* encourage independence - give a resident with Parkinson’s
time to do things without being rushed ... allow frequent
rest periods … an occupational therapist can provide
practical tips to make tasks easier, e.g. eating and
mobility aids ... medication given early enough before a
task may make it easier to bathe, shave and dress a resident
with Parkinson’s - this increases a resident’s independence
and reduces your workload
* look for signs of mental changes - this could include memory
loss, slowed thought processes or mild dementia (not the
significant dementia you might see in other residents)
* provide a sympathetic ear - Parkinson’s can mean the loss of
control in a person’s body and life … how a person living
with Parkinson’s feels emotionally is directly linked to the
disease and how it is affecting him/her at the moment …
listening and caring can make an amazing difference
* work with the resident on ways to cope with emotional
hurdles, relieve stress, provide physical assistance and
meet special needs
* learn more about Parkinson’s
"Often I feel trapped in my
own body. It’s hard to have a
regular conversation because
the volume of my voice has
been affected. I can’t do
things because my tremor makes
my hands clumsy. I want to
socialize more and feel like a
normal human being."
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Information is power!
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The more information you have, the better equipped you will be to
cope with day-to-day obstacles of caring for people with
Parkinson’s. They will have ‘good’ and ‘bad’ days. That’s normal.
Listen, be patient and understanding.
Some important things to remember:
* Medication management is the most important part of
controlling Parkinson’s symptoms. To achieve the best
results, it needs to be given according to the schedule set
by the treating physician. This is based on what has worked
well for the person with Parkinson’s over a period of years.
* Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, so a resident’s needs
will change over time.
* Coping with Parkinson’s involves a variety of unique
challenges. You can obtain help and advice for your
Parkinson’s residents by referring them to other members of
your health care team, e.g. social worker, pastoral care,
physiotherapist, speech language pathologist, occupational
therapist, dietician.
"My symptoms make my life very
frustrating. There are many
things I can and want to do.
But, at any given moment, my
medication stops working and I
can’t do anything. Sometimes I
become extremely tired. Please
be patient and give me a
little more time. When you
tell me to hurry, the stress
makes my symptoms even worse.
I am not trying to be
uncooperative."
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Contact information and assistance
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Parkinson Society Canada is the national voice of Canadians
living with Parkinson’s. Our purpose is to ease the burden and
find a cure through research, education, advocacy and support
services.
Parkinson Society Canada’s National Information & Referral Centre
at 1-800-565-3000 can respond to any enquiries you or other staff
members have about problems experienced by your residents living
with Parkinson’s.
Ask for printed information on topics such as medication and
potential side effects, constipation, sleep problems, speech and
communication difficulties and mobility issues. You can also
visit the Society’s website at www.parkinson.ca to download the
information you require.
Parkinson Society Canada
National Office
4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316
Toronto, ON M2P 2A9
WebSite: www.parkinson.ca
Toll Free: (800) 565-3000
Tel: (416) 227-9700
Fax: (416) 227-9600
For additional community resources or an experienced speaker to
talk to you and the staff of your long-term care facility about
the unique challenges of caring for residents living with
Parkinson’s, contact one of Parkinson Society Canada’s Regional
Partners:
Parkinson Society British Victoria Epilepsy and
Columbia Parkinson’s Centre Society
890 West Pender Street, Suite 600 813 Darwin Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6C 1J9 Victoria, BC V8X 2X7
WebSite: www.parkinson.bc.ca WebSite: www.vepc.bc.ca
Toll Free (BC only): (800) Tel: (250) 475-6677
668-3330 Fax: (250) 475-6619
Tel: (604) 662-3240
Fax: (604) 687-1327
The Parkinson’s Society of The Parkinson’s Society of
Alberta Southern Alberta
11111 Jasper Avenue, Room 3Y18 480D 36th Avenue SE
Edmonton, AB T5K 0L4 Calgary, AB T2G 1W4
Toll Free: (888) 873-9801 WebSite:
Tel: (780) 482-8993 www.parkinsons-society.org
Fax: (780) 482-8969 Toll Free (Alberta): (800)
561-1911
Tel: (403) 243-9901
Fax: (403) 243-8283
Saskatchewan Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson Society Manitoba
Foundation 825 Sherbrooke Street,
Box 102, 103 Hospital Drive Suite 204
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W8 Winnipeg, MB R3A 1M5
Tel: (306) 966-8160 Toll Free: (866) 999-5558
Fax: (306) 966-8030 Tel: (204) 786-2637
Fax: (204) 786-0860
PSC Central & Northern Ontario PSC Southwestern Ontario
Region Region
4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316 4500 Blakie Road, Unit #117
Toronto, ON M2P 2A9 London, ON N6L 1G5
Toll Free (National): (800) WebSite:
565-3000 www3.sympatico.ca/pf.swo
Tel: (416) 227-9700 Toll Free (Ontario): (888)
Fax: (416) 227-9600 851-7376
Tel: (519) 652-9437
Fax: (519) 652-9267
Parkinson Society Ottawa Parkinson Society Quebec
1053 Carling Avenue 1253 McGill College, Suite
Ottawa, ON K1Y 4E9 402
WebSite: www.parkinsons.ca Montreal, QC H3B 2Y5
Tel: (613) 722-9238 WebSite:
Fax: (613) 722-3241 www.infoparkinson.org
Toll Free: (National
Francophone Line): (800)
720-1307
Tel: (514) 861-4422
Fax: (514) 861-4510
PSC Maritime Region Parkinson Society
5991 Spring Garden Road, Suite Newfoundland & Labrador
290 31 Peet Street, Suite 219
Halifax, NS B3H 1Y6 St. John’s, NL A1B 3W8
WebSite: Toll Free (Nfld /
www.parkinsonsocietymaritimes.ca Labrador): (800) 567-7020
Toll Free (NS, NB & PEI): (800) Tel: (709) 754-4428
663-2468 Fax: (709) 754-5868
Tel: (902) 422-3656
Fax: (902) 422-3797
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TIP SHEET
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Caring for Residents with Parkinson’s in Long-Term Care
Facilities
Please copy this Tip Sheet as needed and include it in the file
of every resident with Parkinson's Disease
NAME: ______________________________
ROOM #: ____________________________
Symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s include tremor, stiffness,
slowness and difficulty with fine movements, impaired balance,
soft speech, reduced facial expression, drooling, “freezing”
while moving, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Give a Parkinson's
resident time to do things without feeling rushed. Stress can
make their symptoms even worse. Remember, they are not trying to
be uncooperative. Parkinson's changes over time. What worked in
the past may need to be adjusted. Communicate with the resident
and his/her family.
MEDICATION
is the most effective treatment for Parkinson’s. Its dosage and
timing tend to be geared to each individual’s needs. It must be
given on time which may not coincide with medication rounds, and
should be accompanied by water. Controlled-released tablets
should not be broken, crushed or chewed (unless instructed by
treating physician).
Tips:
* find out from the resident or their family what the best
timing is for them
* medication timing is the most important way to minimize
symptoms
* find out if residents need medication with meals or on an
empty stomach
* for some, medication takes time to ‘kick in’ so dressing and
eating could be scheduled around this timing
BALANCE & POSTURE
Exercise (especially stretching) is essential therapy, especially
when residents are rested, but watch for “freezing”, a sudden
inability to move, especially when walking or getting out of a
chair.
Tips:
* if freezing occurs, do not push/move residents but do find
out best visual/auditory cue to initiate movement such as
placing foot or item on floor in front of residents, playing
music or counting with steady beat
* encourage residents to lift feet, heel first when walking,
to avoid prolonged standing and to use appropriate walking
aids (cane or walker)
* encourage residents to keep hands free when walking, to
pause before getting up, to place feet directly under knees
and stand up firmly, to wear proper walking shoes without
rubber or crepe soles and to avoid pivot turns
EATING
A failure to swallow properly can lead to choking which is a
symptom of swallowing problems.
Tips:
* Encourage residents to sit in an upright position and remind
them to swallow
* consult a dietician for easy-to-swallow foods such as
thickened drinks and a diet containing enough fluid and
fibre (to relieve constipation)
* ensure residents have iced drinks (with flexible straws) and
suggest they take sips between bites of food - recommend
spoons over forks
* encourage residents to have a rest period before meals
SOCIALIZATION & COMMUNICATION
A resident with Parkinson’s often feels isolated so watch for
signs. Depression (anxiety, anger, change in personal habits,
withdrawal) and mental changes (memory loss, slowed thought
processes, mild dementia) are also important to notice.
Tips:
* seek help from a recreation therapist, someone from pastoral
care or a visiting volunteer if problems persist
* find ways to include residents in leisure programs
* to help residents communicate, provide cold water/ice to
relax residents’ jaw and tongue muscles and ask questions
which require a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer, be patient and answers
will come
* to help with drooling, remind residents to swallow
* get practical communication tips from a speech therapist (if
available)
Other tips:
* give residents time to do things without being rushed and
allow frequent rest periods
* an occupational therapist can provide practical tips to make
tasks easier, e.g. eating and mobility aids
* medication given early enough may allow residents to be more
mobile and responsive during personal grooming
* work with residents on ways to cope with emotional hurdles,
relieve stress, provide physical assistance and meet special
needs
Parkinson Society Canada’s National Information & Referral Centre
can help you with questions about Parkinson’s. Call
1-800-565-3000 or visit our website at www.parkinson.ca
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janet paterson: an akinetic rigid subtype, albeit primarily perky, parky
pd: 56-41-37 cd: 56-44-43 tel: 613-256-8340 email: [log in to unmask]
my newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newvoicenews/
my website: http://www.geocities.com/janet313/
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