Guest guest Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I would strongly advise asking the physical therapist for exercises that can be done at home, rather than choosing some on your own. Because balance is such an issue for some, the physical therapist will know better what is possible, what isn't, and what could be dangerous. I suspect that the therapist does expect your dad to work on some of the exercises they do together at home. I'm surprised that you didn't mention that. Exercises often need to be done with a partner or coach. If you haven't already attended one of your dad's PT sessions, you should - before adding anything. You may end up being his home partner/coach. Remember that, while exercise may help keep muscles toned, it doesn't cure anything. I know the impulse is to fight this thing, but you have to balance that with your dad's ability to fight and comprehend the fight. Helping him find ways to live with this thing is far more helpful. Kathy > ** > > > We are still learning & still not sure what my dad has, lbd? pd? He needs > to exercise & stretch, he started physical therapy but we want to do more > at home. I cant find any books on exercise for LBD, so would a Parkinson's > exercise book be ok for LBD patient? Any advice is appreciated. > tim > > > -- Kate Knapp Office of Information Technology University of Minnesota knapp@... * " Nobody's right if everybody's wrong. " Now I know. It's from " For what it's worth, " written by Stills and first recorded by Buffalo Springfield* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Exercise books for those with PD will work fine for someone with LBD. (One common type of LBD is PD with dementia.) The books by Argue (johnargue.com) are terrific. And the APDA (apdaparkinson.org) has a nice exercise booklet available at no charge from your local Information & Referral Center. > > We are still learning & still not sure what my dad has, lbd? pd? He needs to exercise & stretch, he started physical therapy but we want to do more at home. I cant find any books on exercise for LBD, so would a Parkinson's exercise book be ok for LBD patient? Any advice is appreciated. > tim > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2011 Report Share Posted November 5, 2011 Hi Jo, That would be great. Thank you very much! Tim > > Hi Tim.........my husband, has gone through several physical therapy programs at our local hospital here in Olympia, WA. The first few times the program was just the usual one presented to and for disabled patients. > The more 's therapist worked with him the more involved she became! > On her own, she delved into different programs and came up with one especially formulated for Parkinson Patients. It is called " The BIG PT Program " Every exercise is formatted with PDpatients in mind...... Overly exaggerated movements is what this program is all about. I will spend some time and attempt to gather up more information for you, Tim. Oh, there is also a " BIG Speech Therapy " program.....developed especially for the PD patient...teaching them how to speak louder and not to mumble.....I wish you the Best of Luck with your Dad. > MJ > > >  Jo > > > >________________________________ > > > >To: LBDcaregivers > >Sent: Friday, November 4, 2011 8:55 AM > >Subject: need exercise advice > > > > > > > >We are still learning & still not sure what my dad has, lbd? pd? He needs to exercise & stretch, he started physical therapy but we want to do more at home. I cant find any books on exercise for LBD, so would a Parkinson's exercise book be ok for LBD patient? Any advice is appreciated. > >tim > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2011 Report Share Posted November 5, 2011 rriddle_travel, I went to the ADPA website & ordered several brochures. Thank for the info! Kathy, I was thinking of dad doing exercises sitting down so he wouldnt fall. Only 1 person was allowed in with dad for his first PT so mom went in with him. Next time I will ask to speak with the therapist about home exercises. I know there isnt a cure, we just want him to be as happy & healthy for as long as possible. We are learning how to live with this the best we can. Thank you for the help! Tim > > > ** > > > > > > We are still learning & still not sure what my dad has, lbd? pd? He needs > > to exercise & stretch, he started physical therapy but we want to do more > > at home. I cant find any books on exercise for LBD, so would a Parkinson's > > exercise book be ok for LBD patient? Any advice is appreciated. > > tim > > > > > > > > > > -- > Kate Knapp > Office of Information Technology > University of Minnesota > knapp@... > > > * " Nobody's right if everybody's wrong. " Now I know. It's from " For what > it's worth, " written by Stills and first recorded by Buffalo > Springfield* > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Tim, Do go in with him as often as you can. The person who is most likely to work on the exercises with him is the person who should observe and learn how the exercises are done. But at least two people should know what is involved. How about occupational therapy? Anyone who will help with his care should attend at least one session. The most physically fit of us attended Mom's earliest PT and OT sessions, as she was better prepared to work the exercises and handle things like transfers. The rest of us attended later OT sessions to learn how to deal with equipment and transfers. As your dad's physical abilities lessen, this will be more and more important. Good luck. Your dad's lucky to have a family willing to work with him to keep him as healthy as possible. Kathy > ** > > > rriddle_travel, I went to the ADPA website & ordered several brochures. > Thank for the info! > > Kathy, I was thinking of dad doing exercises sitting down so he wouldnt > fall. Only 1 person was allowed in with dad for his first PT so mom went in > with him. Next time I will ask to speak with the therapist about home > exercises. I know there isnt a cure, we just want him to be as happy & > healthy for as long as possible. We are learning how to live with this the > best we can. > Thank you for the help! > Tim > > > > > > > > ** > > > > > > > > > > We are still learning & still not sure what my dad has, lbd? pd? He > needs > > > to exercise & stretch, he started physical therapy but we want to do > more > > > at home. I cant find any books on exercise for LBD, so would a > Parkinson's > > > exercise book be ok for LBD patient? Any advice is appreciated. > > > tim > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Kate Knapp > > Office of Information Technology > > University of Minnesota > > knapp@... > > > > > > * " Nobody's right if everybody's wrong. " Now I know. It's from " For what > > > it's worth, " written by Stills and first recorded by Buffalo > > Springfield* > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Tim, I'll chime in and add - If you do occupational therapy try to get some hand/arm/shoulder exercises that he can do sitting with a tray or table in front of him. That will also help. Squeezing playdough, making balls, rolling it, flattening it, stacking plastic cups back and forth - all of these things will help with the hand-eye-brain connections and fine motor skills in the hands. Using a rolling pin and rolling it across a table in front of him will help stretch his upper body and shoulders. My mil hated it but she can still use one hand to grasp with now (the other is contracted into a tight fist). Everyone in the household and family who has anything to do with your father's care/encouragement should know the exercises. It really helps sometimes to have someone else to help with doing them. With my mil sometimes she would get irritated with the same person over and over again so a fresh person would come in (like a tag team) and take up and she'd be much better and not so irritated. With my mil at home we walked to the kitchen sink, she held on to the counter for balance mostly and we did the exercises together there - 10 of each exercise on each leg, 2-3 times a day. Then there were chair exercises for legs, then for upper torso, reaching exercises for arms/shoulders, a thing that hangs on the door with pullies, rope and handles for exercising arms and shoulders to keep them moving (this was very good for my mil because she dictated what felt comfortable for her to do). In the beginning we borrowed a recumbent bike exercise thing which she did 20 minutes on along with walking down the stairs and down the road (all with a person going along as a " spotter " /coach) . She was also doing balance exercises in the beginning - standing on an uneven surface and seeing how long she could hold her balance. My mil always liked a challenge and opportunity to do better or improve her " score " so for her if I set these things up like that she was more inclined to do them without grumbling. She could stand on an uneven surface (old sofa pillow) for nearly 3 minutes - her record which she was very proud of. Walking and even standing are also great " exercises " . When she was sitting she did leg lifts and toe touches periodically. She can still sit and touch her toes with one arm (other is not so good now) and lift her legs but not her knees anymore. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the exercise not only helped her remain somewhat mobile but also helped her mentally and emotionally. Her neurologist was a bit surprised by how literally we took his recommendation of " aggressive physically therapy " and extremely pleased at how well she is doing in spite of the very advanced stage she is. While we're talking about keeping things moving/moveable - I'll mention something I learned from the speech therapist we got to consult with again - singing is very helpful to keep the swallowing muscles toned. We have been singing with her a lot the last three weeks now - she doesn't like to sing on her own but if we start up with a song like row your boat, old macdonald, twinkle star, happy birthday, she cannot help but join in. She is swallowing much better and can once again clear the mucus out of her throat. I don't know how long it will last as she cannot remember her children's names but for now it's nice she can swallow better and means she can enjoy food she likes again. There is nothing that's going to cure this known of yet - but these things have a good chance of making the quality of life a little better for a little bit longer. There were many times I didn't know if it was worth it or not - but looking at where my mil is now and how she is barely functioning - but she can STILL get out of bed and still walk with assistance and how much that means to her - I really believe all the exercise made this possible and was worth it. -Dorothy From: LBDcaregivers [mailto:LBDcaregivers ] On Behalf Of Kate Knapp Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 8:32 AM To: LBDcaregivers Subject: Re: Re: need exercise advice Tim, Do go in with him as often as you can. The person who is most likely to work on the exercises with him is the person who should observe and learn how the exercises are done. But at least two people should know what is involved. How about occupational therapy? Anyone who will help with his care should attend at least one session. The most physically fit of us attended Mom's earliest PT and OT sessions, as she was better prepared to work the exercises and handle things like transfers. The rest of us attended later OT sessions to learn how to deal with equipment and transfers. As your dad's physical abilities lessen, this will be more and more important. Good luck. Your dad's lucky to have a family willing to work with him to keep him as healthy as possible. Kathy On Sat, Nov 5, 2011 at 10:46 AM, thahalibut <thahalibut@... <mailto:thahalibut%40yahoo.com> > wrote: > ** > > > rriddle_travel, I went to the ADPA website & ordered several brochures. > Thank for the info! > > Kathy, I was thinking of dad doing exercises sitting down so he wouldnt > fall. Only 1 person was allowed in with dad for his first PT so mom went in > with him. Next time I will ask to speak with the therapist about home > exercises. I know there isnt a cure, we just want him to be as happy & > healthy for as long as possible. We are learning how to live with this the > best we can. > Thank you for the help! > Tim > > > > > > > > ** > > > > > > > > > > We are still learning & still not sure what my dad has, lbd? pd? He > needs > > > to exercise & stretch, he started physical therapy but we want to do > more > > > at home. I cant find any books on exercise for LBD, so would a > Parkinson's > > > exercise book be ok for LBD patient? Any advice is appreciated. > > > tim > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Kate Knapp > > Office of Information Technology > > University of Minnesota > > knapp@... > > > > > > * " Nobody's right if everybody's wrong. " Now I know. It's from " For what > > > it's worth, " written by Stills and first recorded by Buffalo > > Springfield* > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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