Cognition Strategies for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating disorder that attacks the brain. A patient suffering from PD finds it difficult to control the movements of his body, even simple actions like walking, getting up or sitting down. When a patient suffers from Parkinson's disease, cognitive abilities may also be impaired. Memory loss, bradyphrenia or a decrease in mental speed, declining visual and spatial ability, and impaired executive functions like prioritizing, executing, and planning may all occur in a PD patient.

Cognition Strategies for Bradyphrenia

• According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, PD patients who suffer from bradyphrenia have trouble thinking fast. They are not unable to think, but they do require more time to make decisions and answer questions.

  The best way to tackle the problem of bradyphrenia is to speak slowly and clearly. You may need to repeat what you have said when speaking to a Parkinson's patient. Since she takes longer to mentally process what you are saying, this will be very helpful. Make sure that you have her full attention at all times during your conversation. When she gets distracted, gently but firmly steer her back to the topic at hand.

Cognition Strategies for Impaired Executive Function

• Executive functions such as planning and organizing may be hampered in those with Parkinson's disease, so you need to write down plans for a PD patient in steps that he can follow. Use alarm clocks to remind him of activities that must be done, and post lists in places where he will readily see them. If you are switching topics in a conversation, inform the person clearly that you are doing so.

  Similarly, put commonly misplaced household items like keys and remote controls in exactly the same spot so that the PD patient does not have to hunt around. Instead of visual clues, use verbal ones. Since most Parkinson's disease sufferers have difficulty interpreting visual patterns, it is better to provide directions than maps.

The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment

• The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment program was developed to treat some common verbal symptoms of Parkinson's disease. More than 80 percent of PD patients have speech problems such as reduced loudness, vocal tremor, unclear speech, monotone and rapid speech rate.

  The aim of this treatment is to bring about more intelligibility when Parkinson's disease sufferers talk and encourage them to speak loudly. A therapist may provide daily opportunities for the PD patient to practice speaking in a variety of situations and tones, through role play or through simple interaction. This can greatly improve the patient's ability to verbally communicate.

Considerations

• In order to cope with the cognitive changes that a Parkinson's disease patient experiences, you need to be patient and understanding. Do not dismiss her as being slow or dumb. Instead, remain aware of the changes that are happening and those that may develop in the future, and use some of these strategies to ease the cognitive challenges she faces.