Many people with Parkinson's disease are diagnosed toward the end of their working years. Sometimes those last years of work are vitally important for assuring that you:
Vest into your employers pension Save enough in your 401K to assure a secure retirement Finish putting a child through college Keep health insurance benefits in place until you qualify for Medicare
If you need a way to stay in the workforce as long as you reasonably can. Consider the following suggestions.
Keeping PD Out of Your work:
If Parkinson's disease symptoms start to interfere with your work, talk to your doctor about your problems. Check any questions might lead to possible solutions:
Print this list and use it as a discussion tool with your doctor.
Should we consider adding an MAO-B inhibitor like Azilect, Zelapar or Eldepryl? Should we consider adding a dopamine agonist such as the Neupro patch, Requip or Mirapex? Is introducing levodopa therapy early to gain time at work worth losing the benefit later in the disease? Would it help to prescribe sessions with an occupational or physical therapist? Could they teach me exercises that will keep the strength and motion I need for work? I'm having trouble concentrating at work. Can you suggest any helpful strategies? I'm having trouble with balance and walking at work. Do you have any ideas for improving them? I'm having trouble with the motions necessary for completing my tasks at work. Do you have any suggestions for improving my motion? What services can I consider to reduce stress in my life? Am I a candidate for DBS surgery? Could it help me stay on the job longer? My employer must make reasonable accommodations. Can you ask my employer to use my FMLA benefits to give me breaks so that I can rest and recharge?