Tips for Making a Parkinson's Friendly Home

There is definitely no doubt that Parkinson’s disease is a very common illness that has affected millions of people around the world. In fact, statistics from the Parkinson’s Foundation states that there are an estimated 1 million people in America who have Parkinson’s disease today. Also, 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with it annually. On a global scale, there are already over 10 million people over the age of 50 that have Parkinson’s disease. To make matters worse, there is a lingering 4% of people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease even before 50, which makes it now susceptible even to those slightly below their senior years.

The figures alone can illustrate how common the disease is and how it can be possible for anyone to get it. While it is already bad that anyone above 45 can get the disease, living with it uncomfortably makes it all worse. If one has a relative or a loved one who suffers from the disease, the first thing that he or she will most probably want to know is how to make it easier for them, whether it be improving their mobility around the house or creating a more comfortable environment to help them cope with their symptoms. Fortunately, there are ways to make a home Parkinson disease friendly. All it takes is a little bit of effort and a lot of patience on the part of the caregiver.

A concern for safety

One of the biggest concerns that most caregivers have when aiding their loved ones who have the disease is safety. Since Parkinson’s disease attacks the entire nervous system of the patient, his or her overall body movement are also affected. First, the patient will start to experience stiffness in their joints followed by light tremors. Eventually, the stiffness will worsen and the tremors may become stronger.

If by any chance, the patient experiences stiffness while doing his or her daily routine, then he or she might just get into an accident due to their limited movement. For example, if the patient is trying to get out of the tub when all of a sudden, her leg gives way, then he or she might slip and fall down. This is why caretakers must install certain devices in the house that can help the Parkinson’s disease patient move even if he or she experiences a lapse out of nowhere.

Hiring an Occupational Therapist

One of the first things to consider doing is to seek the help of an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists will not only teach the patient various strategies to make daily routines easier, but they will also advise the family members or caregivers on the necessary adjustments to make in the house. Thus, the moment that a family member is already diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, then one of the first things to do is to hire an occupational therapist to help make certain decisions.

Here are some of the most practical changes that one can make in the house based on most occupational therapists’ recommendations.