Parkinson's Disease: At Home With Parkinson's: Adapting Your Environment

Effects from Parkinson’s disease, such as fatigue and difficulties getting around, can make activities of daily living -- including leisure activities -- more difficult for people with Parkinson's disease. The following tips will help you learn to function independently and successfully in your home.

Fatigue and difficulties getting around can make activities of daily living -- including leisure activities -- more difficult for people with Parkinson's disease. The following tips will help you learn to function independently and successfully in your home.

General Safety Guidelines:

• Have emergency numbers (police, fire, poison control, and a neighbor's phone number) readily available in case of emergency. One idea is to write these numbers on a sticker and put it on all phone receivers.
• Have at least one phone located where it is always accessible. Keep a cordless phone in your pocket at all times. This is especially important if you fall and can't get up to use the phone.
• Make sure smoke detectors work properly.
• Avoid the use of space heaters and electric blankets; these are fire hazards.

How Can Assistive Devices and Adaptive Equipment Help?

Along with appropriate medications, exercise, and other management techniques, adaptive equipment can help you maintain your independence. An occupational therapist or rehabilitation specialist can recommend a variety of assistive devices that are designed to make home care and daily activities more comfortable. Some examples include:

• Built-up utensils
• Grab bars
• Reacher devices
• Electric beds or mattresses
• Sliding boards
• Wheelchairs

How Can I Adapt My Home to Make It Easier to Live In?

Following is a list of the most common recommendations that can help people with Parkinson's disease adapt their home to meet daily challenges.

Note: Not all of these recommendations may benefit your personal situation. Your occupational therapist or rehabilitation specialist can help determine which of these recommendations are best for you.

Tips for Adapting your living room and bedrooms:

• To give yourself plenty of space to move around in, place furniture with wide spaces in between.
• If possible, arrange furniture so outlets are available for lamps and appliances without the need for extension cords. If extension cords are used, make sure they are secured with tape and out of the way so you don't trip on them.
• Use chairs with straight backs, armrests, and firm seats, this will make it much easier for you to get up and sit down. Add firm cushions to existing pieces to add height and make it easier to move.
• Invest in touchable lamps or those that react to sound.
• Adapt your phone by changing the small buttons to larger push buttons to ease dialing. Have frequently called numbers entered into speed dial.
• Install handrails along walls, hallways and stairwells where there is nothing to hold on to.
• Objects such as a stationary pole or "trapeze" bar can be installed if you have difficulty getting out of bed.
• If you have a lot of difficulty getting in and out of bed, try sleeping in a reclining chair.