There is nothing to love about falls in Parkinson’s disease
About 60% of people with Parkinson's disease fall every year
“Parkinson’s is like falling in love — without the love.”
I saw this quote on social media a few months ago, and it made me chuckle. I thought it would be good to share with you this Valentine’s Day, as I’ve been thinking about falls quite a bit lately. Our farmyard is terrifyingly slippery due to ice buildup from this exceptionally endless winter we’ve been having here in Ontario, Canada. I don’t want to fall.
Having a fall could be life-changing, and not in a good way, as winning the lottery would be. About 60% of people with Parkinson’s disease fall every year. There are a variety of reasons why we fall: We have postural instability, gait issues, we freeze, we may have vision issues (one of my friends involuntarily closes his eyes as a side effect of his medication), we have balance problems, and the list goes on. Personally, I know I often zig left when I should be zagging right. Frequently, I’ll walk into our pantry, which is a tight space that’s extra crowded with the vacuum cleaner hose, and to get out of it, I’ll have to do some mental gymnastics to avoid falling.
So far, I’ve been lucky. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve fallen since my Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2015. Once, it was because our cat Rosie tripped me; another time, it was because of my ridiculously low blood pressure; and the last time, I was attempting to ice skate for the first time in years. I’m sure many of you can relate to having unexpected falls.
There are a few things we can all do to help prevent falls. A friend gave me a hot tip when I told her I was worried about falling down the stairs, especially when I was carrying a laundry basket. She suggested that I use a laundry bag rather than a laundry basket, and I could just toss the bag down the stairs. This simple yet effective advice has been life-changing in a good way.
There are other ways we can improve our balance and stability, and in my opinion, our mood and outlook on life, too. We can exercise, of course! Yoga and tai chi are both good for balance, and I’ve found boxing for people with Parkinson’s to be very beneficial.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, “People with [Parkinson’s] who exercise regularly can move more normally than those who do not. Studies show moderate to high-level intensity exercise may be neuroprotective.”
The Michael J. Fox Foundation also has some good, practical tips for fall prevention, such as taking your time going from sitting to standing, using mats in the bathtub and shower so you don’t slip, and avoiding multitasking while walking. Yes, I think walking and talking is multitasking. Don’t get me started on cellphones and smartwatches. The other day, I just about walked into a moving car because I wanted to check my current heart rate on my new smartwatch.
How are you celebrating Valentine’s Day? I hope you’re going for a nice, brisk walk (on a dry surface) to get your heart rate up and maybe gift yourself a laundry bag. I’d love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have for fall prevention. 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.
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Mary Riga
Falls are frightening and not always have the best outcome.Shoes are important and no mats in the house.All the best from Europe
Christine Scheer
Hi Mary,
You are right! Shoes are especially important now. Don't shlep around the house in slippers (like I sometimes do), just make the effort to put on good shoes.
Thanks for reading and commenting,
Christine
Ruth Geiser
For the first 37 years into my Parkinson's, falls were not a threat. I started early, in the 1980 ies, was diagnosed in February 1984, responded well to the usual medication and was able to work for another twenty years aftrer diagnosis.
It started after an operation. I got a knee replacement in 2021 and afterwards the falls started happening on a daily basis.
I think it must have been the anaesthetics that it got worse so drastically.
I still feel safe on stairs, but I cannot walk in open spaces or large rooms without risking a fall. Ambulators tend to fall on top of me, walking sticks or canes are no help either. So I try to move carefully indoors and use my wheelchair outside.
I must say. being prone to falls changed my life more than anything else and made me dependend on others whenever I go out.
But I am still proud of myself having managed to live with PD for more than 40 years and still being curious and always wake up in good mood.
ruth from Switzerland
Christine Scheer
Hi Ruth,
You are amazing! I love your attitude, thank you so much for sharing.
All my best,
Christine
Flemming Lindblad
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 79, fortunate that it was late enough in life to give the disease less time to develop. My issue is balance and I have fallen at least 20 time in the intervening 5 years. I have fallen outside, on the sidewalk, on a parking lot, and stone stairs as well as inside the house. I have been so fortunate not to have broken any bones, a cracked tailbone only which heals itself over a few weeks without any treatment
I had a bad fall in March of last year; resulting in 7 weeks in a hospital bed at home which left me unable to do anything, not even to roll over.It did not look good for recovery but I did with the help of a physiotherapist twice a week and a PSW twice a day. That therapy is ongoing and my legs are stronger than ever. I am now using a walker or a cane at all times although at this point I have recovered my balance to the extent I can ,mostly , walk without any equipment but I have it closely with me at all times.
It was the use of a " Cubii " which has been the most effective use of recovering my balance. A Cubii is a short, heavy device with two big pedals, and to use it you sit on a chair and pedal away, somewhat like riding a bike. You can adjust the tension and, of course, the amount of time for each session. I can highly recommend the use of this device or something similar if your condition can benefit from it.
My neurologist is delighted that I have been able to recover as much as I have and he thinks that neuroplasticity may have been a factor. Of course my condition has not gone away and I have to be very careful with the mobility I do have.
Thanks to the Canadian health care system I have not had to pay for any treatment, nor for my few hospital stays.
I hope my experience helps you.
Christine Scheer
Hi Flemming,
It sounds like you are doing a great job of fighting your Parkinson's! Way to go. Good information about the cubii device as well.
And yes, we are lucky here in Canada to have many health care expenses covered!
All my best, thanks for reading,
Christine
Jim C Smedley
I fall multiple of times daily, except yesterday I didn't. I wear pads on both knees, pads for my hips and buttocks and pads on my elbows. i wish I didn't fall as often as I do but it ha sbecome almost an every day effect of my dealings with Parknson's. Do you know of anyone else who falls thos mujch??
Tony BATTAGLIA
hi there, i have had Parkinson’s disease since 2015 and I am 66 years old and am fully entrenched in the stage three of the disease, but I am convinced that exercise can greatly reduce the amount of falls I have, so may i fully recommend that everyone with the disease get involved with exercise to the best of their ability, My week’s routine includes 3 x Personal training sessions, 1x hydrotherapy, two days of a one hour session of exercise with organisations that specialise with Parkinson’s disease treatment.
Judy Vasalinda
Wonderful article!
I’m in a wheelchair now due to many falls. I wish that I had kept a count. I fell 5 times in one day! God must have me wrapped in bubble wrap! I have never had a serious injury. I have a new pt working with me and I’m confident that he will have me walking, probably with a walker but I’m not complaining!
Sam Buchanan
I am 75 years old as of yesterday and have I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about a year and a half ago. I have found that I do much better if I start to fall and just relax. I try to keep my head from getting a boink but other than that relaxing is the best for me. I pretty much stay off ladders now but my grandson and I have modified our deer stand with an aircraft cable that goes up the middle of the ladder up to the tree and is caught off at the bottom. I use a cable clamp to ride up and down the cable like a power lineman Would use. My harness is tied to the clamp. Sometimes we just have to modify things to make them safer.
Diane Kile
I’ve been falling once a week lately. I’m not afraid to fall but I don’t like it. I’ve been lucky not to have broken any bones yet. I usually have a three point landing on my knee ( which was replaced before my Parkinson’s dx) hip and elbow. I just ordered knee pads and elbow pads to lessen my bruises and hopefully some of the pain. I exercise 2 days a week working on strength and balance and I go to a fantastic movement class: Mark Morris dance for Parkinson’s patients. I also go to PT once or twice a week for cranial sacral work as well as more work on Parkinson’s and balance to prevent falls. Any suggestions are welcome. I need all the help I can get.
Debbie MacGregor
Before I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s I spent about 9 months falling, fortunately all but one fall at home. On one occasion I fell one night, went to the hospital and was discharged in the morning and that night I fell again, went to the hospital and the doctor who came to see me was the same doctor that discharged me that morning. All that time and the several doctors I saw, no one suspected anything. It was a nighttime doctor (after another fall) who asked me several questions and declared that I had Parkinson’s. After moving into a nursing home I began getting treatment, and started researching online. I had been having symptoms for about 10 years prior to the diagnosis, and all the doctors and medications and “I don’t knows” left me feeling angry.
Jane Hawkanson
Hi! We live on Maryland at a continuing care community, so thankfully don't contend with ice often. Back in our townhouse, I bought these for my husband (Parkinson's) and me: YAKTRAX. They fit on your shoes and give you instant traction. I haven't tried a brisk walk but they seem infallible on ice.
Yaktrax.com or I believe Amazon has them. Hiking or outdoor stores or places that sell serious snow boots may carry them or a competitor.
Good luck! Stay on your feet!
Marcy D Garb
I have found that wearing hiking boots (that go up to just above the ankle) instead of shoes greatly improves my balance.
Maybe some of you will find it helpful, too.
Mark
Exercise, Exercise and more Exercise!!! I Promise it will help
I've been doing 6 to 10 hours a week for about 4 seems to help me a lot
Shirley Gillespie
I would love to read more of your stories about Parkinson’s. I am the partner of my husband who has had Parkinson’s for over 20 years
K N Singh
I am a PD patient since 2018 I wish to join suggestion
discussions of patient of this planet for recovery from disease. K N Singh New Delhi India.