Belmont Village Oak Park offers residents weekly Parkinson’s Exercise Classes, as a way to help improve activities of daily living. The class helps improve strength, endurance and coordination. 
Belmont Village Oak Park offers residents weekly Parkinson’s Exercise Classes, as a way to help improve activities of daily living. The class helps improve strength, endurance and coordination. 
Belmont Village Oak Park offers residents weekly Parkinson’s Exercise Classes, as a way to help improve activities of daily living. The class helps improve strength, endurance and coordination.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time to spotlight one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s. While Parkinson’s does not yet have a cure, the millions of Americans diagnosed with Parkinson’s can live fulfilling lives with the right care and support.
Parkinson’s affects everybody differently, and this makes early diagnosis tricky. People typically think first of the motor-related symptoms of Parkinson’s; tremors, slow movements, difficulty with balance, etc. Parkinson’s also manifests in other forms, however, such as depression, sleep disorders, and cognitive issues, which doctors may initially diagnose as something else.
Parkinson’s is undoubtedly a challenge for those affected by it, but proper care and lifestyle changes can help to manage the disease and to slow its progression. Regular exercise, of 2.5 hours a week or more, has been shown to slow disease progression and improve overall well-being. Therapy (physical, occupational, and speech) is also crucial in maintaining both independence and quality of life.
In the early stages of Parkinson’s, the emotional effects can be as difficult to navigate as the physical effects. In this stage especially, having a strong emotional support system, which can mitigate the effects of depression and other related symptoms, is every bit as important as any physical and therapeutic support.
Over time, Parkinson’s makes routine activities such as dressing, eating, and bathing more difficult. By implementing a small number of practical changes, a patient with Parkinson’s can maintain independence for an extended period. For example, exchanging clothing with buttons for similar clothing with elastic waistbands and Velcro can allow someone with Parkinson’s to continue dressing themselves; similarly, using an electric toothbrush and an electric razor can allow them to continue to groom themselves. For safety and increased mobility in the home, rearranging the furniture, careful attention to removing obstacles, and the addition of grab bars have proven beneficial.
With the right approach—combining medication, exercise, and thoughtful adaptations—those with Parkinson’s can continue to live active, meaningful lives. Let’s use this month to spread awareness of Parkinson’s and to support those affected by this disease.
840 S Oak Park Ave, Ste 211 Oak Park, IL 60304 • (312) 212-0834 • firstlighthomecare.com/home-healthcare-oak-park
