HANDY HINTS FROM MEMBERS

Sharing ideas is an important part of meeting together at Support Groups.  When a few have the same problems, it is possible that someone has tried out something or read something that is worth trying to gain some relief from a couple of the many symptoms.  Here are a few of the ideas that have been shared at meetings during the past few years.  If any members have some other ideas, please let us know.

Take your medication on time, every time.  This helps in keeping the dopamine level steady in your brain thus avoiding sudden ups and downs, causing uncomfortable symptoms of PD or side effects from the medication.  Also, a regular routine allows your specialist to decide more easily how to adjust your medications to help you.

Take your medication at least a half-hour before eating or drinking protein, or, take the medication an hour after you have had protein.  Protein interacts with levodopa, negating much of its purpose.

Take your medication with a full glass of fluid. This helps to flush the tablets down to where they can get absorbed.  A person with PD often has slower digestive tract muscles so medications can get stuck along the way.

Try to ensure you are never constipated.  If you are 'backed up', then the medications do not get absorbed nearly as well.

Consider using a stick or a walker rather than run the risk of a fall. (Pride comes before a fall, literally in the case of some PwP).

Do exercises to improve balance and gait.

Remove rugs and cords about the house and anywhere you stay.

Take care with little things eg where your bed cover meets the floor at the corners of the bed - very easy to get your foot caught up as you move around the bedroom - this is because with PD you tend not to lift your feet as well - try tucking the corners in.

Later you might need a fall alarm to alert others to a fall.

See your GP, specialist, and your optician.

Prisms in lenses in glasses can help.

Eye exercises might help.

If you use glasses to read, make sure that your glasses are for reading ONLY – not bifocal or graduated. Also, you can wear an eyepatch over one eye when reading– this often removes the double vision.

For continued vision problems, contacting Vision Australia might provide you with some support.

This is caused by PwP not swallowing often enough to keep the saliva gathering in their mouth.  Weaker muscles in the face also allow the saliva to slip out.

For excess saliva, try chewing gum. This ensures swallowing more often to reduce the saliva gathering in your mouth.

Sometimes Botox injections can help - talk to your doctor.

If you have thick saliva in the morning, try a drink of one third lemon juice and two-thirds water.

It is important to have information available about your medications, and, of course, that you have Parkinson's Disease, in the case of an emergency.

TAKE YOUR MEDS WITH YOU TO HOSPITAL IN CASE THERE IS A DELAY IN PHARMACY SUPPLY IN THE HOSPITAL.

Members suggest the following:

• Wristbands from PQI
• Wallet cards
• MedicAlert bracelets/pendants
• A written list kept on the fridge, in your bag, with your children ...
• PQI Grab Bags

KEEP YOUR MEDICATION LIST CURRENT.

Tilt the head forward – chin towards chest before swallowing. This narrows the airways and helps to prevent choking on food.

‘Hot Hands/Toes’ are presently available for instant warmth at a range of pharmacies and other outlets. They are air-activated warmers and are worth a try when cold hands/feet become really uncomfortable.  Ask your pharmacist.

Heated wheat bags are handy too.

• Sit down to put your clothes on.
• Use tongs to pull your tops around from the back.
• Buy a button helper to do up buttons.
• Buy a sock slider to put on socks.
• Shoes can be difficult to get on and off - some members buy  Kroten Casual Shoes with lock-laces. 
• Your can get trousers with elastic waists that still have a belt and fly but can possibly be pulled up more easily.

Holding a coin in your hand and rubbing it will focus your hand movement and give you a break from the tremor on occasions when it is important to you.

A two-handled cup might save a hot spill.

A wide rimmed cup is useful.

Constipation is common for PwP.  

Try to always follow your doctor's suggestions for medications with regard to this.

Drink plenty of fluids with any bulk you eat eg dried fruit, bran ....

Try to exercise or walk regularly.

Golden kiwifruit contain a natural, gentle laxative chemical.

Sometimes a simple door chime can be used as a call bell for help - in the bathroom; out the back in the garden etc.  Keep the chime where the partner can hear it and the alarm button with the PwP.  

Bunnings have some very reasonable ones.

Fine motor skills can be a problem when trying to pull cards from a wallet - use some book mark stickers to stick to the card and then you can pull out the card using the sticker, much more easily.

Keeping screen doors open for easy access and then closing them after you can be a problem around the house.  Magnetic stops seem far too strong and hard to manage.  Some members use velcro adhesive tape.  Some on the wall; some on the door.  Holds the door open easily (even catching with a gentle push open) and then a very easy pull to close.

Can be used for other purposes as well around the house eg holding a pick-up stick within reach; a walking stick on a wheelie walker ...

For shaking hands, a two handled cup is useful.  Most Disability Assistive Shops stock plastic cups but to get a ceramic one go online and google availability. 

Also if your neck is stiff from PD, it is hard to tip normal cups up enough to drink well.  Try getting some wide rimmed ceramic cups - 450 ml ones will do the trick.  Buy a set so everyone can use them.  You can get some lovely ones.

Sometimes the length of a bath towel can get in the way of someone with PD.  They can cause a person to feel unbalanced or to trip.  So, if you are having difficulties with this, the suggestion is to use two small hand towels instead of the larger bath towel.  Easier to manage!