How should I change my kitchen if I have Parkinson's disease?

If you have Parkinson's disease, here are some changes you should make to your kitchen:If you plan to purchase new appliances, consider buying a stove with a smooth cooktop since it is much easier to clean. Select a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, so that you can store both frozen and refrigerated items at eye level. Store dishes, utensils, and food in locations closest to where you use them.

Put dishes and glasses over the dishwasher or sink, hang pots and pans from hooks near the stove; and keep frequently used items on the countertop or in another convenient location. Label the drawers, cupboards, and cabinets in the kitchen with a description or a photo of the contents. This cuts down on the amount of time spent searching for items, especially if others frequently help you in the kitchen.

Place commonly used items on a turntable or lazy Susan in the center of the kitchen table or on a countertop. You might also use a lazy Susan in a deep cabinet or cupboard, so that you can access the contents more easily. Look for a cutting board with a raised side or have wooden sides attached to your existing cutting board to minimize spilling diced food.

Boards with stainless steel prongs help hold foods in place while you cut. Purchase a dustpan attached to a long handle so that you won’t have to bend over. You can collect your floor sweepings while in a standing position.

You might also try using a child’s broom from a sitting position. Use Pow-R-Grips handles with brooms and other long-handled tools to improve leverage and help reduce wrist and back strain, blisters, fatigue, and repetitive stress injuries. Made of durable nylon plastic, each set of Pow-R-Grips handles consist of two pieces that are used together—the straight grip handle is placed on the upper portion of the long-handled tool, while the D-grip handle is placed at the mid-point of the tool.

Pow-R-Grips are sold in sets of one straight grip handle and one D-grip handle.

Here are some tips to make your bathroom more accessible if you or a loved one has Parkinson's disease:Crisscross two pieces of adhesive tape over the bolt on the bathroom door. Adults who are confused or have trouble operating a doorknob will not be able to lock themselves in the bathroom. If the bathroom doorway is too narrow to manage, remove the door and replace it with a tension rod and an opaque or black shower curtain liner.

This will provide more clearance, helpful not just for wheelchair users, but also for those who use a walker or require assistance. Purchase a telescoping mirror that either clamps to the side wall of the vanity or sits on top of the vanity counter. Telescoping mirrors feature adjustable, swivel-type necks that can be moved to various positions easily.

Usually, one side has a regular mirror and the other a magnifying mirror, making it perfect for makeup application and shaving. Another option is to install mirrored tiles at various heights on the bathroom walls. If you have separate controls for hot and cold water, consider installing wrist blades.

Wrist blades are wide, wing-type handles that can be operated by pushing with the forearm, wrist, or heel of the hand. These are available at most plumbing supply and hardware stores. Install kitchen faucets in bathrooms.

To make it easier to get your hands under the water, you may want to replace bathroom faucets with kitchen faucets, which are longer and project farther into the sink basin. Install an automatic faucet that turns water on and off automatically. Some models turn on with slight pressure on a wand and turn off when pressure is released; others are activated by an electric eye.

Here are some tips on making your bed more accessible if you have Parkinson's disease:If you have Parkinson's disease, your bed should be low enough for you to get in and out easily. A good guideline is for the bed to be 22 inches high, but take your height into account. In general, if the bed is lower than knee height (like a futon), getting in and out will be difficult.

If your bed is too low, set its legs on recessed wooden risers (blocks with holes cut into them to accommodate the bed legs). If your bed is too high, consult a carpenter to get the legs of the bed shortened. Consider repositioning your bed against the wall to make it more accessible.

Install a grab bar on the wall alongside the bed, about 10 inches higher than the mattress. Be sure to anchor the railing to studs in the wall so that it will be secure. Another option is half bed rails that can be installed under the mattress.

Installing such rails might eliminate the need for an expensive hospital bed with bed railings. Attach a bed pull to the grab bar or to the frame at the foot of your bed to assist in turning over and getting out of bed. Use a nylon rope, or braid three pieces of tightly woven fabric together, in a length that will reach from the base of the bed to your hand when lying down.

It should be long enough for you to reach, but still at arm’s length for good leverage when you want to pull yourself out of bed. Tie a large wooden ring to the end to serve as a handhold. Then sew a binder clip (butterfly clip) near the ring, so that the bed pull can be clamped to the bedding and remain within your reach.

You may want to attach another bed pull to the side of the bed to assist you in turning. Use satin bed sheets. Their slippery surface makes it easier to turn over in bed.

Flannel sheets make it more difficult to turn over than standard cotton or percale sheets. Consider installing a trapeze or harness that hangs over the bed, so that you can grab hold of it to lift and turn yourself. Place a long, sturdy cardboard box under the covers at the foot of the bed.

Elevating the covers will keep pressure off your feet and legs and allow you to turn without getting tangled up in the bedding.

Here are some tips for making your living room safer and more accessible if you have Parkinson's disease:Walking or wheeling on carpet is easier if the carpet pile is very short. It is easier still on wood, linoleum, or ceramic floors; however, bare floors and ceramic tiles can be slippery when wet, so use caution. You may want to consider changing the floor covering or surface.

Use furniture that is sturdy and stable. Generally, the best sitting chair has a relatively straight back, a firm, shallow seat, and armrests. Avoid low, heavily upholstered couches and chairs, because it is often difficult to rise from them without help.

Sofas or chairs should be approximately 17 inches off the ground; the seat should be no lower than knee height. Add a firm cushion or attach risers to the chair legs to increase the height of the chair. For some, a comfortable, heavy rocking chair with armrests may help, because it can give you an extra boost when rising.

Place a clear plastic chair protector on upholstered dining room chairs and gain several advantages—prevent spills from staining fabric and make it easier to change position and slide on and off the chair seat.

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