Parkinson's Disease Support Group
Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder often characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement, and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement. The primary symptoms of Parkinsons are due to excessive muscle contraction, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the...
I was wondering if any of you have problems getting dressed.
My husband has problems with some buttons, but putting on his T shirt is especially difficult, lately.
I've tried to give him directions on how to make it easier by putting his arms in first instead of the head, but he can't do it although he only tried that once.
I've also marked the back of his T shirts so he'll know which is the front and back. What happens is, he puts the shirt on the bed and very slowly gathers up the shirt and slowly puts his head in the hole and then with difficulty slowly gets his arms in the holes. It seems he has more difficulty with the T shirts than a golf shirt, but he uses the T shirts for PJ's.
Also whenever he takes a shower or his back is sweaty, he sometimes can't get the shirt over and down his back, so comes out to ask me to help him pull the shirt down.
It just pains me to see him getting dressed. He also has problems with pants that have the metal clasps. We have Velcro's put on his pants so that is working good.
You know that this simple task like getting dress is taken for granted since we first learned to dressed ourselves at a young age, and doing it without thinking throughout our lives. Then when this task is taken from you or you have difficulty, it makes life harder.
I help my husband if he asks or it is taking him too long, as I can see it is wearing him out too. I want him to be independent as long as possible, so could any of you give me some guidance.
Should I continue to help him, or let him struggle? I just feel for him.
Is there a video about this problem? I know there are button shirt with Velcro's on them but he doesn't want to wear those shirt to bed, especially. Also those kind of shops aren't near our location.
Thanks for your help.
My husband has problems with some buttons, but putting on his T shirt is especially difficult, lately.
I've tried to give him directions on how to make it easier by putting his arms in first instead of the head, but he can't do it although he only tried that once.
I've also marked the back of his T shirts so he'll know which is the front and back. What happens is, he puts the shirt on the bed and very slowly gathers up the shirt and slowly puts his head in the hole and then with difficulty slowly gets his arms in the holes. It seems he has more difficulty with the T shirts than a golf shirt, but he uses the T shirts for PJ's.
Also whenever he takes a shower or his back is sweaty, he sometimes can't get the shirt over and down his back, so comes out to ask me to help him pull the shirt down.
It just pains me to see him getting dressed. He also has problems with pants that have the metal clasps. We have Velcro's put on his pants so that is working good.
You know that this simple task like getting dress is taken for granted since we first learned to dressed ourselves at a young age, and doing it without thinking throughout our lives. Then when this task is taken from you or you have difficulty, it makes life harder.
I help my husband if he asks or it is taking him too long, as I can see it is wearing him out too. I want him to be independent as long as possible, so could any of you give me some guidance.
Should I continue to help him, or let him struggle? I just feel for him.
Is there a video about this problem? I know there are button shirt with Velcro's on them but he doesn't want to wear those shirt to bed, especially. Also those kind of shops aren't near our location.
Thanks for your help.
You mentioned about cutting your toenails. I was wonder if you could go to a toe clinic where they could cut your nails. I know it might be too expensive though.
If that doesn't work, is there a Senior's Centre in your area that you could check out? I believe the centre in my area has someone come in to the centre certain times and looks after the people's feet, such as trimming.
I know when my father was alive and living in a nursing/residence, they had someone come in and I think it cost about $25 to have your toe nails cut.
My husband goes to a clinic because of a callous and the specialist also trims his toes.
Anyway, why don't you inquire among your friends or at a Senior's Centre and they might help or even call the Diabetic Society to see if they can give you some help.
It's just an idea.......... I am also diabetic but don't have problems right now......... but I am thinking of joining our Senior's Centre this winter so I'm going to see about the toenail thing..........
I do get diabetic foot checks at my GP office every 6 months and am incredibly careful about blisters, good fitting shoes, etc. Of course, with the PD, gorgeous high heels are out of the question...still miss them!