What do you record in your diary?

Section 1: About Yourself

• How long have you been diagnosed had Parkinson’s?
• What particular symptoms cause you problems? Describe these problems in as many details as you can.
  • Keep daily records of these problems including a number of instances they have occurred?
• Do you work? What kind of work do you do? Does your Parkinson symptom cause you problems at work? In what way?
• Do you live alone or with your family?
  • Detail out who in your family is a stay-at-home member.
• Do you have anyone who can take care of you at home?
  • Detail out who this person is, and how much time this person can devote to take care of you.

Section 2: Movement disorders

• Do you have problems with balance?
  • Do you ever fall, stumble or get stuck? Does this usually happen at particular times or during particular activities?
• Do you experience pain? What kind of pain do you face? Is it muscle cramps or pain in the joints?
• Do you have problems with bathing? What kind of problems do you face?
  • Can you get in and out of the bath or shower without help?
  • Are you able to towel yourself properly, especially your back?
  • Are you able to shave properly without cutting yourself?
  • Are you able to cut your nails effectively or do you need help?
• What problems do you face while dressing or undressing?
  • Do you need help when putting on things like buttons, ear rings, shoes, zips etc?
  • How long does it take for you to get dressed fully?
• Do you use any equipment to help you move around? What equipment do you use?
  • How long does it take for you to perform simple movements?
  • What movements do you find particularly difficult?
  • Do you use the support of furniture, frames, people for support when you move around?
  • Do you need help to turn over in bed at night?
  • Do you need to go to the toilet at night while sleeping? How many times do you go?
  • Do you need help at night to go to the toilet?
  • Do you feel imbalanced at night particularly after lying down and then getting up?
  • Do you have problems getting out of bed? How do you manage this? Do you use any support?
  • In the toilet, do you do you’re your job standing or sitting? What problems do you face?
• Do you face any problem in talking or writing?
  • Has your handwriting changed over time? How difficult is it for you to hold a pen and write?
  • Do you use a mobile phone to communicate with others? How do you send WhatsApp messages or make calls? Are your immediate contacts on speed dial?
  • Do you face problems in voice inflexions or is it in a flat monotone?

Section 3: Your mood

• Do you feel anxious, stressed, depressed? What things make you feel this way?
• Do you have problems in remembering simple things?
• Do you feel understood by your family members? Are they supportive of you?
• What kind of things interests you in life?
• Do you exercise? What kind of exercise do you do?

Section 4: Your treatment

• Do you remember to take your medicines on time?
• What medicines do you take? How often and in what dosage?
• Do you have difficulty in opening the tablet or bottle?
• Do you face any effects of the medicine, any new symptoms that were not there before you started taking medicines?