In this debut episode of Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson's, Dr. Michael S. Okun talks about early warning signs of Parkinson's and offers practical advice on how to proceed after a diagnosis.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) impacts people in different ways. Not everyone will experience all the symptoms of Parkinson’s, and if they do, they won’t necessarily experience them in quite the same order or at the same intensity. There are typical patterns of progression in Parkinson’s disease that are defined in stages. Joseph Jankovic, MD discusses those patterns in terms of the forms and stags of Parkinson's disease.

Medical professionals have a lot to offer people in the early and middle stages of Parkinson’s disease. People with PD can visit their teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health professionals on a regular basis in an office or clinic setting. A problem can arise, however, when determining how to best help people in the more advanced stages of the disease, when they develop more symptoms of greater severity and have limited mobility. Dr. Jori Fleisher of the Rush University Medical Center Movement Disorders Program in Chicago, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, helped develop a home visit program to address this issue when she was at New York University Medical Center. The Edmond J. Safra Interdisciplinary Home Visit Program brings a multidisciplinary team of health professionals to the homes of people with PD when they need care the most.

Released: May 22, 2018

Regular visits to the dentist are important for all of us. For a person with Parkinson’s disease (PD), dental care is particularly critical as PD can impact the health of the mouth, teeth and jaw and make dental care challenging. Poor dental hygiene can affect nutrition and increase risk for stroke, cognitive impairment and weight loss. People of all ages with PD face similar challenges, but for those who are older, the problems can be especially serious. Read below and follow the tips to enjoy eating foods you prefer for as long as possible, rather than limiting yourself to what your teeth will tolerate.

Barriers to Dental Health in PD

Physical Barriers:
Because of the physical effects of Parkinson’s, such as rigidity and tremor, nearly half of all people with PD have difficulty with their daily oral hygiene regimen. These symptoms also make going to the dentist more difficult and uncomfortable. Weakened swallowing ability can increase the risk of aspiration (choking) during treatment. Additionally, people with PD who have been on medications like levodopa for several years may begin to develop dyskinesias (involuntary movements), which can affect the jaw (oro-buccal dyskinesias) and cause cracked teeth and teeth grinding. This may create problems during dental exams and at home.

Difficulty swallowing saliva can lead to a fungal infection at the corners of the mouth, which is easily treated. On the other hand, people with PD may experience dry mouth, which can increase the risk of cavities and add to chewing difficulties or denture discomfort. In fact, people with Parkinson’s are less likely than others in their age group to clean their dentures daily

Behavioral Barriers

Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as apathy, depression, and forgetfulness, may lead a person with PD to pay less attention to his or her daily dental health. Other behavior changes can affect nutrition. People with PD require greater caloric intake than those without PD, but some people experience decreased appetite. Combined with poor dental hygiene, this often leads to a tendency to avoid nutrient-rich foods, like vegetables, that require the ability to chew well. Some people may also develop a “sweet tooth,” which may put them at greater risk for cavities.

People who experience cognitive changes also may be more likely to miss dental appointments and less likely to report dental pain to their care partners or dentist, leaving issues unaddressed for too long.

Strategies for Improving Dental Care

It is easier to prevent a problem than to fix one.

Maintaining Dental Care at Home

Try using a toothbrush with a large-handled grip and soft bristles. A small brush head reaches the corners better. To make the toothbrush easier to grasp, place the handle inside a bike handlebar grip or tennis ball. Another option is to use an electric toothbrush. It will provide the fine, repetitive motions that protect teeth most effectively.

Aim to brush after every meal for two minutes, and also brush the tongue. It’s best to brush one-handed, using the stronger side of the body. To be thorough, be organized and consistent with your brushing pattern. Start on one surface, going from right to left, or vice versa, before moving to the next. And don’t rush! If it’s not possible to brush after a meal, simply rinsing the mouth with water will help. Flossing is important, but may mean getting help from a care partner.

Mouthwashes are discouraged for people with PD because of the risk of choking, but in cases where they are still an option, look for one that is non-alcohol based and that uses either chlorhexidine (an antiseptic) or baking soda. If swishing and spitting are difficult, the dentist may recommend a brush or sponge applicator. A fluoridated toothpaste or rinse can also be used. Fluoride helps increase the resistance of teeth to the harmful effects of bacteria. Prescription-strength, topical stannous fluoride gel treatments can also be a good preventive strategy, as directed by your dentist.

If you have dentures, remove them after each meal, then brush and rinse them. At night, brush or clean them in a solution. If it becomes hard to hold the dentures to brush them, a useful trick is to attach a nailbrush to a household surface with a suction cup and move the denture back and forth across the brush.

Improving Dental Visits

TIPS: Maintaining and Improving Dental Health

• Use an electric toothbrush.
• Try one-handed strategies that allow you to use the stronger side of your body.
• Try non-alcohol based mouthwashes using chlorhexidine or baking soda.
• Schedule dental appointments in the morning, about 60-90 minutes after a levodopa dose.
• Ask to keep the dental chair more upright, to make swallowing easier.
• Plan several, shorter dentist visits, rather than fewer, longer ones.
• Get check-ups/cleanings every 3–6 months.
• If you wear dentures, the dentist should screen for oral cancer and evaluate the fit of the dentures as part of the routine visit.

There are several ways to improve visits to the dentist, beginning with strategic timing. Schedule early morning visits, when waiting times tend to be shorter. Take levodopa 60 to 90 minutes before the office visit to have your best “on” time. This should make the dental examination easier and more comfortable for both you and the hygienist or dentist.

It is helpful to tell the office about Parkinson’s and your symptoms when you schedule the appointment(s). It is difficult and dangerous for dentists using drills and other sharp instruments to complete procedures on a moving target that can be caused by uncontrolled tremors. It is also a challenge for the dentist when individuals have difficulty sitting in a dental chair or keeping their mouths open for long periods, or when impaired swallowing risks choking or aspiration. Your dentist will value your direction about the timing, length and other aspects of your appointments. No one knows you better than you do.

The office should have someone on staff that can record vital signs upon arrival. Make sure to tell the dentist if you are taking an MAO-B inhibitor (rasagiline or selegiline), as these may interact with anesthetics.

As PD progresses, the amount of time during which a person responds optimally to PD medications will become less and less. For this reason, it may be helpful to plan a series of brief office visits rather than one longer visit. Also consider scheduling the replacement of old fillings, crowns and bridges, and ill-fitting dentures during the early stages of PD. In particular, if invasive procedures such as tooth restoration are needed, they should be done as early as possible in the progression of PD, to minimize risk. If general anesthesia is required, know that the recovery period for a person with Parkinson’s may be prolonged. And if you are not sure if the risks outweigh the benefits for a certain intervention, your neurologist may be able to help.

Adult children of a parent with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often want to help their parent but do not know how to begin. If they get involved early, they can detect changes that need to be addressed later on. A good first step is learning about the disease, its symptoms, treatment, and course. From there, they may want to become an active part of the support team that each person with PD should have from the time of diagnosis. Adult children can help schedule doctor’s appointments; attend them with their parent, navigate insurance and other financial concerns, and keep their parent moving and socially involved by engaging in sports and activities with them. This all depends on the parent’s willingness to have their children help out with some aspects of their lives. 

In this episode, Social Worker Kelly Arney, MSSW, outreach coordinator for the Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, has several good pieces of advice for different situations, including communicating with the parent about how much help they will accept without giving up their autonomy.

Released: December 27, 2022

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a life-changing experience not only for the person with PD, but also for the spouse, child, other family member or friend who becomes the person’s primary care partner. Care partners take on many different responsibilities — from accompanying a loved one on doctors visits and grocery shopping to more demanding ones like providing physical care. At the same time, you may be working, raising children, caring for grandchildren or coping with your own health or personal issues.

Because PD progresses slowly, the care partner’s role can last for decades. This journey can bring rewards, but it can also bring difficult times. It is important for every care partner to remember that taking care of oneself is not the same as being selfish. By renewing your own energy and staying healthy, you can better support your loved one who lives with PD.

Health of the Care Partner

As a care partner, you are likely focused on your loved one. Yet research shows that care partners in general, not just those who care for loved ones with PD, face risks to their own physical and emotional health. This elevated risk can show up in a higher-than-average incidence of heart disease, high blood pressure and visits to the emergency room. Care partners have been shown to experience decreased immunity and sleep deprivation. Lack of sleep can lead to irritability and frustration. In addition, care partners experience higher-than-average rates of depression, anxiety and grief.

Practicing the Art of Self-Compassion

With all that care partners do for their loved ones, it is still easy to be self critical and feel guilty for not doing more. Try to treat yourself with the same kindness you would extend to a friend who had a problem. Self-compassion is not an act of self-pity or self-indulgence. It will prevent burnout and will allow you to move forward with the things you need to do every day. Accept your own humanity. Give yourself a pat on the back for doing the best you can.

A Toolbox for Self-Care

Here are some tools for practicing self-compassion to help you maintain your physical and emotional health.

Identify Stress Triggers. A first step in self-care is identifying and acknowledging what causes your stress. Irritability, for example, may be triggered by certain situations, like having three things to do at once or having trouble getting your loved one out the door on time.

Acknowledge your right to feel emotionally off-balance. Recognize the hidden grief component of your anger, anxiety, guilt and depression. Expect adaptation to, but not resolution of, your grief. Accept it and seek out someone who understands it.

Determine your limits. What is your comfort level providing care? Some people determine they can provide care at home as long as others in the family can manage the disruptions. Everyone has limits. What are yours?

Build in regular breaks from caregiving and make them a priority. You cannot be a good caregiver to someone else if you do not take care of yourself.

Delegate. You may feel that you don't want to burden others, but in fact most people are willing to help if asked — they just need direction. Families, friends and caregiver support groups provide a network of people who can help.

Often, in the rush of errands and medication schedules, quality time gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. Try prioritizing your list of caring responsibilities. Take on the most important ones yourself and try to find someone else — paid or unpaid — to help out with the less important ones.

Focus on the Positive. This may sound unrealistic in the midst of a difficult situation. However, we all harbor some degree of optimism and there are proven techniques for nurturing it.

Seek out joy in your relationship with the person with Parkinson’s. Your hands-on duties, such as bathing and dressing your loved one, might feel like work, but these tasks bring you together. Add some fun to your hands-on care: sing songs, tell jokes, share goals and dreams.

Develop a habit of participating in activities together outside of care tasks. Shared time as husband-wife, mother-daughter, siblings or other relationship — rather than as caregiver and care recipient — allows you to enjoy each other and build happy memories.

Treat Yourself With Care

Treating yourself with care is not a luxury, but a necessity. It helps us rediscover the purpose and meaning in our lives. Doing the things that bring us pleasure — whether they are small rituals like enjoying a morning cup of coffee, following an exercise routine, practicing meditation or simply spending time with positive friends — replenishes reserves of love, improves our health and adds depth to our experience of caring for a loved one.

For more information, read or order Caring and Coping, a comprehensive guide for caregivers of people with Parkinson’s at any stage at Parkinson.org/Books or by calling the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).

You can also watch Parkinson’s Foundation Caregiver Summit educational sessions at Parkinson.org/Library.

Printing made possible with a sponsorship from Kyowa Kirin.

There is a great shortage of brain tissue for the study of many neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). Donations give researchers an opportunity to better understand these neurodegenerative disorders and provide insights on improving treatments and medications.

When is the right time to volunteer to donate?
Deciding to be a brain donor can be difficult. It often helps to seek guidance from loved ones. Talk with your family about your intent to donate, make a living will and tell your doctor your wishes. It is important to enroll with an organization in advance. Some brain banks will not accept a donation unless they already know the person’s wishes and have medical records, and this can take time. Forms will need to be filled out by you or the attending physician.

What is the process after end of life?
A family member or primary care physician will need to call the chosen organization’s 24-hour telephone number to notify them of the passing. This must take place immediately. Some organizations require brain donations to take place within 12 hours of time of death, while some allow donations within 24 hours. Make sure you know the policy of your chosen organization in advance to avoid any delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does donating brain tissue delay funeral arrangements?
Brain donation will not delay funeral arrangements and an open casket viewing is still possible.

Do I have to pay to donate?
Most organizations assume financial responsibility for transporting the brain tissue to a pathologist. Funeral expenses still need to be covered by the family.

Can anyone donate?
There are two reasons a brain may not be accepted: if the person passed away from a certain infectious disease or if the person was on a respirator prior to death.

As an organ donor, isn’t my brain included?
Brain donation is not included if you are an organ donor. You need to sign up for brain donation separately.

Can I change my mind?
Brain donation is a personal choice. You may opt out at any time by notifying the organization you signed up with.

Which organizations accept brain tissue?
Call the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) for a list of organizations that accept brain tissue. The National Institutes of Health NeuroBioBank (www.neurobiobank.nih.gov) collaborates with six brain banks who collect tissue and then allow scientists to request samples to support their research. Donate to the NeuroBioBank by signing up with the Brain Donor Project: www.braindonorproject.org.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a multi-factorial condition, with the potential to affect all aspects of people’s lives. Besides the well-known motor and non-motor symptoms, it also can lead to dementia, characterized by impairment of such mental functions as cognition, memory, and judgment, leading to forgetfulness, limited social skills, and difficulties in daily functioning. The decline in mental abilities can range from mild cognitive impairment that does not affect work or daily functioning to dementia, with much in-between the two. Dementia in PD mainly affects a person’s ability to pay attention or concentrate, to multitask and solve problems (executive function), and their visuospatial skills, meaning their ability to see information in three dimensions. It may have less effect on memory than some other forms of dementia.

Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) falls under the umbrella term of Lewy body dementia, along with another condition being dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). In both diseases, Lewy bodies, clumps of alpha-synuclein and other proteins, accumulate in nerve cells in the brain, causing them to lose function.

Because of their similarities, PDD and DLB are distinguished mainly based on when movement symptoms and dementia arise. People with PD early on experience movement symptoms, and years to decades later may develop PDD. With DLB, movement symptoms and dementia start together or within a year of each other. Dr. Jennifer Goldman is the section chief of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders at the Shirley Ryan Abilitylab and professor of physical medicine, rehabilitation, and neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence. In this podcast, she describes the similarities and differences between PDD and DLB, talks about medications and cautions, and offers people with PD important suggestions for coordinating medical care and when accessing care.

Released: August 11, 2020

When you are first diagnosed with Parkinson’s, it can be overwhelming. Take time to understand how the disease can impact you physically and how it can impact your mood and emotions.

These 5 steps — in any order that works for you — will help get you started on your journey to living well with Parkinson’s.

1. Think about what is most important to you

Based on what’s important to you, determine your personal goals and priorities. This will help you create an action plan to continue doing the things you love and care about most.

“The mind is not separate from the body. It directly affects the quality of life for people with PD and their care partners."

– Gretchen, person with Parkinson’s diagnosed 2017

2. Find someone you can talk to

When you’re ready, we encourage you to talk to someone, whether that is calling our Helpline, 1.800.4PD. INFO (473.4636) to ask questions, or reaching out to a family member or friend, or another person with Parkinson’s. Don’t isolate yourself, you are not alone.

We now have a whole network of people who understand. It may be hard at first, but connect with other people who are living with PD. You’ll be glad you did. “

– Karen, care partner, husband diagnosed 2002

3. Create healthy habits

Choosing healthy foods may help your medications work better and improve your energy. Getting enough sleep can help your body and brain recharge. Small changes can make a big difference and creating a healthy routine may help you feel better. Learn from others through our online community, Parkinson.org/NewlyDiagnosed.

4. Be active in whatever way works best for you

It’s a fact: exercise can improve your quality of life. Visit our website, Parkinson.org/NewlyDiagnosed, to learn about the importance of exercise and find a Moving Day event near you. Get up, get out there, get active.

"Take a walk. Climb those stairs. Keep moving. Find activity everywhere you go. “

– Dave, person with Parkinson’s diagnosed 2004

5. Find a doctor who is an expert in Parkinson’s disease

Call our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) to find expert care in your area. Look for a neurologist who treats people with Parkinson’s, and when possible, a movement disorder specialist.

“Go to the best specialist you can find. Talk with others for recommendations. Don’t settle.”

– Andreé, person with Parkinson’s diagnosed 2007

You are not alone. You have control in how you handle and manage Parkinson’s. The Parkinson’s Foundation is here for you, every step of the way.

Staffed by Parkinson’s disease information specialists speaking both English and Spanish, the Helpline is free and here to support you — and your loved ones — in any way possible, including:

• Current information about Parkinson’s
• Referrals to healthcare professionals
• A wide variety of free publications
• Emotional support
• Community resources

La enfermedad de Parkinson es conocida principalmente como un trastorno que afecta el movimiento. Sin embargo, para algunas personas con Parkinson (PWP, por sus siglas en inglés), existen otros síntomas discapacitadores de la enfermedad. Sobrellevar la demencia, incluidas las dificultades con la memoria y la lentitud en el pensamiento o la comunicación, es un reto tanto para las personas con Parkinson como para los cuidadores. Reconocer los signos y diseñar las estrategias para sobrellevarla podrían incrementar el nivel de funcionalidad de las estas personas así como su autoestima.

Así pues, aunque el tema de este artículo ciertamente no atañerá a todos nuestros lectores, esperamos que pueda ser de utilidad para quienes se vean enfrentados ahora o en el futuro con estos síntomas, así como para aquellos que se dedican a su cuidado.

En principio, es importante entender que los lapsos de memoria, la confusión y la lentitud en la comunicación, pueden deberse a una variedad de problemas tales como el estrés, los medicamentos o la depresión. Por consiguiente, los pacientes que experimentan tales problemas deben tratar de analizarlos con sus médicos antes de precipitarse a conclusiones acerca de sus dificultades para pensar.

Al hablar de la demencia, se suele pensar en la enfermedad de Alzheimer, en la cual las personas experimentan problemas con la memoria, pero también pueden tener trastornos como dificultades del habla o problemas para planificar y llevar a cabo las labores diarias. De hecho, la demencia en las personas con Parkinson puede deberse a una enfermedad de Alzheimer coexistente. Sin embargo, la demencia en el Parkinson puede adquirir una forma un poco diferente y suele presentarse como un conjunto de retos completamente distintos.

Además de volverse olvidadizas, las personas pueden ver que sus procesos de pensamiento son más lentos y pueden tardar bastante tiempo en responder a una pregunta. Puede haber dificultad para concentrarse y una particular falta de impulso o iniciativa, lo que hace que los cuidadores se quejen de la pasividad en las personas con Parkinson. El procesamiento visuoespacial también puede disminuirse, lo que podría llevar a dificultades con las labores diarias desde conducir, vestirse o aun insertarse un audífono en la oreja.

Una parte importante de cualquier conversación con el médico es, en primer lugar, evaluar cómo los medicamentos pueden contribuir a sus síntomas y tomar las medidas necesarias para simplificar el régimen de tratamiento, eliminando aquellos medicamentos que pudieran empeorar las dificultades para pensar, tales como los anticolinérgicos o los sedantes. Más aun, las personas con Parkinson con demencia pueden ser particularmente propensas a la confusión y las alucinaciones como efecto secundario de los medicamentos utilizados para tratar la enfermedad.

En segundo lugar, es importante distinguir la demencia de la depresión. La depresión a veces puede llevar a la lentitud en las respuestas y problemas para concentrarse, o la tendencia a ser olvidadizo, pero si se reconoce a tiempo, responde al tratamiento.

En tercer lugar, actualmente hay una variedad de opciones de tratamiento que pueden mejorar la memoria y en general las habilidades cognitivas, las cuales pueden ser analizadas con el médico.

Es importante mencionar que hay una serie de cambios que pueden hacerse para ayudar a las personas con Parkinson a sobrellevar tales dificultades. Mantener una vida simple es la mejor manera de asegurar que la persona pueda continuar participando en las actividades normales tan plenamente como sea factible, y mantener cierto grado de independencia el mayor tiempo posible.

Por ejemplo, para ayudar a superar la lentitud de pensamiento, en vez de comunicarse con la rapidez “normal”, hay que tratar de establecer contacto visual y disminuir la rapidez con la que habla, para cerciorarse de que la persona con Parkinson sea capaz de procesar todo lo que usted dice. Deje un buen tiempo para la respuesta y evite interrumpir o terminarle las frases. Trate de no hacer preguntas abiertas como “¿qué te gustaría tomar en el desayuno?”. Más bien, ofrezca ejemplos y elecciones con preguntas cerradas como “¿quieres café?”. Las respuestas de “sí” o “no” son fáciles de comunicar, ya sea verbalmente o asintiendo con la cabeza. Un entorno hogareño simplificado puede reducir el riesgo de confusión. Retirar el desorden acumulado y los muebles innecesarios o los utensilios y aparatos de cocina de poco uso es una manera de hacer esto. Otra es quitando los artículos que usted no quiere que la persona con Parkinson use.

Esto incluye las licuadoras, los procesadores de alimentos y los cuchillos afilados en la cocina, las escaleras y escalerillas, y las herramientas en el garaje o el sótano. Los medicamentos pueden ser guardados bajo llave si están en riesgo de que la persona con Parkinson se confunda con las dosis.

Todos sabemos la importancia de mantener un régimen regular de ejercicio. Igualmente, los ejercicios y las actividades mentales son importantes para mantener la agilidad del pensamiento. Los ejercicios pueden incluir hacer crucigramas o rompecabezas, los juegos de naipes, leer o escuchar música, mantener un diario (el cual puede también ayudar a la memoria al ser repasado) y continuar con los pasatiempos favoritos.

La actividad física también puede incorporarse, por ejemplo, los ejercicios al ritmo de la música o el baile. De nuevo, es importante tener en cuenta que estas tareas pueden tomar mucho más tiempo llevarse a cabo y aquí, paciencia, es la palabra clave.

Para los pacientes que pueden tener dificultades recordando la secuencia de los pasos a seguir para llevar a cabo una tarea en particular, es conveniente hacer un listado en letras grandes o demostrar cada paso de tal manera que la persona con Parkinson pueda imitarlos y seguirlos. Una lista de “cosas por hacer” podría ser muy útil. Por ejemplo, por la mañana pegar en el baño una lista, la cual, dependiendo de las habilidades y limitaciones del paciente, puede incluir:

RUTINA MAÑANERA

• Cepillarse el cabello
• Cepillarse los dientes
• Usar el inodoro
• Lavarse las manos
• Apagar la luz al salir

Cada uno de los pasos de la lista debe ser tan simple y claro como sea necesario. Recuerde que estas listas pueden tener que ser más detalladas con el paso del tiempo. Realizar las actividades de la vida diaria en el mismo orden cada día proporciona estructura y minimiza la confusión.

Colocar un calendario grande en un lugar común (como la cocina o al lado de la cama), marcando las citas o los eventos de cada día, es otra manera de ayudar a las personas con Parkinson a ser más independientes. Éste podría revisarse diariamente junto con un listado de tareas para el día.

Otro aspecto importante a tener en cuenta es el acto de vestirse. El mensaje aquí es mantenerlo tan simple como sea posible. Haga que la persona con Parkinson use prendas fáciles de poner y quitar, con cremalleras o solo unos pocos botones por delante o cierres de Velcro. Distribuya o haga una pila con las prendas en el orden en que deben ponerse, con la ropa interior y las medias en primer lugar. Si el paciente insiste en ponerse lo mismo día tras día, compre varias prendas idénticas de manera que pueda proveerle prendas limpias sin tener que lavarlas todas las noches.

Ponga anuncios en las puertas utilizando imágenes o palabras clave. Por ejemplo, cuando escriba la palabra “baño” ponga la foto de un inodoro en la puerta, o la foto de una cama, junto con la palabra “alcoba” en la puerta de la alcoba.

Si presenta confusión mental y alucinaciones, una habitación oscura podría despertar todo tipo de imágenes aterradoras. En consecuencia, usted debería considerar instalar luces nocturnas que se enciendan automáticamente cuando haya cierto grado de oscuridad. De esta forma, la persona con Parkinson nunca tendrá que entrar a un cuarto completamente oscuro.

Usted puede eliminar una gran cantidad de frustración de la vida cotidiana del paciente con dificultades para procesar el pensamiento, manteniendo las tareas y las preguntas simples, y previniendo aquellas situaciones con las que una persona confusa pudiera tener problemas. Igualmente importante es que esto le permite a la persona con Parkinson continuar funcionando y manejando partes de su propia vida, lo que puede aliviar las responsabilidades del cuidador a la vez que le da a la persona con Parkinson una sensación de logro e involucramiento en el hogar y en los asuntos cotidianos.

Es importante reiterar que no todos las personas con Parkinson tienen problemas de memoria, lentitud para pensar y confusión ya que la demencia no viene automáticamente con la enfermedad. Pero estos problemas sí pueden coexistir con el Parkinson y creemos que la mejor estrategia es estar preparados.

10 consejos para manejar la lentitud en la comunicación y el pensamiento

• Concientemente disminuya la velocidad con la que habla para cerciorarse de que la persona con Parkinson sea capaz de procesar todo lo que usted dice y permita suficiente tiempo para que responda.
• Evite sobrecargar el procesamiento de la memoria haciendo preguntas cerradas, que inviten a una respuesta de “sí” o “no”.
• Organice las actividades diarias para mantener una mente activa, tales como escuchar música o leer.
• Utilice una lista de “cosas por hacer” para las tareas diarias de tal manera que el paciente pueda llevar a cabo cada tarea en un orden especifico.
• Coloque un calendario grande en un sitio común con las citas y eventos anotados para cada día.
• Suministre prendas que sean fáciles de quitar y poner o que tengan cierres de Velcro, disponiéndolas en el orden en que se las debe poner.
• Haga anuncios utilizando fotos u objetos más bien que palabras, y colóquelos en las puertas de las habitaciones correspondientes.
• Los suministros médicos pueden ser guardados bajo llave si existe el peligro de confusión.
• Tenga un brazalete o cadena con una identificación médica que contenga el nombre del paciente, el número telefónico y el diagnóstico.
• Utilice luces nocturnas si la persona con Parkinson tiene confusión y alucinaciones para cerciorarse de que no tenga que entrar a una habitación oscura.

Gracias a la Alzheimer’s Association por algunas de las sugerencias mencionadas anteriormente. Para preguntas sobre Alzheimer’s, puede contactar a la Alzheimer’s Assocation llamando (800) 272-3900.

Llame a nuestra línea de ayuda, 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636), para aprender más.