6 Ways to Help Managing Parkinson’s Disease at Home

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

Parkinson's disease can come with an array of symptoms, including tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movements, balance issues, fatigue and cognitive changes. These challenges can make daily tasks more difficult and can be daunting for someone living with PD—or for those who have loved ones that have been diagnosed.

But with the right adjustments, it’s possible to make the condition more manageable at home and to even ease some of the symptoms. Here are a few things to consider.

1. Minimize potential hazards in your living environment

People with Parkinson's Disease can experience issues with balance, which can lead to falls and mobility issues. Thus, it’s important to minimize tripping hazards at home. Here are a few ways to help make your home safer:

Remove clutter that could be considered a tripping hazard. This includes electrical cords and rugs that aren't properly secured with anti-slip pads.
Switch to non-slip bath mats in the shower.
Make sure the furniture in the room is sturdy and doesn’t easily tip. If not, secure it to the floor or wall or consider replacing it.
Rearrange furniture, if needed, to create wider walking pathways for easy access from room to room.
Install good lighting throughout the house for optimal visibility when moving around.

2. Make things accessible

In addition to making it easier to navigate from room to room, there are modifications you can make to specific areas of the home that can help make day to day tasks easier for those with PD.

Some examples include:

Use chairs with armrests that offer support when switching from sitting to standing.
Install elevated toilets that don't involve having to crouch down as low for use.
Consider installing rails in hallways for assistance when walking and bars in the bathroom for getting off the toilet and in and out of the shower.
Stair lifts can make it easier to get from one floor to the next in the event that stairs become challenging.
Store frequently used items in lower cabinets so they are easier to access.
Use slippery sheets, like silk on the bed to make turning over easier.
Adjust the bed level so that your feet are comfortably resting on the floor when sitting on it for ease of getting on and off.

3. Engage in regular exercise

When you have PD, staying active can go a long way in helping you feel your best. Exercise and physical activity have been shown to help people with Parkinson's maintain and improve mobility, flexibility and balance. It’s also been linked to alleviating some non-motor PD symptoms like constipation or depression. It may also help to protect brain health. The following types of exercise may help:

Aerobic activity
Yoga and tai chi
Stretching
Balance, agility and multitasking
Strength training

There are also workout classes across the country designed for people with Parkinson’s Disease. To find one in your area, call 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) or email Helpline@parkinson.org.

4. Focus on diet and hydration

Doctors don’t currently prescribe a specific Parkinson’s Disease diet; experts recommend incorporating the following into your diet to improve your overall health:

Whole grains
Vegetables
Fruits
Protein-rich foods
Nuts
Olive oil
Fish
Eggs

The body needs water to run efficiently and people with Parkinson’s should make sure to stay properly hydrated in order to feel their best. Keep a water bottle next to you throughout the day to make getting a sip of water easier. Men should aim for 15 cups of water per day and women around 11 cups per day, on average.

5. Embrace technology

Thanks to modern advances, there are many products on the market that can help make things easier at home for people with Parkinson’s Disease. Some tools can include:

Voice-controlled smart assistants (like Alexa or Google Home)
Motility aids, like a rollator, walker or cane
Adaptive utensils to make dining easier
Recreation and leisure aids, such as audiobooks, cardholders and adaptive gaming
Automatic pill dispensers to ensure medications are taken at the right time
Fall detection devices and medical alert systems for emergency response
Bathing and grooming tech, like an electric razor and electric toothbrush
Electric can openers, button hooks and other adaptive tools to assist with fine motor tasks

6. Surround yourself with support

Living with Parkinson’s or having a loved one who has Parkinson’s can come with an emotional toll. Surrounding yourself or your loved one with a support system can help, whether that’s scheduling regular check-ins with family, friends, neighbors, members of your faith community or therapists. If things get hard to bear on your own, seek out the help of a therapist who specializes in working with patients with conditions like PD.

You can also join a support group. The Parkinson’s Foundation has a forum where you can ask questions called PD Conversations. They have free community events like workout classes called Mindfulness Mondays and Fitness Fridays and you can call their helpline, 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-463), for info on local support groups in your area.

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