possible.”
Navicent Health also hosts the
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group for
adults with Parkinson’s disease that
covers common topics of interest. The
group meets on the third Thursday of
the month at 2 p.m. at Rehabilitation
Hospital, Navicent Health.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
POWER OVER PARKINSON’S,
CALL 478-633-8518. TO LEARN
MORE ABOUT THE PARKINSON’S
DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP, CALL
478-201-6500.
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PARKINSON’S DISEASE—KNOW THE SIGNS
»» Tremors—Adults may notice mild »» Depression and anxiety—As many as
shakiness in their hands, feet or 50 percent of people with Parkinson’s
fingers. Over time, tremors can get disease also have depression. Anxiety
worse and affect other parts of affects as many as 40 percent of those
the body. with the condition.
»» Trouble walking and slow »» Problems thinking clearly or
movements—Individuals with remembering facts—Some people
Parkinson’s may shuffle their feet, feel distracted or have other mild
take small, slow steps, or have trouble changes in their thinking. Others
keeping their balance. have severe problems with memory
and thinking.
»» Muscle stiffness—The muscles in
the neck, arms, shoulders and legs »» Difficulty sleeping—Forty percent of
may stay tense even while people are people with Parkinson’s disease have
resting. This can limit range of motion sleep apnea.
and cause muscle pain.
Keep in mind that Parkinson’s
»» Speech problems—People may notice disease affects everyone differently.
their voices are quieter than usual or Not every person has every symptom.
that they have a hard time swallowing.
CAREGIVERS NEED SUPPORT, TOO!
Rehabilitation Hospital, Navicent Health hosts a Parkinson’s disease
support group for patients and caregivers that meets monthly on the
third Thursday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. This group gives
family members a chance to ask questions and get help dealing with
symptoms and other common challenges. For more information, please
call 478-201-6500.
3 TIPS TO STAY STRONG AT EVERY AGE
No matter your physical limitations, you can take steps to keep your muscles strong. Stay
inspired to move with these tips from Sandra Stone, Power Over Parkinson’s Coordinator
at Wellness Center, Navicent Health:
1. 2. 3.
Do what you enjoy. You don’t need fancy Don’t be afraid to
“Everyone has their likes and
dislikes,” Stone says. “Stick exercise equipment. modify. If you are in
with exercises you enjoy and a wheelchair or have
Fill plastic water bottles trouble standing, try
work at your own pace. If with sand to create light, exercises you can do
you’re having a bad day or three-pound weights you while sitting, such as
can lift to maintain arm
aren’t feeling well, take leg lifts.
it easy.” strength.
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