Exercises that a person with Parkinson's Disease could do?

aelitaangels
aelitaangels Posts: 61 Member
edited October 29 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey, so this question isn't for me but my mother.
She's 51 years old and has had Parkinson's for about 7 years now. Because of added stress from outside sources her health has slowly deteriorated over the years.
When her medicine isn't working she can't walk and doesn't have fine motor control (has trouble pronouncing words properly and writing). Before she had Parkinson's she wasn't the type to like exercise and took lengths to avoid it, however with Parkinson since she can't walk much anymore (me and my sister often have to wheel her around if there's a lot of walking involved) she gets very little exercise. Because of the lack of exercise and poor eating habits, she's put on a lot of unhealthy weight. But what's worrying the most to me is the lack of muscle development in her legs from the lack of exercise.
At times she can walk and even run for a short spurt of time when her medicine's working, but its still with a very stiff movement that's different from a person's natural walk.
So the challenge is to find an exercise that she could do and would enjoy (and stick to) since she doesn't like exercise in the first place. Any ideas or advice would be appreciated.

Replies

  • aelitaangels
    aelitaangels Posts: 61 Member
    bump.
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    Honestly, I would ask her doctor.

    But maybe a recumbant bike in the living room?
    She can pedal at her own speed and watch tv
  • RobynMWilson
    RobynMWilson Posts: 1,540 Member
    I was at a loss, but here's a few ideas, anyway...

    http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/parkinsons-exercise
  • sunglasses_and_ocean_waves
    sunglasses_and_ocean_waves Posts: 2,757 Member
    I cannot answer your question, but you seem like a great daughter. I would make an appt to discuss this with her dr or someone at the practice that specializes in physical care (ie: physical therapist). Since she has an ongoing relationship with her dr, there absolutely has to be services in places or at least recommendations for physical health outside the medical stuff.
    Best wishes.
  • georgina1970
    georgina1970 Posts: 333 Member

    http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/parkinsons-exercise

    This is a good article to give you a basic idea.
    As above I would suggest an Exercycle + weight/resistance training to build up some muscle strength.
    Starting point depends on where she is at now, but to gradually build up time and resistance/weight being used. I would choose 2-3 compound exercises + walking or cycling. A little each day depending on energy levels. Two exercises to start with could be squats, using a chair for support if required, and and upper body exercise such as bicep curls into a shoulder press. If you don't have dumbells, try using clean milk bottles of 1-4l filled with water or sand (you would need to weigh the sand if using.)
  • CLFrancois
    CLFrancois Posts: 472 Member
    My MIL had Parkinson's for over 10 years. My husband and I helped her with some small work outs.
    Best thing for her was water work outs.
    Look into something around your area that may be specific for ladies with debilitating diseases.
    I wish you luck. It is not easy. My MIL passed October of 2011.
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    My father has had it for 10+ years and was wheelchair bound for about 6 months last year, and gained a lot of weight because of lack of mobility over the last few years. Since then he's had the Deep Brain Stimulation and has gained a lot of his mobility back, as well as my step mother improving his eating habits significantly.. before, he would eat a pint of hagen das a day and live on ramen and grilled cheese. bad.. He wouldn't touch green food with a 10 foot pole. LOL. He's 70 this year.
  • raegan1215
    raegan1215 Posts: 89
    can you get her an appointment with an occupational therapist? i just finished my masters in ot and we did a lot of coursework on movement disorders including neurological ones like parkinsons. an ot would definitely encourage a healthy lifestyle and be able to work with her on figuring out some exercises that would not only help her with the weight loss goals but overall mobility issues. i'm completely biased towards ot but i do think it might be worth a shot!
  • ywl564
    ywl564 Posts: 1 Member
    I am 55 and have known about my Parkinson's for 8 years. I do beginners and slow flow yoga. Yoga is a practice that allows for different levels of experience to be in the same class. My balance has improved significantly. I also walk but on bad days it is more like a stagger. I know this is an old feed but I hope it will help someone.
  • GeorgeL583
    GeorgeL583 Posts: 34 Member
    How about a recumbent exercise bike, amazon has them for pretty cheap.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    does she WANT to exercise?

    I am thinking maybe a recumbent bike (or even one of those pedal machines). light arm work (like a soup can), light leg work (like leg lifts based on her strength level). arm bands, maybe? Trying to think of things I would have my grandfather do (if he were interested at all LOL)

    Also, her insurance may cover some amount of physical therapy. My grandfather does do that, but mostly its just walking (and a way for them to bill medicare, but i digress....)
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