After receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, your healthcare provider may talk to you about potential treatment options.
Parkinson’s disease is incurable, but treatments can be used to lessen the symptoms and maintain someone’s quality of life.
In the early stages of the disease, you may not need to receive treatment. However, it is important to know what treatments are available for you and your loved ones.
Supportive therapies
One of the most common treatments for Parkinson’s disease is supportive therapy. These therapies aim to make the disease easier to cope with daily.
There are three main types of therapy. Each one offers support with different aspects of Parkinson’s disease, meaning that some therapies may be more applicable to you or your loved ones than others.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist targets the physical aspects of Parkinson’s disease by working with patients to relieve muscle stiffness and joint pain.
This is typically done through movement, using exercises and stretching to improve mobility.
They also aim to improve your walking and flexibility, as well as improving fitness levels. This is all done in conjunction with patients so that you and your loved ones can continue these exercises at home.
Relieving the physical symptoms where possible can help you or your loved ones to maintain more independence and quality of life.
Speech and language therapy
Two common symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are difficulty with speech and difficulty swallowing, which is known as dysphagia.
Working with a speech and language therapist can help alleviate these symptoms with exercises and assistive technology.
Occupational therapy
This type of therapy looks at you or your loved one’s everyday life and routine. An occupational therapist will identify areas where you may need extra support to maintain a good quality of life, including needing help getting dressed or going to the shops.
They will work alongside you and your family to identify practical solutions, including making accommodations to your home that make it safe and accessible.
Occupational therapists work on you or your loved one maintaining independence as long as possible.
Getting the right support
These therapies can be a great support in maintaining independence. However, having the right care in place can build on these foundations.
We work alongside healthcare providers to create a bespoke care plan to support your unique needs and symptoms.
We can help you or your loved one maintain a good quality of life.
If you would like to find out more about our complex care services, get in touch with our team today.