When someone you love is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, their home should be a safe, supportive environment that helps them maintain independence and manage daily challenges.
Unfortunately, as Parkinson’s progresses, it can affect mobility, balance, and their ability to perform everyday tasks. Because of this, it’s important to make thoughtful adaptations to their living space. Doing so can significantly improve their quality of life – and reduce the risk of accidents.
What can you do? Here’s a guide to home modifications that can help your loved one live more comfortably with Parkinson’s.
Seek Out Local Resources That May Be Available to You
Your own experience with available local resources will differ based on your actual location, obviously, but you may be surprised by what you didn’t know was out there.
Tips from Real People
“I called my local ‘home health and community care services’ program for resources for my father with Parkinson’s. They sent out an occupational therapist to give suggestions for making his home more accessible and referred us to a medical device rental company to try some items out for free (bed rail, toilet arms, grab bars etc).”
Other potential options to fund home modifications include:
Department of Veterans Affairs. If the person suffering from Parkinson’s is a service member or veteran, there are a number of grants available.
- HISA Grant (Home Improvements and Structural Alterations). Available for accessibility updates and other home improvements that are deemed medically necessary.
- Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant. If you plan to buy, build, or change a home, this grant offers funding to help you modify it. For fiscal year 2024 (ending September 30), recipients can get up to $117,014.
- Special Home Adaptation (SHA) Grant. If you or a family member plan to buy, build, or change a home, this grant offers funding to help you modify it. For fiscal year 2024 (ending September 30), recipients can get up to $23,444.
- Temporary Residence Adaptation (TRA) Grant. This is an interesting one. If you qualify to receive an SAH or SHA grant but are temporarily living in a family member’s home, the TRA grant allows you to modify their home for up to $47,130.
HCBS Waivers. Offered through Medicaid to cover a wide array of devices, equipment, and technology.
Parkinson’s Wellness Fund. This fund offers financial assistance for all kinds of Parkinson’s needs, including home modifications. However, there is currently a long waiting list for those who apply.
Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps. Though AmeriCorps is probably not the first place you would think of to get help with funding Parkinson’s home modifications, this program helps individuals with disabilities by modifying existing homes or building new ones.
These are not the only programs out there. Nerdwallet has a pretty thorough list of home modification grants and loans that they update fairly regularly. However, it is worth noting that this list is for people with disabilities in general, not specific to Parkinson’s
Tips from Real People
“I would ask his doctor to help you get an OT [occupational therapist] evaluation to make his home as safe and functional as it can be. This is the kind of stuff that OTs specialize in helping with.”
Improve General Accessibility Throughout the Home
Accessibility is key to ensuring your loved one can move around their living space safely and with greater ease. Consider making these changes:
Widen Doorways. Particularly if your loved one uses a walker or wheelchair, widening doorways can make it easier for them to navigate between rooms.
Install Ramps and Stairlifts. Installing ramps at entryways and stairlifts for multi-level homes can help eliminate barriers that may otherwise limit mobility.
Remove Clutter. Many Parkinson’s patients suffer from “postural instability,” a fancy way of saying they are more likely to lose their balance and grow less coordinated. Keeping pathways clear of clutter, including loose rugs, electrical cords, and unnecessary furniture, is an inexpensive way to reduce their risk of tripping and falling.
Choose Stable Furniture. Make sure the furniture has sturdy armrests that can provide support when they sit down or stand up. And definitely avoid furniture with wheels or unstable bases that could tip over.
Carefully Select Flooring. You want to opt for slip-resistant flooring materials, such as carpet with a low pile or vinyl, and remove or secure loose rugs.
Buy Chairs with Higher Seats. Chairs with higher, firmer seats will be easier for your loved one to get in and out of without straining.
Focus on Safety and Comfort in Bathrooms
The bathroom is one of the most important areas to modify, because it presents a high risk for slips and falls. These recommendations will help you make it safer without spending a lot of money:
Add Grab Bars. Install grab bars near the toilet, shower, and bathtub to provide support when your loved one is getting in and out of these areas.
Get Non-Slip Mats. Place non-slip mats inside and outside the shower or bathtub to prevent them from slipping on wet surfaces.
Use Shower Chairs. A shower chair allows your loved one to sit while bathing, reducing the risk of falls and making the process less tiring.
Raise the Toilet Seat. Raised toilet seats can be purchased for less than $50 and make it easier for your loved one to sit down and stand up without straining their muscles.
Make Meal Prep Easier
The kitchen can be a challenging space for someone with Parkinson’s due to the need for fine motor skills and balance. Consider these relatively simple adaptations:
Keep Items in Easy Reach. Parkinson’s can sometimes make reaching or bending difficult. Because of this, it’s wise to store frequently used items in easily accessible locations, such as lower shelves or on countertops.
Set Up Lever Faucets. One of the most common Parkinson’s symptoms is hand tremors. This can make operating traditional turn faucets difficult. Lever handles are far easier to navigate for someone with limited dexterity.
Utilize Anti-Scald Devices. Install anti-scald devices on faucets to prevent accidental burns, which can be a risk when fine motor control is compromised.
Switch to Lightweight Cookware. Use lightweight, ergonomic pots, pans, and utensils to reduce the effort required for meal preparation.
Minimize Bedroom Dangers to Maximize Rest
A restful night’s sleep is essential for managing Parkinson’s symptoms. Here’s how to create a safe and comfortable bedroom environment:
Try Bed Rails. Installing bed rails can prevent falls during the night and provide support when getting in and out of bed.
Invest in an Adjustable Bed. An adjustable bed can help your loved one find a comfortable sleeping position and make it easier to get up in the morning.
Clear Pathways. Ensure there’s a clear path from the bed to the bathroom, and consider adding motion-sensor nightlights to illuminate the way at night.
Remove Closet Frustrations. Lowering closet rods and organizing clothing in easy-to-reach areas can make dressing easier and less frustrating for someone with Parkinson’s.
Satin Sheets or Pijamas — But Not Both. If you’re like a lot of people with Parkinson’s you may find yourself struggling to turn over in bed. Satin can help to reduce friction and make this easier, but you want to make sure you choose either satin sheets or satin pijamas — use both and you might find yourself slipping too easily out of bed.
Aim for Calm and Organization
Parkinson’s can affect cognitive function, leading to difficulties with memory and concentration. A calm, organized environment can help. What can you do to assist with this?
Organize, organize, organize. Keep rooms and storage areas well-organized, with clear labels on drawers and cabinets to make finding items easier.
Reduce Noise and Distractions. Minimize background noise and distractions, particularly in spaces where your loved one needs to focus, such as the kitchen or office.
Encourage Routine and Structure. Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of stability and make it easier for your loved one to manage their day.
Embrace Technology Designed to Simplify, Streamline, and Keep Them Safe
Technology can play a significant role in helping your loved one maintain independence.
Consider a Medical Alert System. Consider installing a medical alert system that allows your loved one to call for help quickly in case of an emergency.
Look Into Voice-Activated Assistants. Devices like smart speakers can help with reminders, control lighting, and even make phone calls. These are things that can be particularly useful for those with limited mobility or dexterity.
Incorporate Smart Home Devices. Automated lighting, thermostats, and door locks can be controlled with a smartphone or voice command, making daily tasks easier and safer.
Find Ways to Let Them Keep Computing. There are a variety of computer adaptations which can help someone with Parkinson’s. Before you buy new devices, however, look into changes you can make with existing technology.
Simply by adjusting settings, mouse speeds can be slowed down and the pointer made more visible. Double-click speed can also be slowed, and clicks can be automated. The sensitivity on touchscreen devices can be adjusted to prevent mistakes. Many devices also now have voice control technology built-in, so there are many things people can do without using their hands and arms at all.
If adjusting settings and using alternative input options isn’t enough, there are specific computer devices made with Parkinson’s in mind, such as keyboards with keys four times the usual size to make typing easier, and mouse software that minimizes cursor movements that may be caused by tremors.
Adapting your loved one’s home to meet the challenges of Parkinson’s disease is an essential step in helping them maintain their independence and quality of life. These changes, combined with ongoing medical care and emotional support, can make a significant difference in their ability to live well with Parkinson’s.
