5 ways to support employees with Parkinson’s disease
According to The Parkinson’s Foundation, an estimated 1.1 million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease. This neurodegenerative disorder affects neurons in a specific area of the brain and can cause tremors, slowness of movement, limb stiffness or tightness, and gait and balance problems.
It's a disease that can impact almost every aspect of life, including time spent at the office. When it comes to accommodating complex diseases and conditions like Parkinson's disease, employers need to be proactive. If proactive measures aren't taken, it can negatively impact the employee and your business.
How you can help employees living and working with Parkinson's
According to the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, these are some of the ways you can help employees working with Parkinson's.
1.
Encourage health care advocacy.
Encourage and empower your employees to play an active part in their health by developing relationships with their providers, asking questions and understanding their health plan. To see health care advocacy in action, Wellmark member, Judi Weiland's story is a great example of standing up for her own health and living her best life possible after a Parkinson's disease diagnosis.
2.
Make it easier to talk about Parkinson's.
Provide information and training to employees (at least managers) about how to talk to someone with Parkinson's disease, the different symptoms and various accommodations. This can help make your employees feel more comfortable disclosing their diagnosis.
3.
Offer flexibility.
When possible, offer flexible work schedules, break times and remote work opportunities to help employees manage their symptoms and maintain productivity.
4.
Support healthy hydration.
Staying hydrated is important to managing Parkinson’s symptoms. But symptoms such as stiffness, slow movement and tremors can make drinking more difficult. Help make hydration easier by keeping water, lightweight paper cups and straws available throughout the building.
5.
Make tasks easier to manage.
To combat the cognitive effects of Parkinson’s, which may include finding it harder to focus on multiple projects at once, some employees may benefit from an alternative schedule and written instructions.
Living with Parkinson's disease: Judi's story
Empower employees with the right tools
As your company’s HR or benefits administrator, you have a knack for helping and educating your employees on becoming savvy health care consumers. Fortunately, companies that offer Wellmark coverage also offer their employees the tools and resources they need to help manage their conditions, monitor claims and find top centers for specialty care.
With myWellmark®, you can have confidence in your employees’ knowledge of their health coverage, leading to fewer questions, calls and emails about health insurance.
If they haven’t done so already, encourage your employees to register for myWellmark.