Dealing with Seasonal Changes

For many Canadians, the beginning of autumn requires adjusting to shorter days and colder weather; for those living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), these seasonal changes involve some additional considerations to ensure one’s safety and well-being. Below you will find a few tips on how you and your household can prepare.

Exercise Care in Wet and Slippery Conditions

British Columbia usually receives quite a bit of precipitation during the colder months which, in combination with newly fallen leaves, can create slippery conditions. As PD symptoms and medications can affect balance and coordination, it is important for people with PD to monitor their blood pressure and continue to exercise regularly. Furthermore, as we trade in sandals for sneakers and boots, make sure you look for comfortable footwear with good arch supports (Parkinson Society British Columbia, 2016).

Winter-proof your Home

Colder weather can be particularly uncomfortable for people with Parkinson’s symptoms, and as weather patterns become more unpredictable, there’s no better time than now to perform maintenance around your home. Now is a good time to get your chimney, furnace or windows inspected. In the winter, not only do you want to keep your home heated, but you’ll want to avoid air leaks. You may also want to have your gutters cleaned, in addition to scheduling a roof inspection to catch and fix any missing or faulty shingles (Parkinson’s Focus Today, 2009).

Driving

Wet and slippery roads coupled with changing light conditions – both natural and artificial – can make driving in the fall and winter months challenging. While a number of studies have determined that people with Parkinson’s disease tend to experience longer reaction times, reduced steering accuracy and stiffness in the neck and arms, there is also a need to consider the side effects from medication, which include sleepiness, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion and memory impairment.

Despite the increased risks, many people with Parkinson’s continue to drive for years after their diagnosis. There are a number of actions you can take right now to monitor your driving:

• Ask your doctor whether your medications may affect your driving
• Be aware of the variation in your energy levels or “on/off” periods
• Eliminate distractions while driving
• Avoid nighttime driving if you are affected by vision changes in reduced light

If you’re unsure about your driving abilities, you and/or a loved one can conduct the following “driving audit”.

When you drive, do you:

• Remember to buckle up?
• Obey stop signs and traffic lights?
• Get lost, even on familiar routes?
• Drive at the appropriate speed?
• Yield the right of way?
• Stop at green lights or at the wrong time?
• Miss noticing others on the road?
• Stray out of your lane?
• Get honked at or passed often?
• React too slowly to changing situations?

As a driver, have you experienced:

• Recent near misses or fender benders?
• Recent tickets for traffic violations?
• Comments from passengers about close calls and/or near misses?
• Recent increase in your car insurance premiums due to traffic violations, accidents, etc.?

If your driving is a concern to you or others, you may want to consult with your doctor about your medications. In BC, the Driver Fitness Unit of the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV) administers vision and medical tests to help determine if individuals can drive safely.

Managing Shorter Days and Longer Nights

With shorter daytime hours and longer evenings, you may be tempted to make changes to your routine. While this may be necessary, we encourage you to continue to get adequate sleep and exercise. If you notice changes to your mood, especially depression and anxiety, it is important to inform your doctor. Even if they opt to continue with your existing medication regimen, you might be a suitable candidate for counselling or light therapy.

This content was published in the Fall 2017 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.