New technology to help Parkinson’s patients makes me hopeful

Technology can be challenging to navigate, even for someone like me who grew up as it emerged. However, I’ll be the first to admit that it typically makes my life better.

Back in the early 2000s, my dad, who has Parkinson’s disease, kept track of all his appointments using a physical planner. It was always black and packed full of important notes. Now, most of us use the calendar app and to-do lists on our phones to highlight pressing tasks. Technology has become deeply intertwined in the fabric of our lives, whether we like it or not.

When it comes to Parkinson’s, I believe technology can also support a better quality of life. For example, my dad started using the speech-to-text feature on his phone a few years ago. It’s allowed him to text all of his kids every morning without requiring dexterity from his hands. We also set up a few rooms in his house to connect to Siri, enabling him to do things like turn the lights on and off without using his hands and get a weather report on demand.

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I’ve also read that some people in the Parkinson’s community benefit from the following types of technology:

Speech therapy apps: One common symptom among people with Parkinson’s is the loss of speech volume and clarity. Apps, like Speak Up and DAF Professional, are available to help strengthen speaking muscles for improved communication.

Smart canes and walkers: Some people use smart canes and walkers that can perform tasks like detecting obstacles and falls.

Wearable sensors: As an athlete, I’ve been using smartwatches and fitness trackers for about a decade, and I love having regular insight into my sleep, performance, and recovery habits. There are also wearable sensors specifically for Parkinson’s, such as the Parkinson’s Kinetigraph (PKG) watch, which tracks motor symptoms like tremors and involuntary movements.

At one point, I considered equipping my dad with an Apple phone and watch since both can detect falls and notify emergency personnel. However, we decided against it because he doesn’t want to give up his current phone system. Still, I believe that Apple could provide helpful support for him were he open to it.

As my dad’s Parkinson’s symptoms continue to change, I like the idea of leveraging technology to make his life easier and more comfortable. While I don’t think that all the devices out there will make a significant difference, I believe exploration and experimentation are important. Hopefully, he’ll be receptive to introducing more devices and technological tools into his life.

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.