Day-to-day activities, like grocery shopping, can be a challenge when Parkinson's disease kicks in. You can finish more chores by simplifying things, and you will also conserve energy.
Using adaptive or assistive equipment can make a chore easier to complete. Or, look for ways to omit some of the steps involved in the chore, but do not take shortcuts; you could harm yourself or not get the chore completed correctly.
Take a look at how shop for and put away groceries:
- Plan ahead or at least be flexible. Shop at your best time of the day when your meds are on and you have nothing else vying for your time. You do not want to expend rushing around the grocery store, thinking about the appointment for which you are running late. Nor do you want to have tremors or dyskinesia while shopping and then unloading your car.
- Pay attention to how you bag your groceries. All items that need refrigeration should be together. Cleaning products should be in a separate bag.
- Take note of and bag together items that can be left in the car for a short time. You may not be able to unload all your bags from your car at the same time.
- Be realistic about and aware of your limitations. Ask for help if needed.
- Taking too many bags in at one time can cause fatigue, or you may injure yourself or drop your groceries on the ground.
- Be good to your body. Do not lift with your back. Lift with your legs.
- Getting rid of clutter and items you no longer use on a regular basis provides more cabinet space. Items frequently used should be on the most accessible shelves.
- Items infrequently used can be placed on higher shelves. Use assistive equipment like a “reacher” to access items on the higher shelves.
- Review in your mind how successfully grocery shopped while conserving energy.
