Parkinson's Walking Problems in Naperville, IL
How Movement and Walking Are Affected by Parkinson's
Walking and ease of movement are something most of us take for granted until we suddenly have trouble moving without pain. A family caregiver, Kate has seen first-hand how her 78-year-old father has lost some of his mobility over the years. He's always been an active guy, but with age, he had a harder time exercising as much as he used to. Recently, Kate has noticed Dad walking in very stiff movements without moving his arms. She's concerned—especially since Mom has expressed worry about Parkinson's disease.
Does Parkinson's Cause Walking Problems?
Before her mom raised the alarm about the early signs of Parkinson's disease, Kate didn't associate walking problems with the condition. She knew it affected motor and nonmotor skills, but hadn't realized it could make walking and other everyday tasks so difficult for Dad. As Kate learned more about the condition, she saw additional signs of Parkinson's and encouraged her parents to make an appointment with their local doctor in Naperville.
Recognize Tell-Tale Parkinson's Walking Problems
Now that Kate looks back on the past few weeks, she does remember a few walking problems she didn't pay attention to at the time. After doing her research and speaking with Dad's doctor, she knows to recognize these signs of walking problems:
- Freezing: When a person stops suddenly and appears frozen in space, they may be dealing with Parkinson's and walking problems. Freezing often happens during walking but may also occur during repetitive activities.
- Falling: Walking problems can impact balance and lead to falls. While some falls are easy to recover from, others cause serious injuries. Kate now stays vigilant for balance issues, trips and anything else that could lead to a fall.
Walking Changes to Look for
Parkinson's disease walking problems may look different depending on the person. In Kate's dad's case, he experienced stiffness and difficulty moving his arms. But now that Kate knows more about how the disease can affect movement, she's being more careful about identifying changes in Dad's gait. When she notices any of the following, she makes a note for the doctor:
- Taking smaller steps
- Walking more slowly than normal
- Difficulty turning corners
- Walking flat-footed
- Shuffling steps
- Hunched posture
- Lack of arm swing
- Walking with feet too close together
Helping Your Loved One Live Comfortably
Kate's number-one goal as her dad's caregiver is to ensure he can live with pain and discomfort. She can tell he just isn't as happy as he used to be, considering how difficult it's getting for him to move without assistance. To help Dad feel safer and more comfortable, Kate implements these strategies:
- Exercise: Dad was working out a lot during his military days, but hasn't been able to do so like he once did. Any exercise is good exercise, and Kate has discussed safe workout routines with Dad's doctor. With consistency, exercise can improve gait, flexibility and posture.
- Fall Prevention: Kate wants to avoid any problems with falling before they occur. She's encouraged Dad to make a few adjustments to how he walks. He's supposed to think about the size of his steps and worry less about moving quickly. Kate has also gotten him a cane to use at his doctor's recommendation. Whenever she sees Dad carrying too much, she insists on helping him.
Seek Assistance From BrightStar Care
We don't want to think about what happens when a loved one is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. But it's always your best bet to seek help when you notice walking changes or other signs of the condition. Because Kate was proactive in getting help for her father, he is able to live a comfortable, fulfilling life despite Parkinson's. On days when Dad needs a little extra help, Kate reaches out to BrightStar Care for services. Our Naperville, IL location offers companion care, skilled nursing and a range of other specialties.
- Parkinson's Foundation
- Fight Parkinson's
- Johns Hopkins