Occupational performance issues
As discussed previously, an individual with Parkinson's Disease can present with a vast array of symptoms. Diverse and widespread symptoms can have diverse and widespread consequences which occupational therapists call occupational performance issues.
Activities of daily living such as eating and dressing can become more challenging throughout the course of the disease. The task of eating can become impaired due to difficulty cutting food as well as difficulty chewing and swallowing. Rigidity and bradykinesia can result in slowed, awkward movements which lack fine motor co-ordination thus impacting an individual's ability to properly use utensils (Gaudet, 2002). Dressing can be affected due to decreased fine motor control required for buttoning and cognitive impairment which can impact sequencing and planning (Gaudet, 2002).
Reduced facial expression and decreased speech volume can impact communication and social interactions (Gaudet, 2002). Tremor and freezing of gait can also have social consequences as an individual's disease progresses. Communication can be affected as writing becomes smaller, slower, and more difficult due to bradykinesia and tremor.
Instrumental activities of daily living requiring planning and problem solving can be impacted in later stages of the disease when cognitive impairment becomes more common. Cognitive impairment can include deficits in visuospatial orientation, sequencing, sensorimotor functioning, and language abilities (Gaudet, 2002). Occupations which may be impacted by cognitive deficits include driving, grocery shopping, budgeting, and household maintenance (Gaudet, 2002).
Instrumental activities of daily living requiring planning and problem solving can be impacted in later stages of the disease when cognitive impairment becomes more common. Cognitive impairment can include deficits in visuospatial orientation, sequencing, sensorimotor functioning, and language abilities (Gaudet, 2002). Occupations which may be impacted by cognitive deficits include driving, grocery shopping, budgeting, and household maintenance (Gaudet, 2002).