Parkinson’s Getting Out Of Bed

September 16, 2022

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The Pencil Grip Heavyweight Mechanical Pencil Set Tpg

Theraposture Rotoflex bed: help with Parkinsons getting out of bed safely

Make your loved ones day-to-day a little easier, starting with their writing utensils.

Accomplishing tasks can take longer due to slowness of movements, explains Dr. Nwabuobi. Writing and performing other fine motor tasks such as putting on jewelry or shaving can become more laborious due to tremor. Weighted pens are a great way for those with Parkinsons to cut down on tremors and gain better control of their hand while writing, making the process easier and handwriting more readable.

This weighted pen from The Pencil Grip is said to help people develop better motor control and build up strength through regular use. It weighs four ounces to add a nice level of heftiness and bring a smooth finish to any writing efforts.

Upon diagnosis, Dr. Nwabuobi advises all her patients to become physically active and start a fitness regimen. Ideally, exercise should include stretching, aerobic activity, and resistance training. I tell patients to do what they love as long as they are increasing their heart rate and breaking a sweat. This can include speed walking, dancing, yoga, swimming, cycling, boxing, pilates, etc., she adds. An apple watch is a great way for Parkinsons patients to not only keep track of their exercise habits, but all their daily movements. It also monitors heart rates and irregular irregular heart rhythms. Honestly, theres nothing like a new, shiny device meant to encourage physical activity to make you get up and move.

Whats The Relationship Between Parkinsons And Sleep

Parkinsons disease and sleep are connected in complex ways that not even scientists completely understand quite yet.

Sometimes, Parkinsons disease directly causes sleep problems. According to one study, sleep-related symptoms may be one of the earliest signs of Parkinsons disease. These signs may include things like thrashing while youre asleep.

Other factors can also play a role. One thing is clear: For many people with Parkinsons disease, a restful nights sleep can be hard to find.

Tips For Getting Rest And Sleep With Parkinsons Disease

The physical symptoms of Parkinsons disease can often prevent those who live with the condition from getting a good nights sleep and adequate rest. The restorative effects of sleep can improve health and help those with Parkinsons disease better manage the disease on a daily basis, so ensuring they get enough quality sleep is essential.

MORE: Using exercise to help combat Parkinsons disease symptoms

The National Parkinsons Foundation has published some tips on how to get a good nights sleep including:

Have a bedtime routine. Establishing a bedtime routine is one of the keys to a successful nights sleep. Try to do the same relaxing things each night prior to going to bed, whether this is having a warm bath, reading a book, or watching a TV show is up to you. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day to establish a regular sleep schedule.
Avoid things that may disturb sleep. Stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine are best avoided for an hour or so before bedtime. Likewise, limit the number of liquids you drink so that youre not waking up in the middle of the night to visit the bathroom.
Exercise. Exercising during the day will help you sleep better at night. However, its best to avoid exercising just prior to retiring for the night.

Writing Tips For Parkinsons Disease

Use large print, instead of script writing. Try using weighted pens or pencils and wrap black electrical tape around the barrel for additional grip.
Use felt-tip markers and a large tablet on an easel.
If you have difficulty using writing utensils, try typing notes or letters on a computer or typewriter.

Other Methods To Tackle Sleep Issues

Using sleeping tablets alone is rarely an effective way of dealing with long-lasting sleep problems as they do not treat the underlying reasons that are causing your insomnia.

Scientific studies have compared the effects of sleep medication with psychological treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy . Sleeping tablets produce faster results than self-help treatments. But psychological treatments also produce more permanent improvements that can have lasting benefits for your sleep.

Quality Of Life Despite Parkinsons: Spending The Day In A Relaxed And Structured Way

The diagnosis often is unexpected, and has an immediate effect on a persons daily life. Besides the muscle tension typical of the illness, extreme fatigue decreases a persons quality of life. Many activities of everyday life become difficult.

MiS Micro-Stimulation relaxes muscles

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Are You Using The Best Bed Sheets For You

When you think of the most comfortable bed youve ever slept in, what comes to mind? A large number of people think of the sheets they slept in and with good reason. Making sure you have the best bed sheets possible is a huge part of getting a great nights sleep. Because our sheets are the part of the bed that our skin is in direct contact with, the quality of your bed sheets is almost as important as the quality of your mattress.

With so many different varieties of bed sheet available, it can be hard knowing how to pick the best bed sheets for you. Here are our top tips for picking the bed sheets that are right for you:

Guide To Helping Someone Transfer From A Wheelchair To A Bed

Caution! If you intend to move someone on your own, it is important that they can weight bear and move their feet a bit. If they cannot do this, you will need an extra person to help.

Using a slide sheet is the easiest way to help someone move in bed. If you dont have one, then you can improvise in the short term by using a good quality plastic sheet or bag as a substitute .

Step 1

Place the chair parallel to the bed, ensure that the brake is on, the footplate is up and, if possible, remove the armrest nearest to the bed.

Step 2

Stand on the other side of the person to the bed, facing the same direction and with your feet apart, one foot in front of the other.

Make sure that the persons feet are positioned for standing.

Bend your knees and put your arm around them, placing one hand on the persons farthest hip and with your other hand take hold of their nearest hand.

Step 3

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Parkinsons Sleep Problems

Parkinsons Bed Mobility workout

Parkinsons disease is chronic and progressive, meaning it tends to get worse over time. However, there are treatment options that can help manage symptoms and allow patients to get more restful sleep.

The simplest way to start sleeping better with Parkinsons disease is by adopting healthy sleep habits. Sleep hygiene tips for Parkinsons disease sufferers include:

Sticking to regular bedtimes
Following a consistent bedtime routine with soothing activities such as listening to music or reading a calming book
Getting regular exercise, preferably early in the day
Getting adequate exposure to light, whether outdoors or through light therapy
Avoiding long naps and naps late in the day
Creating a cool, dark, and comfortable sleeping environment
Restricting bedtime activities to sex and sleep only
Turning off screens an hour before bedtime
Reducing liquid intake before bedtime
Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco
Eating a healthy diet and avoiding large meals at night

Light therapy, exercise, and deep brain stimulation have been successfully used to improve overall sleep quality and to treat specific conditions, such as REM sleep behavior disorder, in patients with Parkinsons disease. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia has proven effective at reducing insomnia in healthy adults, although further research is needed on the effects of CBT in patients with Parkinsons disease.

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Also Check: Does Parkinson’s Affect Hearing

How To Choose The Right Mattress For Parkinsons Patients

When it comes to choosing the right Mattress for Parkinsons Patients, the following are some of the factors you should consider.

Comfort Make sure that the Mattress you are choosing is comfortable, and you can ensure it by checking the structure of the Mattress. If your chosen brand has an outlet near your home, I recommend you visit it and then try it before buying the Mattress.
Warranty Another thing which you should consider is the warranty. Ensure that the Mattress you are choosing has a respectable warranty period during which you can claim a change of Mattress.

Try Not To Nap During The Day

For many people, napping during the day affects their quality of night-time sleep, and reduces the amount of deep sleep they get. Some people with Parkinsons find they need a nap during the day.

Certain medication, for example, can make people very sleepy. If this is the case, try to nap for a short time only, for around 20 minutes. This should not have too much of an impact on your night-time sleep. However comfortable your Theraposture bed is, set an alarm clock to wake you after 20 minutes if youre worried youll sleep for longer!

Recommended Reading: Can You Drink Alcohol With Parkinson’s Disease

Difficult To Get Out Of Bed

Hi Everyone,

Im new here and the title of my post is true every which way!!! Ive been diagnosed for a few years but recently have really found it really really harrd to get in and out of bed because of the stiffness. Its really hit and miss every day and Im also getting much more tired and my mobility is starting to get on and off as well dont always feel that coordinated. My pace is slowing and Im often having to stop myself bumping into things and needing to stop and rest so much more. Do any of you think theres a medication that can help with this or is my best bet exercise and physio? If that can make an improvement.

With the bed situation, I dread going to sleep and waking up now just because of how hard it gets swinging myself in and out. Are there any beds you recommend that work for you and has anyone had a hospital bed? Can you get these from the NHS from a therapist or medic or do you have to buy one or something similar?

So many questions but it would be great if i could get some advice as were all going through this so now how we all feel.

Thanks Monica Xx

Hello Monika

Is the biggest part of the problem being able to move, or stiffness or pain? I have had disc problems in the past and recently have started to have pain when first standing up in the morning. I now do a few minutes back loosening exercises

Im just feeling, Why me? as we all do but sometimes all I can do is cry and the tears cant always soothe my heart. Why cant it just stop?

Tips For Better Sleep

Keep a regular sleep schedule go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.
Choose your bedtime based on when you want to get up. Plan to spend seven to eight hours a night in bed.
Make a bedtime routine for example, snack, evening medication, tooth-brushing, using the restroom and follow it every evening.
Spend time outdoors and exercise every day, in the morning if possible. Avoid exercise after 8:00 p.m.
If you cant get outdoors, consider light therapy sitting or working near a light therapy box, available at drug stores and department stores.
If you nap, try to do so at the same time every day, for no more than an hour, and not after 3:00 p.m.
Sleep in a cool dark place and use the bed only for sleeping and sexual activity.
Do not read, watch television, or use electronic devices in bed.
If turning in bed is difficult: use a satin fitted sheet and pajamas use a light quilt instead of an easily tangled bedsheet.
Minimize drinking liquids for three hours before bedtime to avoid frequent nighttime urination.
Go to the bathroom immediately before retiring.
Consider a soft, rather than bright, light to illuminate your path to the bathroom.
Place a portable commode next to the bed to minimize effort, if needed.

Also Check: How Long Has Michael J Fox Had Parkinson’s Disease

How Are Sleep Problems Treated In People With Parkinsons Disease

Your provider will recommend treatments that address whats causing your sleeping challenges. Your provider may:

Change your medication: If a medication could be causing your sleep issues, your provider may decide to adjust your treatment plan. Reducing the dose or switching medicines may solve the problem.
Prescribe a new medication or therapy: If you have a sleep disorder, your provider will discuss your options. In some cases, your provider may recommend a new medication. If you have sleep apnea, wearing a special oral appliance can help. The device enables you to get a steady flow of oxygen, so your body doesnt gasp for air.
Suggest lifestyle changes: Your daily habits and sleeping environment can help or hurt your sleep efforts. Setting regular sleep and wake times, keeping the room dark and avoiding electronic screens at bedtime may improve how well you sleep. If you have REM sleep disorder, your provider will discuss options for how best to protect you while you sleep.

Test Of Muscle Strength

The muscle strength of the hip flexors, extensors, abductors and adductors, knee flexors and extensors, ankle plantar flexion, and dorsiflexion was measured during isometric muscle contraction using a hand-held dynamometer , applying the HHD with a belt-fixation method . The torque was obtained by multiplying the force by the lever arm of each participant as a unit of the muscle strength. We also evaluated the intra-rater reliability of the values for muscle strength.

Why You Struggle To Sleep

The stiffness, pain, rigidity, and tremors of Parkinson’s disease make it hard to get comfortable in bedjust rolling over to find a more comfortable position can be a chore. But that’s not all you have to deal with. Here are some other Parkinson’s symptoms that can keep you up at night:

Insomnia. You may have a hard time simply falling asleep.
Nightmares. Vivid nightmares are common in people with Parkinson’s. They can seem so real that they cause you to act out your dreams.
Sleep disorders. Some disorders that interfere with sleep are more common in people with Parkinson’s. These include restless legs syndrome, periodic leg movement disorder, and sleep apnea.
Nocturia. Nocturia means having to urinate at night. People with Parkinson’s disease have a decreased ability to hold their urine. That could mean interrupting your sleep to get to the bathroom.
Depression. This is another condition that is more common in Parkinson’s. Depression can make you sleepy during the day and give you insomnia at night.

Bonnich Petersen Is 77 Years Old And A Retired Baker He Suffers From Parkinsons And Arthritis Bonnich Petersen Has Had A Rotobed For 15 Months

Movement Tips for People with Parkinson’s Disease

Bed for parkinson Bonnichs description:

I have had Parkinsons for 12 years, but in recent years it has become increasingly worse. I have difficulty walking, my body is aching and will not really obey me anymore.

I used to have a regular bed with elevation, but this is so much better. I can control it with great accuracy a small notch forward here, a small notch back there until I am in the perfect position. Previously it was a struggle to get in bed, and every night I had to wake my wife and have her drag me up when I had to pee.

The perfect bed for parkinson patients

Since I got the RotoBed®, I have not once had to wake my wife at night. This is such a relief for both of us. It is very satisfying for me to be able to take care of myself and not having to ask for help all the time. My daily nap is no longer a problem I get to bed and up again by myself, which allows my wife to leave the house during the day.

Physiotherapy And Parkinsons Disease: Learn How To Change Positions More Easily

Changing positions in Parkinsons disease can be difficult and can be affected by various motor symptoms such as bradykinesia , muscle stiffness and tremors. Daily movements such as getting out of the bed or getting up from a chair can be challenging.

As Parkinsons disease progresses, complex motor sequences may no longer be done automatically. In order to improve daily life activities and maintain ones independence, it is advised to start working with a physiotherapist as soon as possible.

Your physiotherapist will show you how to solve such movement problems by breaking down a complex task into different sections and consciously doing one step at a time. Concentrate on each step, look into the direction of the movement and take your time. The strategy is adapted to your needs. Make sure that if you want to practice getting out of bed for example, you find the right pillow and mattress for you. A strategy needs to be practised, tried at home and improved with your physiotherapist until it works for you.

Check out how you can improve your motor symptoms through dancing, and stretching.

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