HOW TO MODIFY YOUR HOME FOR LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S

These simple changes improve your home’s accessibility and safety, so you can stay independent.

While a Parkinson’s disease (PD) diagnosis is life-changing, it doesn’t have to take away your independence at home. But because this progressive neurological condition can affect your ability to move and carry out daily tasks, you may need to make adjustments to improve accessibility or to reduce safety hazards.

“Parkinson’s affects movement, balance, and coordination — so the home can quickly become full of obstacles,” says Brandy Archie, a doctor of occupational therapy based in Kansas City, MO, and the founder of AskSAMIE, an AI-driven occupational therapy resource and marketplace.

Why It Matters

As PD symptoms progress, everyday tasks — such as getting out of bed, bathing, and preparing a meal — can become increasingly challenging, and sometimes even dangerous, Archie explains. This is largely due to changes in motor skills and balance, along with other symptoms like tremors and muscle rigidity, which can make it harder to chop vegetables safely or take a shower without falling.

Certain medications for PD management can cause side effects like confusion and sleepiness, which can also contribute to fall risk. Research estimates that about 60% of people with PD experience at least one fall — but at least some of those incidences might be avoided with simple adjustments to daily living. “Home modifications can reduce fall risk and help you maintain independence longer,” Archie says. They can also help conserve energy, giving people with PD more time and stamina for the activities they enjoy.

Home Adaptations

These are some adaptations to consider for easier living with Parkinson’s:

At the Entrance

As stairs and doors become more challenging, these fixes can make it easier for someone with PD to come into their home:

• Add threshold ramps. “These make it easier to cross door frames or low steps with a walker or scooter,” Archie says.
• Use lever-style door handles or a keyless door entry system. “This can reduce strain on hands affected by rigidity or tremors,” Archie says.

Throughout the Home

Help avoid trip hazards and improve mobility with these changes:

• Remove throw rugs and runners. “With an increase in shuffling gait, throw rugs are hazardous and can create a huge fall risk,” Mandy Chamberlain, an occupational therapist based in Carbondale, CO. Reduce the risk of tripping by removing these from your home.
• Install handrails alongside steps or small flights of stairs. If going in and out of your front door or up one level in your home is challenging, adding handrails can help aid your movement, Chamberlain says.

In the Bedroom

You spend a lot of time in the bedroom, so it’s important that it is a safe space. Consider the following:

• Move the bedroom to the ground floor. This can help minimize daily stair use if balance is an issue.
• Add a bed rail or floor-to-ceiling transfer pole. Both of these tools can make it easier to reposition or get out of bed safely, Archie says.
• Use motion-sensor lighting in the bedroom. “This helps with nighttime mobility while minimizing the need to flip a light switch,” Archie says.

In the Bathroom

There’s a high risk of falls on slippery surfaces in the bathroom. Here’s how to make it safer:

• Install grab bars. Chamberlain says this is especially important around the toilet and shower: “The bathroom is a common place where people fall, and using grab bars versus towel racks, for example, are more reliable for stability and safety.”
• Add a shower seat and bench. “Inexpensive bamboo or teak ones can be bought online or in a store,” says Dr. Mantri. “More extensive bathroom renovations may include step-in tubs or built-in seats.”
• Use a toilet riser and a bidet. A toilet riser can make going from sitting to standing less strenuous, Archie explains, whereas a bidet promotes comfortable hygiene.

In the Kitchen

Simplify meal prep and other kitchen tasks by including more adaptive tools in the kitchen.

• Incorporate seated workstations or sturdy stools in the kitchen. “Sitting often decreases tremors, making it easier to do fine motor tasks, like chopping veggies,” Archie says.
• Install easy-access kitchen cabinets and counters. Also, keep frequently used items within arm’s reach to reduce the need for stepladders, which can increase fall risk when your balance is off.
• Use weighted utensils and a one-handed cutting board. Kitchen tools like these can help support cooking and eating when you have hand tremors.

Smart Home Technology for Parkinson’s

Advances in home technology are making it easier than ever to support safety and independence for people with PD. Here’s what experts recommend adding to the home:

• Timed medication dispensers. These devices (like Hero and MedReady) help ensure the right medication is delivered at the correct time each day. “They can be set up in advance and will automatically dispense the pre-specified dose at regular intervals,” Dr. Mantri says. Because Parkinson’s can affect memory and cognitive function, this technology helps ensure doses aren’t missed.
• Voice-activated assistants. AI voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant can be connected to smart speakers placed throughout your home. “Voice-activated assistants can be used to set reminders, whether about medication, exercise, or appointments,” Dr. Mantri says. These assistants can also type emails or texts for you without typos, make phone calls, activate emergency services, turn on and off lights, and even lock your front door.
• Medical alert systems. If you can’t reach your phone, a medical alert system like Lifeline or MobileHealth can be lifesaving. You can set it up to contact an emergency contact, like a family member or emergency services. “Some systems can even auto-detect a fall or near-fall using built-in accelerometers,” says Dr. Mantri.
• Doorbell cameras. Seeing who is at the door with a camera like those from Ring or TP-Link Tapo can reduce the urge to rush to answer it, which can help prevent falls, Archie points out.
• Remote thermostats or light switches. “This simplifies tasks that require fine motor skills,” Archie says. Using a remote tool like Google Nest to change the temperature in your home or turn a light on and off with smartlights can help you conserve energy and reduce the risk of falling, she adds.

How Occupational Therapists Can Help

Occupational therapists (OTs) can play a role at every stage of PD, says Chamberlain. Their goal is to support your independence by finding practical solutions for daily tasks and ensuring you can care for yourself comfortably and safely.

Apart from making home modifications, OTs “look at adaptive techniques and strategies to help people perform daily tasks,” says Chamberlain, such as suggesting cues to help them remember to take their medications. Occupational therapists also address tremors and dexterity and work on energy conservation to help manage fatigue.

Bottom Line

As PD progresses, the need for home modifications often increases. Symptoms like tremors, muscle stiffness, and difficulty balancing can increase your risk of falling, which is why it’s so important to continue adapting your home to support your changing needs. “Home modifications aren’t one-size-fits-all,” Archie says. “The right setup evolves as the disease does.” Working with your care team, including your doctor, physical therapist, and occupational therapist can help you remain independent and empowered in your own home.