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Parkinson's Products at Home

A Parkinson's Diagnosis is a big adjustment

Parkinson's Disease Is a Major ADjustment For the family

Parkinson’s disease comes with a host of challenges for both the individual and their caregivers. When your parent is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, decisions regarding their care are often difficult to make. While some individuals do require a nursing care facility, many can live in their own homes with assistance from adaptive devices, furniture, and outpatient medical care.

CONCERNS

and facts

Injuries are common among people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), occurring most often in bedrooms (30%), living areas (19%), and kitchens (15%). People with Parkinson’s disease often fall when they lose their balance either due to muscle weakness, vision impairment, or home hazards, which cause them to trip or stumble.

LIVING

FAMILY AREA ADJUSTMENTS

Take time to widen spaces between objects so that there is plenty of space to navigate.
A common hazard is wires, extension, USB, TV cords, etc. Plug appliances into the nearest outlets and tape cords to the molding along the walls to keep them off of the floor.
Provide chairs with firm backs and raised seat cushions to add height and support to make the sitting down and rising process easier.
A parent with PD has a hard time controlling fine motor skills, which makes turning on lamps and small switches difficult. Consider voice-activated lights with LED bulbs or a Hue system.

FALL CONCERNS

PREVENT COMMON INJURIES

Beds located too far from the bathroom
Cluttered floor space requiring turns and maneuvering to get where the person is going
Narrow entrances to rooms and bathrooms
Inadequate lighting
Beds being too high from floor
Uneven floor surfaces, Carpets or rugs that can be tripped over
Uneven floor surfaces
Lack of handles or assistive devices to help a person turn or sit down

FALL CONCERNS

2. PREVENT COMMON INJURIES

Beds located too far from the bathroom
Cluttered floor space requiring turns and maneuvering to get where the person is going
Narrow entrances to rooms and bathrooms
Inadequate lighting
Beds being too high from floor
Uneven floor surfaces, Carpets or rugs that can be tripped over
Uneven floor surfaces
Lack of handles or assistive devices to help a person turn or sit down

WASHROOM

QUICK BATHROOM HACKS

Just like the chairs, invest in a raised toilet seat and safety rails. A person with PD will reach for whatever is nearby, so those items need to be sturdy enough to prevent a fall.
Remove or modify items that require fine motor skills. Consider adding a long handle faucet extension to the sink.
Water makes everything more slippery! Put down a non-skid bath mat, add grab bars, a transfer bench or shower chair .

THE KITCHEN

KEEP FOOD PREP SAFE

Someone with Parkinson’s disease can have a hard time with balance and standing. Make the kitchen a place your parent can utilize by lowering countertops or enable them to work from a kitchen table.

Some small ease-of-use products that can make a BIG difference are electric can openers, bottle and lid openers, or a basic food processor for cutting up veggies.
A spike board can make chopping and cutting easier without a food processor.

PD CAN BE OVERWHELMING

Parkinson’s Disease can be overwhelming, but fortunately, we offer many products and solutions to assist your parent and keep them safe so they can maintain their independence at home as long as possible. An Occupational Therapist can provide a list of photos of recommended modifications and assistive devices, which you can send to us. We will contact you within 48 hours with a customized action item list specific to your unique needs and situation. Let us help your loved ones age gracefully at home by contacting us now.

Signs Of Memory Loss

As caregivers and concerned family members, we want to make sure our elder loved ones are healthy both physically and mentally. Memory loss is very common amongst older adults, but not a ‘normal’ part of the aging process. We want to identify memory loss early so it can be treated effectively, and in some cases, reversed.

Role Reversal: When Kids Become Caretakers

If you have an aging parent, It’s likely that you’ve already begun to help your parents in ways you’ve never had to before. Maybe you’ve begun to manage paying the bills, driving mom to doctor’s visits, or helping dad out with yard work that he just can’t do anymore. This process of role reversal is called “parentification,” and it describes the dynamic wherein children assume more and more responsibility and control over their parent’s lives, eventually acting as parents to their parents. While confusing and possibly overwhelming, this process is a very common part of aging for older adults and their families.

Alzheimer’s Is Life Altering For The Whole Family

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of Dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that eventually interferes with even the most basic daily living tasks. Changes in behavior and personality may require a person with Alzheimer’s to require round the clock care in a specialized facility.