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Wisconsin Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association
600 Highland Avenue
P.O. Box 7513
Madison, WI 53707-7513
(608)263-7991 (for PD info)
chapter@wichapterapda.org
President
Vacant
Vice President
Bill Walkington
Vice President for Public Relations
Vacant
Treasurer
Vacant
Secretary
Pamela Crapp
secretary@wichapterapda.org
Board Members
Burt Avedon
Don Behnke
Michelle Ciucci
Information & Referral Center Coordinator at UW School
of Medicine and Public Health
Jessica Hahn
parkinsons@neurology.wisc.edu
Medical Advisor
Erwin B. Montgomery, Jr., M.D.
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About Parkinson's Disease
What is Parkinson's Disease?
Parkinson's
disease belongs
to a group of conditions called Motor System Disorders.
The disease is both chronic, meaning it persists over a long period of
time, and progressive,
meaning its symptoms grow worse over time. Symptoms
include slowness of movement, loss
of balance and coordination, tremor, rigidity
or stiffness, and uncontrolled movements. As these
symptoms become more
pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing
daily
tasks.
Over 1.5 million people in the U.S. have Parkinson's, of which over
26,000 are in Wisconsin.
Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's each year.
Parkinson's affects
all ages, even some children. Most people with
Parkinson's are over 60, but an
estimated
20 percent are young adults under 50.
Every day, researchers are learning new facts about how the brain
works. New drugs are
being tested and new surgeries performed. Parkinson's
research is so promising that scientists are
optimistic about finding a cure in
the near future.
Helpful Hints to Ease Daily Life
for Those With Parkinson's
BATHROOM AND GROOMING
Safety
in the bathroom is a particular concern because of the potential
hazards from impaired balance, difficulty in walking,
tremors, slowed reactions, or an inability to call loudly for help.
Tips
Most
bathrooms are small and have surfaces that are slippery when wet.
Some preventative measures include:
-
Use a
tub bench or shower chair to bathe safely.
-
Place
a non-slip mat or adhesive anti-slip surface at the bottom of the tub or
shower.
-
Install
grab bars instead of using weak bathroom fixtures
for support.
-
Remove or cover as many slippery bathroom surfaces as possible.
-
“Soap
on a Rope” keeps soap safely and conveniently within reach while showering
or taking a bath.
-
Attach
suction cups to a nail brush and soap dish and
affixe securely to the inside of the tub, shower, or sink for easy access.
-
Use a
terry-cloth wash mitt instead of a washcloth.
-
Use an electric razor
for safety, especially by those who
suffer
from tremors. A variety of electric razor holders are on the market,
some of which can make grasping the razor easier.
-
Install
a night light in the bathroom.
DRESSING
The fine-hand coordination and strength needed for buttoning and zipping clothing
fasteners are sometimes impaired in Parkinson’s patients. Nevertheless, most
patients feel more comfortable dressing themselves, even though it may take them
longer to do so. Clothing fasteners can be modified in a variety of ways to
compensate for loss of fine-motor skills
Tips
-
Lower
clothes rods in closets, so you don’t have to reach too high for items.
-
Choose
clothing that closes in the front, with easy and uncomplicated fastenings.
-
Velcro
closures make an excellent substitute for buttons and zippers. You
can purchase Velcro in strips
or dots at most fabric or variety stores. Remove
the buttons and sew dots in place under the button hole and over the button area.
Then sew the button on top of the button hole.
Remove zippers and replace with Velcro.
-
Use a
button hook or Button Aid. The handles of these tools are more easily grasped
than a small button when fine-hand coordination is impaired.
-
Large, easily grasped zipper
pulls make opening or closing trouser flies,
jackets, and coats less difficult.
-
Secure
shirt cuffs with firm elastic bands to eliminate buttoning; the
result is unnoticeable. (Be sure bands aren't so tight they restrict
circulation.)
-
A “dressing
stick” is useful for pulling trousers and underclothing over feet and legs. It
allows one to remain seated while dressing and reduces risk of falling.
-
Elastic
shoe laces need to be tied only once and easily convert shoes to slip-ons. Or, have
a shoemaker
stitch Velcro strips onto standard tie shoes.
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Wisconsin
Chapter