Planning Ahead for Parkinson’s Needs
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease at home can be like sailing a ship through uncharted waters. Currents, wind shifts and changing weather patterns all influence the ship’s course on a daily basis.
The effects of Parkinson’s disease also present an unpredictable course and caregivers must continually seek solutions and a positive direction for the care they provide.
Barbara’s Advice
Barbara has been caring for her husband for over 10 years.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and she has remained steadfast with his care at home.
Through the years, she has been creative in developing practical ideas that save time, require less energy and reduce stress.
Most importantly, employment of these concepts has enabled her to maintain the dignity and independence of her husband:
Start Planning in the Early Stages
In the early stages of her husband’s disease, Barbara made an appointment for occupational and physical therapy consultations along with a home environment assessment.
This decision helped her to begin planning for the physical care and necessary home modifications to support her husband’s needs.
She offers these additional ideas for caregivers to customize their caregiving procedures as needs arise:
Mobility Aids/Furniture:
Wheelchairs — consider two separate chairs; one to use for indoor mobility and at the kitchen table (can be locked in place), and one to use for outings to the mall or family gatherings.
Walker — the best investment has been a four-wheeled walker with balloon tires, hand brakes and a padded seat. It glides over the ground and uneven surfaces and was paid for by Medicare and a co-insurance policy.
Recliner — add a wooden base to the chair to raise the height six to 10 inches. This makes it easier for the care receiver to get in and out of the chair alone.
Electric or Power lift chairs are another option and may be partially paid for by Medicare.
Bathroom Safety:
Install grab bars in several wall locations and a safety handle on the edge of the bathtub. Be sure to drill the bars into a wall stud for maximum hold and safety.
Remove the toilet seat and place a commode frame with arm rests over the toilet or purchase an elevated toilet seat with raised arms.
For sanitary purposes, keep flushable wet wipes available for use after toileting. Wipes can also be used to clean bathroom fixtures.
Add a non-skid bath mat, a bath bench and a handheld shower head to allow the care receiver to assist with their own shower.
- See Detailed Guide to Shower Chairs and Bath Benches
- See Minimize Your Senior’s Falling Risk Now! Here’s How …
For grooming, use an electric razor and an electric toothbrush to encourage self-care.
Incontinence Products:
Use incontinent pads and adult briefs in layers as needed for full protection against wetting through.
See:
Clothes or Furniture:
Washable sheet protectors and chair pads can be used to save on constant laundering. For full protection, layer several pads on the bed or chair.
Floor Safety:
Use a Swiffer-type dry and wet mop on the floors for easier cleaning.
Do not use throw rugs, but if the floor surface is slippery, use a short-napped rug with a rubber backing.
Personal Safety:
Purchase a whistle and place it around the care receiver’s neck. This can be used to call for help, especially if the caregiver has a hearing deficit.
Place another whistle near the bed or toilet if needed.
Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) like GreatCall can be rented monthly to summon help when the caregiver is out of the home.
Alarm systems can be installed at exit doors and on wheelchairs to prevent wandering or falling.
Alarm systems can be installed at exit doors and on wheelchairs to prevent wandering or falling.
Transfer or gait belts can be used to keep the care receiver secure in the chair when the caregiver has to leave the room.
It can also be used to assist in safely helping the care receiver out of bed or a chair.
Canvas aprons can be purchased at craft stores. Cut the ties off and replace with elastic on the top to enable the care receiver to put it on without help. Vinyl or quilted bibs/aprons can also be purchased from medical supply companies. Place the bottom half of the apron underneath the plate for neater mealtimes.
Use cups or glasses with lids and straw holes to prevent spilling. A two-handled cup with a spouted lid can also be kept by the bedside.
If the care receiver has tremors, buy shallow soup bowls and edge guards for plates to keep the food contained.
Purchase utensils with weighted, built-up or angled handles to help hands remain steady.
- See this new spoon for hand tremors to make mealtimes easier.
Car Ideas:
Car seats made of leather are easier to access and to clean.
Consider purchasing a swivel seat cushion to ease car transfers.
Pivot Disc
Some older adults can stand up from a wheelchair, but can’t turn around to sit in the car. This disc saves you from injuring your back or shoulders while helping them turn around.
With this pivot disc, your senior stands on the disc and you can slowly turn them so their back faces the car seat and they can sit down.
Purchase a handicapped vehicle parking permit through the driver’s license bureau and have it authorized by the physician. Use the permit at any handicapped parking zone or at any meter in the city.
Pack a car tote bag. Include a package of wet wipes, bibs, a change of clothing, incontinent pads, plastic garbage bags, and water.
Eat in the car and park near a scenic area to enjoy the meal and the view if dining in a restaurant becomes too difficult.
Bedroom Solutions:
Consider the need for an electric hospital bed with a trapeze for movement and increased independence. This can be rented monthly through Medicare and a co-insurance policy.
Try nylon or silk pajamas for ease in turning in bed. Use a bed guardrail for safety and support.
Dressing for Success:
Velcro Hush Puppy shoes are easier for the care receiver to put on and take off. Turn a lace-up shoe into a slip-on shoe with elastic shoelaces.
Purchase pull on boots with zippers for winter.
Use a long-handled shoe horn with a spring hinge.
The care receiver will have warmer feet and avoid falling by wearing slipper socks with rubber treads over regular socks. Thin stockings vs. cushioned sole socks are better on carpeted surfaces.
Sport pants and elastic waistbands ease dressing woes for the caregiver and care receiver.
- See Shoes and Slippers for Swollen Feet
- See 10 Simple Products to Help with Getting Dressed
- See Hands-Free Shoes Make Dressing Easier!
Visual Cues:
Magnifying sheets, magnifying glasses, large wall clocks, talking watches and natural spectrum lamps help those with impaired vision and encourage independence.
Enriching Activities:
Review photo albums and old greeting cards.
Read the comics.
Listen to music and books on tape.
Enjoy walks in the park when able.
Create a memory box filled with past treasures or items that encourage reminiscence.
Display things around the home that bring joy such as family photos, children’s art work, and holiday decorations. This display also helps with time or seasonal orientation.
Consider attending a Parkinson’s disease support group together.
- See Ideas for Keeping Your Dementia Patient Happy and Busy (these suggestions are also good for those with Parkinson’s)
Final Thoughts
As one can see, revising care procedures and modifying your home can promote successful caregiving. In addition, these ideas will uphold the dignity and independence of the care receiver. Learn from others who have walked in your shoes and set your sails for a new direction in providing care for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease.
Based on an article by Kristine Dwyer and Barbara Churchill
Thanks for visiting and reading …
I hope this article provided you some helpful ideas. I welcome your comments below.
-Laurie
You may also be interested in:
Best Exercises for Parkinson’s Disease – A Complete Physical Activity Guide
Finding the Right Power Wheelchair
Choosing the Right Transport Chair
Choosing the Right Medical Walker
Detailed Guide for Finding the Right Power Lift Chair
Guide to Bathroom Grab Bars and Hand Rails
Buy an Elevated Toilet Seat – A Detailed Guide
Detailed Guide to Shower Chairs and Bath Benches
Minimize Your Senior’s Falling Risk Now! Here’s How …
How to Choose Adaptive Clothing
Incontinence Protection Products for Home, Car and Bed
Caregivers Can Reduce Risks of Heavy Lifting
New Spoon for Hand Tremors Makes Mealtimes Easier
Should You Have A Hospital Bed for Home Use?
Shoes and Slippers for Swollen Feet
10 Simple Products to Help with Getting Dressed
Hands-Free Shoes Make Dressing Easier!
Ideas for Keeping Your Dementia Patient Happy and Busy
Caregiving for Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Swallowing and Dental Problems
Parkinson’s Disease and Low Blood Pressure
Getting the Right Testing for Dementia