4 Hacks to Carry on Working Even After a Parkinson’s Diagnosis

After being diagnosed with a progressive disease like Parkinson’s, it can be a scary prospect knowing that your condition will inevitably get worse. One of the biggest worries is whether or not you are able to carry on with work – especially if you’re in a career that you enjoy. Keeping your body and mind occupied after diagnosis is a big part of staying positive, so it can be especially disheartening knowing that you may not be able to return to work. Here are a few things you can do to help you stay at work and stay motivated.

Changes at work

It is important if you keep working that you are in an environment that is safe and comfortable. Consider informing your employer about your diagnosis and discuss any changes that can be made to your surroundings. The type of job you have will depend on the changes needed. For example if you work in an office then you could talk to your employer about taking on less physical tasks like typing, by swapping them out for jobs like handling phone calls.

Helping hand

Sometimes the symptoms of Parkinson’s can make things so difficult that it’s almost impossible to complete tasks by yourself. This can make carrying on with work very hard and can knock your confidence. It may be a good idea to talk to your employer about being assessed for an occupational therapist. Having a helping hand at work will allow you to contribute a lot more when times get hard.

Shift changes

As your condition progresses you may notice that your symptoms are worse during certain times of the day. In order to work around this it could be a good idea to arrange different shift patterns. By asking your employer to make changes to your work schedule, you can make sure that you’re more confident and productive during the times you’re at work.

A new direction

Depending on your job and the severity of your symptoms, Parkinson’s can impact your career differently. If you work in a physically demanding job that will be impossible to carry on with, try not to become too disheartened. It could be a chance to take a new path and try something different. Stay positive and look for a new job in which you can still work hard and gain experience.

Find out more about Restore Gold and how it has helped hundreds of people with Parkinson’s improve their quality of life.