Participation in occupations is an
important component to health and is vital for all humans. Through the things
we participate in everyday, we learn skills, socialize, gain satisfaction and
most of all they add a sense of purpose and meaning to our lives. (Law, 2002). But what happens when the things we once
enjoyed and valued in our lives, gets taken away by something out of our
control?
Occupational deprivation refers to
conditions or situations that are out of a person’s control that inhibits the
person participating in occupations. (Christiansen & Townsend, 2010). When
we can’t participate in things that are important and meaningful to us, it is damaging
to our health. The meaning we tie to our occupations, impacts our meaning to
our lives which in turn affects our quality of life, our purpose and our
self-worth (Hammell, 2004). Reduced participation in occupations has many
adverse effects such as isolation, reduced or no active recreation, depression,
that loss of purpose of meaning to life can be detrimental to your physical and
mental wellbeing. (Law, 2002). Loss of
occupations can also bring about a change in life roles, it may be that roles
are lost such as being the provider for the family and the new roles may needed
to be learned or adapted. (Parkinson’s Society, British Columbia, 2013).
Having Parkinson’s disease affects the
occupations they can carry out, depending on the stage the disease is and what
degree their symptoms are at, it can heavily influences what occupations they
can do. Parkinson’s can impact transfers making difficult to begin an occupation,
driving and all activities of daily living due to stiffness and reduced trunk flexibility.
(Aragon & King, 2010). Due to gait and balance problems difficulties such
as taking that initial step for walking, fear of falling and balance, can affect
the type of occupation they can carry out. (Aragon & King, 2010). Fatigue can Affect a person’s endurance and
even motivation to carry out occupations. Fatigue can lead to reduced
participation in occupations that are meaningful and purposeful for a person. (Aragon
& King, 2010). A cognition change
affects the type of occupations they can engage in, speech can even be lost,
affecting communication and leading to isolation of social occupations and
interactions. (Aragon & King, 2010).
Having Parkinson’s disease dramatically
changes the occupations that can be carried out and participated in. This
change in occupations that can be carried out, due to the disease causes loss, occupational
deprivation, and change of life roles.
References:
Aragon, A., & King, J. (2010). Occupational therapy for people with Parkinson’s:
Best practice guidelines. London: College of Occupational therapists.
Christiansen,
C., & Townsend, E. (2010). Introduction
to occupation: The art and science of living. (2ed). New Jersey, United
States of America: Pearson Education Inc.
Hammell,
K. W. (2004). Dimensions of meaning in
the occupations of daily life. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy,
71(5), 296-305
Law, M. (2002). Participation in the
occupations of everyday life, 2002 Distinguished Scholar Lecture. American Journal of Occupational Therapy,
56, 640–649.
Parkinson’s Society, British Columbia. (2013).
Parkinson’s disease. Retrieved from http://www.parkinson.bc.ca/Living-with-Parkinsons
