Be willing to make adjustments and prepare for the long-term.  Some things will change:  sense of smell, handwriting, dexterity at the keyboard, sleep schedule, gait and balance, etc.

Parkinson's will be a long-term companion.  An understanding of the condition, working with those things you can control and having a few friends and family members who are supportive, will make the trip better.  

• Find a neurologist who is a movement disorders specialist (MDS)

• Keep a photo or file of your meds and doctor’s info on your phone.  Add a contact number to your phone’s “lock screen”.

• Trade the stick shift for a vehicle with an automatic;  emergency braking and lane-departure warning systems. 

• Reduce risk -- eliminate trip hazards, retire the chainsaw, extension ladder, etc.  

• Try a firm mattress and satin sheets, on a low platform, to facilitate movement.

Take care of the basic health issues (cardiac, etc.) so they don't add a layer on top of the Parkinson’s.  It is those things that will get you, not Parkinson’s.

A slowed response and/or balance issues increase your chance of falling.  Balance relies on the brain processing and comparing signals from the vestibular, skeletal, and visual systems.  The mental effort required to complete activities may increase. The brain uses a lot of energy. Simple things like dressing or walking can be more tiring than they used to be. You may have to think about doing things that used to be an automatic response.  

You may have to “talk” to your arm or leg, to get it to do some things.

• “Mirroring” the actions of the more functional arm or leg may help

•  Music may help movements that are repetitive

•  Neuroplasticity – developing alternative brain “pathways” may facilitate activities (Dr. G and Neuroplasticity)  

Keep doing things, like yard work and shoveling snow, even if you are a bit slower at it.  Keep the weak side active. Turn the bottle cap, move the puzzle piece, do mechanical work, etc. with the weak hand, instead of defaulting to the strong hand.

If you are retired, set "goals" for each week:

• Specific computer activities -- I'm experimenting with Google Drive and the related Google tools--constructing this web site with "Google Sites" and using .kmz files with Google "My Maps", for example.

• Hobbies/activities -- pick something you like to do:

  • Home improvements -- minor remodeling, painting, PD related modifications

  • Outdoors --  fishing, gardening, cycling, etc.

  • Creative activities -- sketching, music, etc. 

Acceptance isn't giving up -- it is stabilizing the present so you can move ahead.  

• Discuss your medications, diet, activity level, etc. with your Doc  (stabilize your condition)

• Talk to your family and friends about Parkinson's (stabilize your setting)

Moving ahead:  (My approach, relative to Parkinson's.)

• Try to figure out what has happened and document it for future reference, essentially a family tree medical history.

• What are the options (as precision medicine) for the next generation?

• Do things -- family, hobbies, travel, etc. -- you like to do.

Have a positive attitude,. Link: You Still Control Your Life.

Addressing the Details Link