The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Occupational therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients

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Monday, Jul 14, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Occupational therapy for Parkinson’s disease patients

Staff Reporter

Ordinary activities such as candle blowing, chewing gum will help patients cope

Parkinson’s disease causes lot of fatigue in patients
Caretakers and family members play a vital role

Bangalore: Simple breathing techniques, general body movements in sitting position, candle blowing or even chewing gum can help people cope with Parkinson’s disease, occupational therapist Selva Kumar said here on Saturday.

Coping with problems

Addressing a gathering of affected persons at an open information meeting jointly organised here by the Parkinson’s Disease Society of Karnataka and Rotary Club of Bangalore, Dr. Kumar said that occupational therapy would teach the affected person and ftheir amily members new ways of coping with physical and psychological problems that affect everyday life.

“An occupational therapist will look into a person’s physical, social and emotional needs and try to assist with solutions to some of the difficulties experienced by the patients and their families. Simple activities that relate to dressing, bathing, eating and other routine daily chores would help in managing the degenerative disease,” he explained.

Activities

Giving a detailed presentation on the activities recommended for different problems, Dr. Kumar suggested the use of guarded and suction plates, big base/ angulated spoons, rocker bottom spoons and combs, double handled mugs, long-handed bath sponge, hand-held showers and flush, bath stool/raised toilet seat and similar items for the affected persons.

Fatigue

“The main aim is to conserve energy and reduce fatigue. Parkinson’s causes lot of fatigue and people will find it difficult to carry on with their routine activities. The best way is to adopt ways that will consume less energy and also help the person to carry out routine activities with ease to avoid social embarrassment,” he said.

Asserting that and family members play a vital role in helping the person cope with the problem, Dr. Kumar said slight modifications at home, especially in the kitchen and toilet would help a lot.

Society President Ameeta Patel said the society was holding a series of relevant lectures for Parkinson’s patients. Dr. Kumar’s talk was part of the series, she added.

The society can be contacted on 23332669/ 9845003116.

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