Re: Bathtubs and Shower Stalls

[Andrew John Conovaloff <80965@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Jack is finding it more difficult to get in and out of the shower
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Jack could exercise to build muscle strength and move more.
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2 years ago my aunt, with PSP a PD+, COULD NOT LIFT HER LEGS
into the tub-shower.  Her live-in CGs did not exercise her
properly. While in the proccess of placing her in a NH,
I rehabed her.  I increased Rx and PT.

At home she does deep knee bends. Butt to the floor while
holding on to a rail in the hall. When she can't flex, I
push down. In the beginning, I had to put all my weight on
her 5'2", 150#, body to bend her knees. She rides a stationary
several times a day.  She has a Schwinn with a heavy flywheel
and no free-wheeling chain drive.
On her back in bed or on the floor, she grabs each knee with
both hands and pulls it to her chest.
On the street or in a store, she walks holding the shopping cart.
We can go a mile a day.

At the gym, she uses every leg machine. She leg presses up to 230#,
normal reps at 150#, and also does leg extensions, hamstrings, etc.
She uses the treadmill.  Then stretches in the hot water spa.

She takes 3,000 mg/day of C/L-dopa now to maintain motion with PSP.



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