September Symposium: The Impact of Cognitive Decline on Daily Living (2021)

In this webinar, occupational therapist Lisa Wechzelberger discusses the impact of cognitive decline on daily living for individuals with Parkinson's disease. She emphasizes the role of occupational therapy in managing cognitive challenges, highlighting strategies such as reducing distractions and focusing on one task at a time. Lisa also explains the assessments utilized by occupational therapists, including cognitive screens and functional assessments, to evaluate cognitive function and functional abilities.

The webinar outlines strategies for improving cognition and personal care, emphasizing the significance of using calendars, labels, and signage as memory aids. It offers advice for managing medications, including setting alarms and using medication organizers. The talk further delves into household management strategies, advocating for automatic bill payments and utilizing safety features in the home. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of sleep, stress management, hydration, brain activities, and exercise for cognition, recommending a sleep duration of eight to ten hours and suggesting practices for stress reduction and brain stimulation. Lisa encourages consultation with the healthcare team and accessing occupational therapy services for tailored Parkinson's-specific care.

View the video slides accompanying this presentation by clicking here.

**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**