How to Make The Home Safer and Find the Right Care for a Loved One with Parkinson’s
Covered in this guide:
- Home Safety Considerations for Seniors With Parkinson's Disease
- Room-by-Room Home Modifications for Seniors With Parkinson's Disease
- What To Look For in a Senior Living Facility When Your Loved One Has Parkinson's Disease
- Senior Living Facilities That Offer Parkinson's Management and Care
- Resources for Caregivers of Seniors Living with Parkinson's Disease
Updated: May 20, 2023 | Reviewed by: Deidre Sommerer, LPN, MS, CMC, CDP
Parkinson's disease affects more than 1 million individuals in the United States, approximately 89% of whom are aged 65 and older. Those who live with this illness typically experience tremors along with additional symptoms, such as slowed movement, rigid muscles or problems with balance and posture. Ultimately, Parkinson's disease can lead to dementia — a condition that eventually requires long-term care for most seniors who live with it.
Parkinson's disease can make it difficult for seniors to find adequate long-term care options because as the disease progresses, symptoms change and worsen. That means seniors living with Parkinson's are likely to need a change in their living environment over time. The routines they engage in and the levels of care they receive will also need to adapt over time to suit the progression of their illness. With the right care plan in place, seniors and their families can be prepared for changes in condition and ensure that quality of life remains as high as possible.
In this guide, seniors and their loved ones can learn more about Parkinson's disease and how to manage changing living conditions. This includes information about home modifications that may help seniors with Parkinson’s delay or avoid institutionalization. The guide also includes details about other senior living options available to those with a Parkinson’s diagnosis and offers guidance on how to locate options that can provide appropriate and adequate care.
Home Safety Considerations for Seniors With Parkinson's Disease
Seniors with Parkinson's disease commonly have mobility issues. That can make it difficult to navigate a typical home, but with the right considerations, it's possible to create a safe living environment for those with the illness.
Below are a few things to consider when living with someone who has Parkinson's disease.
Lighting for Optimal Visibility
Lighting is a vital part of creating a safer environment for any senior, especially those with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s may cause visual disturbances or vision changes, so it’s important to optimize visibility as much as possible. This could include the addition of higher-wattage bulbs and additional lamps or fixtures where it’s safe to do so.
Tripping Hazards
Alongside improved lighting, you’ll want to remove items that could become tripping hazards both inside and outside the home. Loose pavers or stones in walkways, wobbly stairs on the front porch or overgrown gardens outside the house can increase the risk of falls. Other common household items that could pose a hazard include rugs, cords, plants and oddly-shaped furniture.
Stabilization
For seniors who struggle with stability, it’s helpful to add grab bars in hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms and other areas of the home where there are no countertops or stable furniture to grab if needed.
People with mobility issues can find it difficult to sit on or stand up from soft or low-lying furniture. When choosing furniture, select raised beds, sofas and chairs with firm cushions and armrests that can be used for stabilization when standing or sitting.
Emergency Information and Technology
In case of emergency, telephones should be located throughout the house alongside a list of important phone numbers. The list should include emergency numbers, such as 9-1-1, and other medical provider contact information. Consider using smart technology throughout the house for lighting, temperature control and other elements that might be difficult to control manually.
Room-by-Room Home Modifications for Seniors With Parkinson's Disease
Home modifications are an important part of making a safe, accessible living environment for seniors with Parkinson's disease. Use the checklist below as a resource when making modifications throughout the home.
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What To Look For in a Senior Living Facility When Your Loved One Has Parkinson's Disease
Living in a senior living community can provide a higher quality of life for seniors with Parkinson's disease. In assisted living or memory care facilities, seniors can receive personalized support and services that help manage the symptoms with disease progression.
When searching for a senior living facility for yourself or a loved one with Parkinson's disease, it's important to find a community that offers the services outlined below.
Medication Management
In order for Parkinson’s medications to be helpful, they must be given at exact times. However, those living with Parkinson's may have issues remembering medications — including which ones to take when — as well as problems with opening medication bottles due to tremors and other physical barriers.
Facilities that provide medication management can ensure seniors are provided with the medications they need at the right times of day, preventing errors such as missed doses or overdoses.
24-Hour Supervision
Facilities that provide 24-hour supervision have caregivers and oversight by nursing staff. These caregivers provide help with everything from mobility to bathing and toileting. This level of help is especially important for seniors who live with reduced mobility or dementia and those who may face difficulties with activities of daily living or ADLs.
Cognitive Support
Many seniors with Parkinson's struggle with memory loss and dementia. Facilities that provide cognitive support offer activities and coaching for residents with declining cognitive function. These activities exercise problem-solving and decision-making skills, in addition to practice with recognizing faces and names of loved ones.
Experienced Caregivers
Caregivers become an important part of seniors' lives when they live in a care facility. It's important that those working with seniors who have Parkinson's are experienced and knowledgeable about the illness, its progression and the typical needs of seniors who have it.
Opportunities to Socialize
Socialization can enhance cognitive awareness, so it's important for seniors living in long-term care to be provided with daily social activities. This might include dining with other residents, attending group outings or engaging in in-house games, such as bingo or trivia nights.
Senior Living Facilities That Offer Parkinson's Management and Care
While long-term care facilities exist extensively throughout the United States, those that specialize in care for Parkinson's disease may be more difficult to find. Assisted living communities are typically a good fit for seniors with Parkinson's disease; however, seniors who are living with Parkinson's-related dementia may wish to consider a memory care facility.
In the table below, we've listed some communities across the nation that provide specific care plans for seniors with Parkinson's disease.
Facility Name | Location | Description |
Parkinson’s Specialty Care Residential Living - East Bloomington | Bloomington, MN | Seniors living at Parkinson's Specialty Care in East Bloomington can enjoy life in a safe, quiet neighborhood. The facility offers daily group activities, as well as communal dining, private bedrooms and plenty of outdoor space. |
Parkinson’s Specialty Care Residential Living - Edina East & West | Edina, MN | The Edina location of Parkinson's Specialty Care is located in a small, upscale neighborhood. This six-person home features large hallways, private bedrooms and community spaces for residents to gather with family members or friends. |
Parkinson's Specialty Care Residential Living - Golden Valley | Golden Valley, MN | Parkinson's Specialty Care in Golden Valley is a small facility that provides Parkinson's care in a private, intimate setting. Residents have access to a beautiful yard that features a deck with plants and bird feeders, as well as shared living spaces to gather with other residents and guests. |
Maplewood, MN | This small, private home is located in a quiet community. It features enough space for just a few residents who live in private bedrooms. Other rooms throughout the home, including the kitchen, living room, sunroom and dining area, are shared spaces for all residents to enjoy. | |
Parkinson's Specialty Care Residential Living - West Bloomington | Bloomington, MN | The Parkinson's Specialty Care West Bloomington location accommodates six residents. Each individual is offered a private bedroom, along with shared dining and sitting rooms. Guests, including friends and family, are welcome to visit any time, and activities offered include gardening and birdwatching. |
Overland Park, KS | Nantucket House features a staff of caregivers who are specially trained in Parkinson's disease. The facility also offers memory care for those living with dementia. Nantucket House is intimate, with space for just five to eight residents. | |
Houston, TX | Ultimate Personal Care Homes provides care exclusively for seniors with Parkinson's disease and related dementia. The staff understands the unique needs of those living with this condition and provides person-centered care, along with activities that promote cognitive preservation and development. | |
Overland Park, KS | The Heritage of Overland Park offers holistic care for seniors with Parkinson's disease. Its care program incorporates dietary support, psychiatry, physical and occupational therapy and an on-site physician and nurse practitioner who supervise daily care. | |
Brookline, MA | Goddard House's Parkinson's in Motion program takes a unique approach to senior care. It helps those living with the condition manage its symptoms and cope through emotional and peer support, medical care and various on-site therapy programs. | |
Queens, NY | This facility provides nursing care for seniors living with Parkinson's disease in a safe, comfortable environment. It's staffed with multilingual nurses and caregivers to ensure that residents, regardless of background, can feel at home for the duration of their stay. | |
Tulsa, OK | Saint Simeon's is a professional member of several networks for Parkinson's care providers, including the American Parkinson's Disease Association. Its nursing and caregiving staff provide medication assistance, physical therapy and other services to help slow the progression and manage the symptoms of the illness. | |
Kirkland, WA | Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center is committed to improving its residents' quality of life. It provides services to diagnose and treat Parkinson's disease, as well as typical long-term care services for those who require help with ADLs 24 hours a day. | |
Cambridge, MA | Youville House is an assisted living residence in Massachusetts that staffs specially trained caregivers who are experienced in treating and caring for seniors with Parkinson's disease. In this facility, residents reside in private suites while sharing common dining and living spaces, as well as amenities, such as a fitness center, library and games room. | |
Huntsville, AL | Redstone Village provides a continuum of care that includes assisted living, memory support skilled nursing care and specialized Parkinson's care. Residents receive the level of care that suits them most, ensuring their needs are met, regardless of the stage their disease is in. | |
Roseville, CA | Agape Villa Care Home is a small, intimate assisted living facility that provides specialized care for seniors with Parkinson's disease and dementia. Its caregivers provide help with ADLs 24 hours a day, as well as therapeutic services and cognitive activities that help to manage Parkinson's symptoms and cognitive decline. |
For help finding a senior living option with specialized care for seniors with Parkinson's disease, contact a Family Advisor. To connect, contact 1-800-334-9427.
Resources for Caregivers of Seniors Living with Parkinson's Disease
Resource Name | Contact | How it Helps |
(301) 844-6510 | The Parkinson Foundation provides education about Parkinson's disease, support groups and fundraising programs to patients and caregivers. It also offers free online and in-person wellness classes that focus on exercise and mobility as relates to Parkinson’s. Seniors and caregivers can access the organization's free Parkinson's scorecard to analyze the progression of their disease. | |
(800) 473-4386 | The Aware in Care Kit is available for free, provided the requester pays for shipping charges. It includes information and tools to help seniors and their caregivers stay prepared for hospital stays resulting from Parkinson's disease. The kit includes an ID bracelet and Medical Alert card, as well as a nurse fact sheet, medication forms and a hospital action plan. | |
(800) 223-2732 | The APDA is committed to educating Americans about Parkinson's disease and providing caregivers with online resources that include first responder training materials, webinars, educational videos, and assistance with obtaining disability benefits. This organization also hosts various events, including seminars and physical education classes, at its National Rehab Center in Boston, MA. | |
medlineplus.gov | Medline Plus is an online resource that features detailed information about the symptoms, treatment and progression of Parkinson's disease, as well as up-to-date links to current research and studies about the illness. Seniors and caregivers can use the organization's videos and tutorials to learn more about Parkinson's, download patient handouts for easy reference and access information about upcoming clinical trials. | |
myparkinsonspath.com | Understanding Parkinson's is an online resource with plenty of up-to-date information about the disease. It provides simple tools to help those with Parkinson's disease adapt to a new diagnosis or rapid progression, as well as resources for caregivers who are struggling to keep up with their loved one. | |
(800) 532-5274 | The Patient Advocate Foundation works with Parkinson's patients to help them resolve problems with insurance providers, caregivers and creditors. | |
(757) 313-9729 | This nonprofit organization provides financial help for seniors who are living with Parkinson's disease. The funding is intended to help cover the cost of medical bills and caregiving. Seniors who need financial assistance can apply online. | |
(800) 503-6897 | Need Meds is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income seniors and families find help with the cost of prescription medications. This resource may be particularly helpful for those with Parkinson's disease who are typically prescribed multiple medications to manage their symptoms. | |
(305) 670-4357 | Seniors with Parkinson's disease who are struggling with their diagnosis or other issues resulting from their illness can contact the Elder Helpline for free counseling and advice. Operated by the Alliance for Aging, this helpline can also work with seniors to help them access resources across the country that may help them find appropriate care, financial assistance or housing. | |
(800) 473-4636 | The Newly Diagnosed Kit is provided by the Parkinson's Foundation. It offers seniors who've just been diagnosed with the disease an array of resources, including an info card, key questions to ask their doctors and brochures and fact sheets to help them understand symptoms and better monitor their illness. | |
The National Council on Aging is a federally-funded organization that provides a variety of resources and information for American seniors. It offers specialized information for those with Parkinson's disease, as well as resources to help seniors better understand insurance programs and Medicare, financial planning, fall prevention and long-term care. | ||
(800) 222-2225 | The National Institute on Aging is operated by the United States government. It provides seniors with access to online resources, including webinars and telehealth workshops, as well as a library of important resources for seniors. Those with Parkinson's can visit the National Institute on Aging online to discover a variety of resources for Parkinson's and other illnesses that are common among aging populations. |
Expert Reviewer
Deidre Sommerer
Deidre has worked in the healthcare field for over 35 years and specializes in Geriatrics. Deidre is a nurse who holds a certification from the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She has worked across all healthcare settings, with a concentration on the community and helping older and disabled adults age in place. She has worked on NIH grant-funded program evaluation projects and considers herself a life-long learner. Deidre is a valued team member at The Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging in Hartford, CT.
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