Mobility Tools Ease Daily Lives of Those with Parkinson’s

By Lynn Wilson, Co-Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

                         Aging In Place: Making a Home Safer for Seniors

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month and as many as 1 million people in the United States are living with this movement disorder, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. Fortunately, there are tools on the market to help those with Parkinson’s lead more mobile, independent lives.

As the Parkinson’s community takes action in April to raise awareness, we remind readers to support a cure by hosting or attending a fundraising event in your community. It’s also important to educate yourself and others about living with Parkinson’s.

The primary motor signs of Parkinson’s — tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and postural instability — can make day-to-day living difficult, even when performing basic tasks, such as getting around the house and taking care of personal hygiene. Here are some tips and tools from The CareGiver Partnership to increase mobility and independence at home.

• Helpful home modifications include enlarging handles and switches by adding grips, installing security poles to help prevent falls, and using bedside assistance tools and rails.
• Daily living aids include canes with wrist straps, reachers that decrease discomfort caused by movement, walkers with baskets, and simple tools like a food bumper for easier scooping.
• Personal hygiene helpers — such as one-step shampoos and cleansers, long-handled back scrubbers and lotion applicators, and dressing sticks — can help those with stiffness and limited mobility.
• Bathroom safety and comfort is improved with grab bars, raised toilet seats, bath benches and rubber safety mats.
• Parkinson’s disease can cause the bladder to become overactive and develop contractions, leading to poor storage and interference with flow. If incontinence products are needed, look for styles that are easy to put on and take off, such as those with tape tabs for easy removal.

Caregiver Resources

Call us at 1-800-985-1353 for personalized help. We also offer more than 1,200 helpful caregiver resources, including 20 specifically related to Parkinson’s.

Visit the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation for ideas on raising awareness.

Lynn Wilson founded The CareGiver Partnership based on her experience in caring for loved ones as well as providing the highest level of customer service. She takes pride in offering personalized service that helps her customers find the best solutions for their individual needs. Now that her children are grown, Lynn enjoys spending time with her granddaughter while also helping to care for her mom. To find out how The CareGiver Partnership can serve you, call 1-800-985-1353 M-F 9-4 CST.

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