How can occupational therapy help me if I have Parkinson's?
Occupational therapy can help people with Parkinson’s continue to carry out everyday activities when they become difficult to do. It can benefit people at all stages of the condition.
Emma Bracher, an independent occupational therapist, tells us more about the therapy.
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What benefits can occupational therapy have?
If your Parkinson’s symptoms are mild to moderate, occupational therapy focuses on:
- making you more aware of how you move and perform different tasks. For example, putting on your shirt or getting in and out of the car
- helping to manage any difficulties with multi-tasking
- promoting general mental and physical wellbeing, such as encouraging regular physical activity
- using mental, visual and auditory cueing techniques. A ‘cue’ is something you can do to encourage a movement to restart or to make your ability to move and the quality of the movement better
For people with more advanced symptoms, occupational therapy will also focus on:
- preventing falls and being able to move around safely
- practising safe ways for someone to move from one surface to another. For example, getting on and off your chair, bed or toilet.
- assessing your needs around seating, wheelchairs and other specialist equipment
What does a typical occupational therapy session involve?
The first session will usually involve an assessment to establish how your Parkinson’s affects you. You and your therapist will then create a treatment plan. This records what you would like help with, and setting goals for what you want to achieve.
What happens in a follow-up session will depend on what your specific issues and goals are. It could involve:
- trialling equipment and practising different ways to do things. This can help you carry out daily activities safely.
- practising specific movements repeatedly, such as slow or smaller movements. This can help create new habits and manage your symptoms.
- learning relaxation techniques, or building your confidence for when you are out and about
How can I get the most out occupational therapy?
It’s never too early to speak to an occupational therapist. The earlier you can learn strategies and understand how you can deal with any potential difficulties, the better.
An occupational therapist can help put your mind at rest about any concerns you have for the future. They can also point you in the right direction and services that you may benefit from.
Before your first appointment with your occupational therapist, think about the top 3 things you need help with. For example, are you able to get out of the bath safely? Is getting dressed by yourself difficult?
Your occupational therapist will be able to work with you to find ways to make things easier and safer. They can also help you to stay independent for longer. The strategies that you learn for one task may help you for other tasks that you find a challenge.
Your occupational therapist can look at what changes, adaptations or equipment will help keep you safe and independent.
Your occupational therapist can help improve how you move about by teaching you various cueing techniques and strategies. They can also advise you on how changes to the layout of your home may help and refer you to a physiotherapist if you haven't already seen one.
Occupational therapists can help with non-motor symptoms as well as motor symptoms. If you suffer from pain and fatigue for example, your occupational therapist can help you to plan and prioritise tasks.
If you experience anxiety or depression, they can help you to learn strategies to help you deal better with these symptoms.
How can I see an occupational therapist?
Occupational therapists work within both the NHS and social services settings.
You can also see an occupational therapist privately or you can find out more by visiting the Royal College of Occupational Therapists online directory.
Leah's story
Leah is 49 and lives in North Yorkshire. She shares her experience of occupational therapy.
"I arranged to see an occupational therapist through my local NHS integrated care team. I had started feeling very tired. I was also having trouble getting up my stairs and was concerned about falling.
"An occupational therapist came to my house and completed an assessment to help minimise my risk of falls. One of the main adjustments I’ve made since is knocking down my conservatory and replacing it with a downstairs bedroom.
"I also had a bed guard, a type of rail, fitted to the side of my bed, which I use to pull myself up if I’m feeling stiff after waking up.
"I’m currently in the process of having a wet room fitted downstairs, which contains specialist flooring and grab rails. My occupational therapist helped me apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant, which will go towards building costs.
"Occupational therapy provided me with valuable ideas and strategies that I wouldn’t have been able to teach myself. My therapist’s focus throughout has been on trying to keep me working and active at home, while meeting both my current and long-term needs.
"It’s been really nice having somebody there who listens and shows a lot of care and compassion."