Have you discovered and hacks or devices that help you cope with Parkinson’s?
For example, I read that swallowing is easier if you turn your head to the side and tip your chin down.
I am also thinking about getting a book holder.
Any other ideas? Doesn’t have to be revolutionary.
I was choking when trying to swallow pills. It is much easier now as I first swallow a little water to lubricate my throat, then roll the pills around in my mouth to lubricate them before tilting my head up or NOT xxxxbackxxxx when swallowing.
Good advice RoyProp!
Local hospital Parkinson’s physio advised not to swallow with head back. Keep it upright to avoid choking.
My husband with PD struggled with pills and he now takes them with yoghurt which I make with easiyo as it doesn't have bits He manages much better
After a pill stopped halfway down, I had to eat a piece of bread to complete its journey.
Now I use a pill crusher.
I’ve stated before that I use a stylus to type out messages, like this one, because of the shakiness and stiffness of PD to the fingers and hands. I use a mesh tipped, short stylus, that serves me well ( friendly Swede brand ). It enables me to type longer, with fewer mistakes. Also, because I seem to always spill beverages when going from the kitchen to front room, I use a foam/paper carry out cup with a lid for my hot coffee or tea every day. That way, wherever I go or take it, I won’t spill it. It may not be a proper cup, etiquette wise, but then having PD isn’t the most pleasant of ailments to have ( to put it mildly ). Using paper plates and bowls, instead of proper plates and bowls is something I do at times, because occasionally I lose my grip and drop things. I use bigger, rounded soup spoons, rather than small spoons.I use only kettles with two large handles on both sides, so that I can grasp them with both hands, and not take the chance of dropping with one hand. I use a griddle, instead of a frying pan. We bought a house with a walk in shower in one bathroom and a tub in another, and plenty of grip bars. There are no steps in our house, and doors to all rooms are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, including a master bedroom and bathroom. I always take small bites, especially of meat and bread products, and chew them well, before swallowing, so that I don’t choke. I’d better stop 🛑 before I write a book and bore everybody. Tally ho, it’s time to stretch a bit! Talk to you fellow Parkies a bit later.
Satin/silk pajamas make it easier to turn over in bed.
I much prefer real books to the Kindle but I have succumbed, as it allows me to read larger heavier books. Due to pain in my arms a lot of books were just too heavy and awkward to read in bed at night.
Probably obvious but I like my bed rail. Makes turning over easier and getting out of bed. I also rely on my iPhone alarm for medication times. I have a gadget for doing up buttons. I avoid buttons on my clothes but use it when I iron my husbands shirts. One of my PD friends has a gadget for putting on socks. He’s waiting for an invention that can take them off.
At times it is hard for me to pull my pants up , any tricks that might help?
Many times I wear pants with drawstrings. I just pull on each drawstring to pull pants up and then tie the strings up. When I have to wear a belt, I have two long hooks that I use to pull on each side loop of pants to pull them up, because I have that problem too.
Loose, elastic waist pants or leggings with a wide waistband.
Like Enidah I do almost all my reading on a tablet. Higher thread count sheets and we only use a down comforter without a top sheet. Electric toothbrush and floss sticks.
Yes my husband gets tangled in top sheet and so comforter for us
I saw those dress hooks on eBay I did not get any yet. I put my thumbs in the loops of a jean end pull up but it's hard when my hands are behind me
Yes lots!
Silk sheets and pj’s help in turning over but can allow you to fall out of bed as well so be careful.
Lyft spoon/fork device allows you to get any food, even peas, to your mouth without spilling.
A ceiling mounted trapeze thing like they use over beds in hospitals is great for getting out of bed and pulling oneself up to top of bed.
Tension bar next to bed with swinging bar a huge help getting in and out. Also a drink cup with straw used by handicapped on wheelchairs can go right on it.
Dr. Leonard catalog has a lot of strange things but they have a portable but sturdy white metal stand which can be used right in front of toilet or chair to hold onto getting up and down.
A toilet seat bidet was one of the best things we bought. We bought Hyundai but there are lots of others. Easy to install.
The paper bibs the dentist uses are great, don’t require buttons, snaps...just press the little strap on and after use, throw away. If you have a nice dentist, he’ll sell you some.
Use those brown med bottles w ez open lids to lay out supplements for a month at a time. Magic marker the tops with numbers to indicate the order in which you take them...1 is before breakfast, 2 is with breakfast, etc. and I DO hope you are taking a substantial supplement regimen.
Shoes with Velcro fasteners.
Remove buttons from men’s shirts. Sew buttonhole closed and put button on top. Put little squares of Velcro under and on corresponding placket. It will be simple to use and look perfectly normal.
Do the same with pants by removing zipper. And replacing it with Velcro.
If you are really serious about helping to improve your Pd then read my profile and contact me, it costs nothing.
Hi Marci using straw helps me . When I wax tang fluids I use to cough a lot . Always little bid escape down the wrong way.But sense I use the straw ,no problem.
Good luck / Maja
sorry for the miss spelling I meant was taking
I read the advice from a speech therapist who said repeating "may-me-my-moe" for 15 minutes each day would strengthen throat muscles and help with swallowing.
I use a walker to get around. It reduces my fear of tripping and falling. I also have arthritis in my knees. I had to get over my ego to use it but it’s better than falling and breaking some bones .
After a couple of falls with a concussion, blunt force trauma to the head etc. , I took the advice of my Orthopedic Dr., who wanted me to purchase a three pronged cane. It helps steady me, when I feel my balance is off, or when I’m having trouble with orthostatic hypotension. I have severe arthritis, Ataxia and Parkinson’s, all diagnosed. He told me to use a walker if I’m having a particularly bad day. I got over my ego fast, you might say. Nowadays, I just tell people, “well,sometimes people have to use walking aids when they are older, in their 70’s, like I am”, and I leave it at that.
Parkinsons Madopar and blood glucose levels
Work and Stress
The Caterpillar and the butterfly
