Introduction: The authors provide day services specifically for people with Parkinson's disease and develop community support. This service program follows the characteristics of Parkinson's disease produced by occupational therapists (OTs). However, under the current long-term care insurance in Japan, the use of this service starts from Hoehn-Yahr stage (HYS) 3. Our program focuses on leisure activities with the objective of increasing life satisfaction at home.
Objectives:The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of leisure activities on life satisfaction at home with three people with Parkinson's disease at home.
Approach: The participants were A (62 yr old female,) had been diagnosed 10 years, HYS 3, B (72 yr old female) had been diagnosed 8 years, HYS 3 and C (73 yr old female), had been diagnosed 12 years, HYS 3. The purpose of this study was explained in writing and orally, and written consent was obtained. OT each conducted a semi-structured interview with the participant for approximately 60 minutes about leisure activities, recorded the audio, and text-mined the audio.
Result: A had expanded leisure activities, symptoms were stable, and life satisfaction was high. B maintained leisure activities and had high life satisfaction despite advanced symptoms. C had interrupted leisure activities, and although her symptoms were stable, she had low life satisfaction. A and B had greater family support and C had less.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that environmental factors of family support influence life satisfaction of leisure activities of Parkinson's disease people at home.