Many of the challenges of Parkinson's disease crop up in simple, day-to-day tasks. The <a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=apda" target="_blank">American Parkinson Disease Association</a> offers these tips for making life around the house simpler and safer.
In the bathroom:
<ul>
 <li>Buy a shower chair or tub bench. </li>
 <li>Put a nonslip mat or strips on the shower floor. </li>
 <li>Install grab bars. </li>
 <li>Use soap on a rope with a long-handled bath brush or a terry cloth mitt for bathing. </li>
 <li>Switch to an electric razor. </li>
</ul>
In the clothes closet:
<ul>
 <li>Lower the clothes rods in your closets. </li>
 <li>Buy clothing that closes in the front with simple fasteners. </li>
 <li>Replace buttons and zippers with Velcro strips or dots. </li>
 <li>Sew firm elastic bands into shirt cuffs so they don't need to be buttoned. </li>
 <li>Put on and take off clothes from your stiffer side first. </li>
 <li>Get a dressing stick, which helps pull pants and shorts over feet and legs. </li>
 <li>Switch to elastic shoelaces. </li>
</ul>
In the kitchen:
<ul>
 <li>Arrange your kitchen to make cooking easier&mdash;store pots next to the stove, for example. </li>
 <li>Buy a cutting board with raised sides. </li>
 <li>Sit down while you prepare food. </li>
 <li>Try a rocking knife and silverware with built-up handles to make eating easier. </li>
 <li>Place a rubber pad or wet dishcloth under bowls and pans during food preparation. </li>
 <li>Move food from kitchen to table on a cart with wheels. </li>
 <li>Use a lazy Susan on the table or counters. </li>
 <li>Add a plate guard, a rim that attaches to one side of your plate, or use scoop dishes with raised edges. </li>
 <li>Try plastic straws or lightweight mugs with large handles for easier drinking.</li>
</ul>
Reviewed 11/27/2023

Parkinson's disease: Easing everyday challenges

Household adjustments can help people with Parkinson's disease.