Connecting
with others
A lot of people are living alone with Parkinson disease.
However, living alone with Parkinson doesn't mean that you are alone.
In the UK, we are a community of more than 145, 000 people living with it.
So you can't say you are alone.
The challenge that we all have to be able to stay connected is that we need to adapt to our circumstances.
Emotional challenges of living alone
Social Isolation
Living alone with Parkinson's disease provides a sense of independence, but it can also feel isolating. Everyone experiences feelings of isolation and loneliness from time to time, but it is critical to recognise when these feelings are negatively impacting your health.
If you feel apathy or fatigue for more than five days in a row over a two-week period, you may be depressed. You need to seek advise from a professional if you notice that.
Accepting Your Situation
A person living alone with Parkinson's has a different day-to-day experience than someone who lives with a spouse or care partner. It can be difficult to locate resources geared toward people who live alone. You may also experience feelings of inadequacy when comparing your life to that of others.
Remember that, just as everyone is affected differently by Parkinson's disease, each person with the disease lives with and manages the disease in their own unique way. You and your knowledge are valuable. There is a strong community of people living well alone with Parkinson's disease.
There are numerous methods for staying connected to your existing support network or for making new connections.
Staying Connected While Living Alone
Living alone does not mean you are alone!
Your network of support may include:
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Family
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Friends
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Neighbors
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Coworkers
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Therapist/counselor
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Medical team
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Support group
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Faith community
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Pets can also provide support. Pets can also be registered as emotional support animals in public places, which can help reduce anxiety and provide therapeutic support.
When you're feeling down some days, try to talk to one person or complete one task. Making a connection or participating in an activity can help you feel more motivated and less lonely.
Need to speak about your symptoms and how you can cope with them?
Not a problem! Let's talk about it right now.
I offer you a free15 minutes consultation call to get to know each other and discuss your specific needs.
Here are a few tips for making everyday tasks easier to manage
Tip#1
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Personalize your living space to meet your needs according to the most frequent symptoms you have. The ability to organise your own space is one advantage of living alone. Put important items where you can see and reach them, so you can find what you need when you need it.
Tip#2
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Have a pair of pliers on hand. This multi-purpose tool can aid you to open jars and bags, to grip small objects, reach awkward places, hold wires, bend loops, and attach wires.
Tip#3
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Modify your phone's settings. There are numerous options for making smartphone use easier. Consider enabling the following features to improve phone control and connectivity:
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Touch Accommodations: This feature modifies how your device's screen responds to taps, swipes, and other gestures.
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Voice Commands: Voice assistants such as Siri and Google Assistant reduce the need for you to use your hands to operate your phone. These tools can be used to launch applications, make phone calls and dictate text messages.
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Tip#4
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Develop a schedule based on your good/bad moments of the day. Schedule your commitments around the times of day when you feel the best. Determine how many tasks you can typically complete on a "good" or "bad" day to avoid overscheduling. Set timers for your medications so you don't forget to take them on time.
Tip#5
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Reach out to your support network. When faced with a difficult task, seek assistance. Even if you can care for yourself, delegating some responsibilities can help you save energy for things you enjoy, such as hobbies or social interaction.
Other tips for the future
Now, we all know that Parkinson disease is a degenerative one, which over time worsens our symptoms and impact our mobility. It is paramount to keep ourselves safe in the present, but also think about staying safe over time. Few things that come to my mind are:
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Start thinking about the tools that will help you have control over important life decisions such as selecting an assisted living facility or nursing home later on.
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Start thinking about signing a insurance service. This document appoints someone you trust as your proxy and authorises them to make health-care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so.