The stiffness and involuntary movements associated with Parkinson’s disease can make many common activities more difficult. However, therapy can be an invaluable tool for seniors with Parkinson’s. It can help them find ways to overcome difficulties and compensate for the changes they encounter. In addition to standard physical therapy sessions, your senior loved one with Parkinson’s might benefit from some of these therapeutic activities.
1. Arts and Crafts
Whether your loved one is naturally creative or hasn’t worked on crafts in years, getting involved in arts and crafts can be an excellent form of therapy. Regularly practicing the fine motor skills needed to do things such as knitting, painting, or putting together a model can build the muscle control needed to do daily tasks while managing tremors and other Parkinson’s symptoms. Doing arts and crafts can also be a great way for seniors to stay busy and explore their creative sides.
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s can be extremely challenging, and a compassionate professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Align Home Care, an in-home care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
2. Hydrotherapy
There are all sorts of hydrotherapy options, from swimming in the backyard pool to getting a massage in a special hydrotherapy tank. Hydrotherapy can enhance muscle flexibility so seniors have less difficulty with stiffness and soreness. Spending time in the water can be a fun activity for seniors, and going to a community pool offers the chance to socialize with others.
3. Dancing
The parts of the brain and body that control dancing are slightly different than those that control everyday movements, so many seniors find they can still dance even if walking is difficult. In fact, some therapists advise seniors to hum and walk to a beat to overcome stiffness and slowness. Dancing can be more than just physically therapeutic, though. Your loved one might enjoy participating in senior-friendly dance classes, which offer companionship and social interaction that can lift his or her mood.
Mobility issues in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease can make caring for aging adults increasingly challenging. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Portland, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to manage without professional expertise. At Align Home Care, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more.
4. Gardening
Gardening is a type of therapeutic activity that addresses several issues associated with Parkinson’s disease. Being able to grow and nurture living things can give seniors a sense of purpose that enhances their peace of mind. Gardening is also therapeutic because it exercises several parts of the body at once. Seniors can increase overall strength by carrying around items such as watering pails or bags of mulch, and they can enhance balance and coordination by bending over to weed and plant.
5. Creative Writing
Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease can elicit a variety of emotions that could overwhelm a senior’s sense of wellbeing and stability. Many seniors find it helpful to write about these emotions by journaling or writing fiction. Writing is a great way to keep the brain sharp while working through challenging emotions and practice fine motor skills. Those who can’t easily control a pen may find typing or using a motion-stabilized pen wors just as well.
Many seniors in the early stages of Parkinson’s are able to live on their own, but they may need a bit of help with the everyday tasks of life, such as exercising and preparing nutritious meals. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable elder care. Portland, ME, families trust Align Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age. Call us today at (207) 835-3490 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.