Assistive devices for seniors with advanced Parkinson’s?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have recommendations for *any* assistive devices to make life easier and as independent as possible when your senior parent has advanced Parkinson’s Disease? E.g., brands of lift devices or something to help the person stand from sitting; types of toothbrushes; lotion-applying wands or whatever; beds; wheelchairs; remote controls or voice-command-controlled lights or TVs; clothing that’s easier to put on; anything that has helped? Looking for any and all suggestions. The relative is in assisted living but I need to maximize independence as much as possible for as long as possible. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Is the person local to dc? Idk about how it would work in assisted living, but Grace in Motion in VA was great to work with for stairlifts and lifting chair (it’s basically recliner that stands you up). Otherwise ime it’s kind of just trial and error. Hospital beds seem to all have the same functionality. Lift belts etc.

[Anonymous]

Sign up for the free newsletter through Inova -- they have all sorts of resources for the DMV area.

https://inovasymphony.ac-page.com/ipmdc-subscribe

Or reach out to the Inova program manager:

Sonia Gow
Program and Community Care Manager
Inova Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center
703.375.9987
ipmdc.org

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone have recommendations for *any* assistive devices to make life easier and as independent as possible when your senior parent has advanced Parkinson’s Disease? E.g., brands of lift devices or something to help the person stand from sitting; types of toothbrushes; lotion-applying wands or whatever; beds; wheelchairs; remote controls or voice-command-controlled lights or TVs; clothing that’s easier to put on; anything that has helped? Looking for any and all suggestions. The relative is in assisted living but I need to maximize independence as much as possible for as long as possible. Thank you!

I can help some-my Dad with advanced parkinsons just passed away yesterday. I want to be helpful to other families on this journey.

For going from standing to sitting, Dad used the rollator with handbrakes (if your parent has assistance, they can help by lifting under one arm). PT taught him to safely stand and sit using it. We also got a lift recliner, but he was not fond of the lift-to-stand feature. I think it made him feel off balance. The chair they sit in at the dining table should have arms, and mom put grippy seat pads on it so he would not slip trying to get up.

Toothbrushes-he used just a regular one (at a snail's pace). He couldn't use a lotion applying wand with any precision-Mom helped.

Bed-a hospital bed was recommended quite a while ago but they weren't open to it (I had posted about some of their resistance on threads here). But you can lower them to reduce fall risk and they have rails. Dad had a handrail that attached with straps under the whole mattress so he could pull himself up with it-Walmart has them as does any medical place. In the last several months he used a regular wheelchair in the house often, scooting with his feet (he could not roll the wheels with his arms). Standard wheelchairs fit through modern doorways in homes. He could also roll up to the table to eat in the wheelchair and he didn't have to get into the dining chair (which was a fall spot for him, as was the bed).

Remotes-well for my folks Mom was the remote lol. But I think some people use like Alexa or Roku voice.

Clothing-pants with drawstring waist (like flannels or joggers) because he lost weight and also used depends so easier to change. For shirts we layered t shirts and long sleeve soft shirts. These were easy to get over his head and arms, and he could not use buttons anymore (he would not let mom button him). If your parent has an aide, button shirts are easy if the aide can button them. Make sure pants are not long enough to trip on when they shuffle.

I put his hearing aids on a tether type cord (made for hearing aids) that you clip on the wearer's shirt so if one falls out, they don't lose it and they don't fall bending over to pick it up (that happened).

I'll post anything else I think of later. Does your parent have a fall button type thing?

[Anonymous]

My mom has dementia so I’ll add some things I’ve found helpful. An “Alzheimer’s” clock they sell on Amazon. It is basic, has the day, time, date and morning/afternoon (sometimes they get times mixed up). You can also set it to alarm to remind them about medication time, meal time, etc.

We tried a few adaptive remote controls but technology was never my moms strong suit and she had a hard time understanding. Even an Alexa was confusing. I actually bought button looking things you can program and had one recorded for “Alexa play music” and one for “Alexa stop” so all she had to do was hit the buttons.

She’s still pretty flexible but I bought her Kizik and Sketchers slip on shoes so she doesn't have to bend over to get her shoes on.

I see her twice a week and I bring small water bottles when I come. She can’t open them herself anymore so I leave 5-7 open but with the cap on so she can access them if she gets thirsty.

I also bought her lift chair/recliner. I got it off Amazon and it wasn’t terribly expensive. It only has two buttons so it’s easier for her to use although she really doesn’t use the lift feature.

[Anonymous]

Most of my suggestions have been shared:
-lift recliner
- hospital bed or adjustable mattress
- bed rail
-bathroom grab bars and raised toilet seat with arms
- kizik sneakers
- elastic waist pants
- Alexa for reminders and voice commands
- had to switch from a rollator to a regular walker, the rollator would get too far ahead too quickly and caused falls
- water bottle with a straw
- reusable straws to put in any drinks
- loosen lids on items needed throughout the day ahead of time (for us it was protein shakes)
- dental floss sticks to help with flossing