Getting the right advice on equipment and aids
If you're considering buying mobility equipment or disability
aids for everyday living it's essential that you first have an
assessment from a relevant therapist.
People have bought expensive equipment without a proper assessment to later find it unusable.
Bernice Fletcher, Information and Support Worker
A therapist will assess your needs and make informed
recommendations.
The type of therapist you need depends on what kind of activity
is causing you problems.
How an occupational therapist can help
If you need help with daily living - activities such as washing,
bathing, dressing, eating, reading and writing - the relevant
therapist is likely to be an occupational therapist.
An occupational therapist can also advise on equipment to help
with leisure activities such as gardening or sport.
Contact your local social services to arrange for an
occupational therapist to visit you at home or ask your Parkinson's
specialist or GP to refer you.
You can find your local service on the
DirectGov website
Our Occupational therapy and Parkinson's
information sheet outlines the benefits of occupational therapy
for people with Parkinson's.
How a physiotherapist can help
If you have mobility problems and think you need equipment
to help you get around, both in your home and outside, then you
need to see a physiotherapist.
People with Parkinson's and their carers can benefit
significantly from even short-term or occasional contact with
physiotherapists.
Referral to a physiotherapist is generally made through your GP,
a consultant doctor, or a specialist Parkinson's nurse.
Some of our local branches and support
groups have group physiotherapy sessions.
For more detail on how people with Parkinson's and their carers
can benefit from physiotherapy take a look at our Physiotherapy and Parkinson's information
sheet
How a speech and language therapist can help
If you need help with communication (speech and facial
expressions) or swallowing, a speech and language therapist will be
able to advise you on exercises, techniques and equipment that will
help.
You can refer yourself through the speech and language therapy
department at your local hospital or get advice from your GP's
surgery.
For more information see our Speech and
language therapy and Parkinson's information sheet
Also in this section
Looking for one-to-one information and support?
Our information and support workers
offer one-to-one information and emotional support to people with
Parkinson's, their families and carers throughout the UK.
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