Staying engaged physically, mentally and socially when living with Parkinson disease can be difficult but is important for boosting a person’s well-being. Tieh Suat Kee, Occupational Therapist from Singapore General Hospital (SGH), explains.
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Leisure activities are essential people with Parkinson's for relaxation and pleasure. They can include physical activities such as
Tai Chi and swimming, as well as more gentle activities like sewing or speaking with a friend over the phone.
However, it is common for people with Parkinson Disease to gradually reduce their participation or withdraw from leisure activities as symptoms become increasingly apparent.
"People with Parkinson Disease can have difficulty with movement such as tremors, slowness and muscle stiffness, and they may require more time and effort to complete an activity," explains Tieh Suat Kee, Occupational Therapist from the
Department of Occupational Therapy at
Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the
SingHealth group.
"This may cause them to stop taking part in leisure and social activities which they once enjoyed because they get tired more easily, or because they feel they cannot keep up. This can result in their mental health being affected as they lose confidence in their own abilities and experience a loss of role and identity which was gained from their leisure activities," she adds.
It is important for people with Parkinson Disease to stay physically, mentally and socially active through leisure activities. While the movement difficulties and other symptoms such as fatigue and depression can indeed make it more challenging, it is helpful to adopt a positive attitude and not be discouraged by thinking that participation in leisure activities is an impossible task. There are strategies that can be put in place to enable individuals to continue to enjoy their leisure activities.
Benefits of leisure activities for people with Parkinson's
Besides the benefit of improving physical well-being and slowing the disease progression, leisure activities can create opportunities for social interactions so that people with Parkinson Disease are not socially isolated.
Leisure activities are also beneficial for an individual’s mental health by helping to reduce stress and allowing the person to feel relaxed. Focusing on participating in leisure activities that one enjoys can allow the person with Parkinson Disease to perhaps even forget about their symptoms for a while. It also enhances self-worth and confidence by allowing the person to experience a sense of achievement for participating in or completing a task.
Important considerations when picking leisure activities for people with Parkinson's
Plan ahead and schedule activities according to medication routine.
Plan for rest breaks between activities
Use energy conservation strategies
For example, break down an activity into smaller tasks to be done across the day. Sit down to do the activity.
Modify tools and try simple adaptations
For example, add a tubing or wrap a cloth around thin objects such as a paintbrush to make it easier to hold.
Stretch and warm up before engaging in physical activities.
Explore areas of interest and new hobbies
Use an interest checklist (like
this) as a guide.
Join a support group and participate in activities with other people with similar interests and experiences.
See page 1 for
how
speech therapy can help people with Parkinson's.
See page 2 for
how
music therapy can help people with Parkinson's.
See page 3 for
how exercise can help minimise Parkinson symptoms.
See the previous page for sample exercises to improve mobility, balance, flexibility and strength for people with Parkinson's.
Ref: L20
Check out other articles on Parkinson's disease:
Myths About Parkinson's
Parkinson's: Early Signs and Symptoms
What to Do When Parkinson's Strikes
Parkinson Treatment: How Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Works
