How To Make An Elder’s Home Parkinson Proof

Parkinson disease or PD is a progressive neurological disease that affects both movement and cognition by destroying the nerve cells in the basal ganglia part of the brain. The first signs that one would notice is a sense of weakness, difficulty in walking, tremor of head and hands and stiff muscles. Following certain tips may make for independent and successful functioning in the house.

Tips to make an elder’s home Parkinson proof:

 

• As a general safety guideline it is best to keep emergency numbers like police, fire, poison control and the neighbor’s telephone number handy. It would also help to write the numbers on a sticker and put them on all phone receivers. Changing the buttons of the phone to larger push buttons and having frequently called numbers entered into the speed dial would help. The elder should preferably have one phone accessible preferably in the pocket to be used if he falls down.   

• Next make sure you protect your elder from all smoke hazards; this could be done by making sure the smoke detectors work properly and the elder avoids the use of space heaters and electric blankets.

• Making your home Parkinson proof for elders means placing the furniture with wide spaces between them; this would ensure the elder has a lot of space to move around. It is also significant to understand that it is best to arrange furniture in such a way that there are outlets available for lamps and appliances without the need for extension cords. Even if extension cords are used it is best to make sure that they are taped and out of the way of the elder, who may trip and fall. It would be ideal to install handrails along walls, hallways, and stairwells to provide support to your near and dear elder for support.

• It would be best to invest in touchable lamps or those that react to sound.

• It would help to use straight backed chairs with firm seats and cushions to assist getting up, sitting down and make it easier to move.

• If the elder finds it difficult getting into and out of bed, it would be ideal to insist that they use a reclining chair to sleep. It would help having a stationary pole or trapeze bar installed that would assist getting out of bed.

• Make sure the toilet of the elder has an elevated toilet seat and/or safety rails to assist standing from a low surface. Also make sure there are extended lever handles on faucet to make it easier to turn.

• Ensure you install grab bars inside and outside the bathtub or shower and advice the elder to use bathroom transfer bench or a shower chair with back support.

• Next ensure you have non-skid mats or decals in the bath tub; install large rugs or non-stick backing or wall to wall carpeting to cover the bathroom floor and avoid small bathroom mats.

• Last, but most importantly an occupational therapist or rehabilitation specialist may recommend a variety of assistive devices like built-in utensils, grab bars, devices to help reach out, electric beds or mattresses, sliding boards and wheel chairs that would make home care and daily activities more comfortable.

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