5 ways to make your home more Parkinson’s friendly and safe

Home is where most people go to relax, revive themselves, and prepare for the upcoming challenges of life. When it comes to creating a comfortable and supportive home for someone with Parkinson’s disease, the challenges are more nuanced.

Suddenly, home not only needs to be a place of restoration, but also a place of support. After my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2013, he made a few changes to his home that included installing grab bars in areas around the bathroom and in the hallway. Over the years, we’ve also learned that the following strategies can make the home more Parkinson’s friendly.

Clear clutter in high-traffic areas. Items like loose rugs, unnecessary furniture, and charging cords can gunk up frequently used paths in the home. Since people with Parkinson’s often navigate freezing while moving around the house, removing stimuli that contribute to this response can be helpful. Dad has a clear and empty path to the parts of the house that he uses most frequently, including the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. This helps us to minimize potential obstacles and fall hazards before they become an issue.

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Make frequently used items more accessible. Thinking about where you can store everyday items like dishes, clothing, and toiletries can help you place them in more convenient locations. Items like medications, water, clothing, and shoes should be easily accessible — not just as a convenience, but as a way to preserve and maintain independence.

Rethink the bathroom. Bathrooms can easily become cluttered and challenging to navigate for someone with Parkinson’s disease. This is one reason why Dad has grab bars and nonslip surfaces in his main bathroom. Some people with Parkinson’s also find that adding a shower chair or bench and a handheld showerhead can help to support comfort in the bathroom. Toiletries can also be kept in easy-access places like a cupboard near the sink, contributing to better organization.

Give yourself somewhere to sit. Depending on the day, Parkinson’s can severely limit mobility and agility. For this reason, it can be helpful to place seats in strategic areas like near the clothing closet or in the kitchen. A stool in the kitchen can help meal prep feel less exhausting. A chair in the bedroom might also make it easier to support easy dressing.

Let technology support you. Technology is evolving at a staggering pace. Today, it’s possible to find voice assistants, automatic lights, voice-controlled plugs, and virtual reminders that can help to support someone with Parkinson’s. We installed a number of voice-controlled lights and plugs in Dad’s bedroom and living room to support his comfort.

What tips have you found helpful? Please share in the comments below. 

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.