Some days it seems the only treat you get is a tootsie pop from the teller at the bank’s drive through window. And that only if she thinks it was a child whining when she mistakenly hears you as you deposit your SSI check that barely covers your rent. Don’t whine. There is good news…
I have uncovered some great resources that are free, cheap, or worth putting on your Christmas wish list (Costco already has their Christmas stuff in-house).
Free: Brain games on AARP site are not only fun, but helpful to those with brain impairments and we qualify. Check out http://www.aarp.org/health/brain-health/brain_games/ and strengthen your brain muscles or click on the games below:
The Right Word
Train your brain to remember words quickly and effortlessly. Go
Split Words
Keep your language and attention skills in shape with this puzzle. Go
The Squeaking Mouse
Boost your memory by matching an animal’s call with its image. Go
Secret Files
Improve your attention and organizational skills with this challenge. Go
Decipher
Work your brain by cracking encrypted quotations. Go
Now, another helpful and practical gadget that is also free… I actually got this from my doctor (so this may be old hat to some of you) when I told him I’ve given up shoe laces because my fingers don’t want to move right. While you’re watching TV, get a button up shirt with lots of buttons on it and with it on your lap, begin to practice buttoning and unbuttoning all the little buttons a few times. Then, turn it upside down and do it the opposite way. This will help to keep your finger muscles strong, not as stiff, and more useful.
And for those of you who struggle with stiffness in the neck and shoulders and subsequently might suffer from headaches because of it, my husband was given a small hand held, battery operated electronic muscle stimulator. I have been using this for my neck and back when I get one of my unwelcome headaches that are usually associated with the stiffness and it really helps more than anything else I have found. The brand I have is Omron but I have seen similar devices in other brands.
If you have a gadget or something you’ve found that is useful in making living with PD a little more bearable, let us know!
