Dining out can pose some unique challenges for seniors with Parkinson’s. With a little help from conscientious caregivers, seniors can still eat at restaurants and enjoy a high quality of life. Here are a few tips on eating out with seniors who have Parkinson’s.
Choose a Wheelchair-Accessible Restaurant
If you’re going to a new restaurant, call beforehand to make sure it’s equipped with appropriate bathroom facilities and accessible seating. You may also want to inquire whether the food is served at the table or buffet style. Preparation is one of the best ways to ensure your senior loved one has a safe, fun dining experience.
A professional caregiver can assist your loved one when going on outings. Homecare experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently.
Dine at the Right Time
When eating out with a senior with Parkinson’s, avoid peak dining times. If your loved one uses a wheelchair, going when the restaurant isn’t busy provides more space to move around. It also ensures the staff has enough time to meet your dining party’s specific needs.
Ask about Parking
When accompanying seniors who use wheelchairs or mobility devices, caregivers should make sure there’s accessible parking nearby. Call the restaurant, inquire about the available parking, and ask whether they have a parking lot. If street parking is the only available option, ask whether the street has curb cuts, which make it easier to use wheelchairs. You should also ask which entryway to use.
Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one needs transportation to social events or assistance with daily activities. Northern Kentucky home care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, home care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.
Find Out about Seating Arrangements
Many seniors with Parkinson’s have certain dining preferences. If they use wheelchairs, they should consider dining at restaurants that have tables with a height of 28 inches or more. Seniors who don’t use wheelchairs may prefer to sit in a chair with armrests. This gives them a place to rest their hands and makes it easier to rise from the chair without assistance. When making reservations, make sure to ask for all the necessary accommodations.
Get Assistance from the Staff
There are many things the restaurant staff can do to make the dining experience more pleasurable for seniors with Parkinson’s. When your loved one places an order, the waiter should allow ample time for him or her to speak. Some seniors may need a pen and paper to communicate. The restaurant should be considerate of this need and provide a pad and writing tool if necessary.
The restaurant staff should also be willing to make accommodations regarding food and beverages. For instance, if your loved one orders a meat dish, ask the staff to cut it for him or her before serving it. To minimize spilling, ask the waiter to fill cups halfway rather than all the way to the brim. Bendable straws are also useful for preventing spills.
Aging in place can present a few unique challenges for older adults. Some only require part-time assistance with exercise or meal preparation, while others are living with serious illnesses and benefit more significantly from receiving more extensive home care. Northern Kentucky, Assisting Hands Home Care of Northern Kentucky are leaders in the senior in-home care industry for good reason. We tailor our care plans based on each senior’s individual needs, our caregivers continue to receive updated training in senior care as new developments arise, and we also offer comprehensive care for seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s. Whether your parent needs minor help with daily tasks or extensive 24-hour care, give us a call at (859)-444-5699 today.
