Disease Care

Here are some tips for making the home more safe and comfortable for a person living with Parkinson's disease.

Preventing falls

• Make sure rugs, including those on stairs, are tacked to the floor. Remove loose throw rugs.
• Be sure that stairwells are well-lit. Have secure handrails along all stairways.
• Keep rooms, hallways and steps free of clutter, including electrical cords.
• Change the location of furniture, so that the person can hold on to something as they move around the house. A person with Parkinson's should not rush - but instead walk slowly and carefully.
• The person should wear low-heeled shoes with non-skid soles. Walking in socks or slippers is not advised.

Eating

• Specially designed eating utensils with padded or built-up handles help facilitate the eating process. When doing meal preparation, a person with Parkinson's should sit at a table or counter in the kitchen, because a seated position provides greater stability than standing.
• When a person is eating, he or she should take small bites of food, chew completely and swallow before taking another bite. If choking or coughing occurs, lean the person forward and keep the chin tipped downward.
• Avoid foods such as crackers or cakes that crumble easily. These can cause choking.
• Take liquids in small sips and hold them in the mouth before swallowing.

Dressing

• Velcro fasteners, pullover tops, stretch waistbands and slip-on shoes make dressing easier.
• When dressing, allow plenty of time so the person doesn't feel rushed. Lay clothes out beforehand.

Showering

• Use a tub/shower bench and a hand-held sprayer in the shower.
• Install safety bars, grab bars or handrails in the shower or bath.
• Put no-stick tape in the tub.
• Use soap-on-a-rope, or a bar of soap in a nylon stocking with one end tied to a towel bar.
• Store often-used supplies in easy-to-reach cabinets.

Recognizing depression

As with any long-term, disabling illness, depression is common in people with Parkinson's. If you observe five of these symptoms most every day, seek help from a medical professional:

• Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much
• Restlessness
• Constant tiredness
• Feelings of worthlessness or overwhelming guilt
• Inability to concentrate, to remember or to make decisions
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Contact us today at 800.445.0459 or e-mail.

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