Living Alone with Parkinson's
Living alone with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be an empowering experience, allowing for more opportunities to exercise independence. However, living independently with any progressive neurological disorder may present you with a variety of daily physical and mental challenges to consider. Proper home safety, as well as access to the necessary mental health and self-management resources, are of crucial importance. This can include adapting your home with assistive devices to prevent physical injuries, reaching out to loved ones or finding community in a support group, and/or creating small shifts in your daily routine, such as showering instead of bathing to avoid slips (Hammarlund et al., 2018). Regardless of your living situation, know that there are resources to support you in your journey with Parkinson’s disease.
Home Safety
Individuals living with Parkinson’s are at a greater risk of falling and other injuries. In fact, people with PD are twice as likely to experience a fall than those with other neurological conditions, and these falls may contribute to decreased quality of life, as well as a fear of falling again (Allen et al., 2013). Therefore, it is important to evaluate in-home safety to meet your physical needs.
Reducing the chance of slips and/or falls
A combination of soap, water, and tile can result in the bathroom being a particularly dangerous area of the home. Non-slip bathmats are a quick and easy solution to avoid slips and falls around the sink and shower. Specialized tools with extra handles and grips, such as those in the bathtub or near the toilet, can help in managing motor symptoms. Installing grab bars instead of relying on a towel rack for support is a safer alternative to avoid falls, as towel racks may come loose when used to support a person’s weight. Another simple but effective way to avoid injury while bathing is to place a chair in the tub and sit while washing. Using a hand-held showerhead and showering when your medication is “on” may also help keep you safe.
Preparing emergency contacts and support
It is also recommended you carry a cellphone with you, both inside and outside the home, in case of an emergency. Even without a network signal, cellphones can make emergency calls. Furthermore, modern smartphones are useful tools while living alone, as they offer a variety of safety-oriented apps for seniors and people with physical limitations. FallSafety Home is an easy-to-use app that automatically calls for help from an emergency contact after the smartphone’s built-in accelerometer detects a fall. Another app that serves as a powerful tool is Snug Safety, designed for seniors living alone. Snug Safety is a free, daily check-in service that will get in touch with an emergency contact if a check-in is missed.
Self-management and Medication
Living alone with Parkinson’s disease means giving a higher level of attention to self-managing your medication. A simple tip to ensure you are organizing your medication on your own is to create a chart with detailed information, such as the name and type of drug, dosage, and schedule. Posting your chart in a prominent area of the home, such as the refrigerator, can serve as an easy reminder. Ensure you are also tracking your medication and symptoms with a diary or journal that you can bring to your medical appointments. You may also wish to utilize timers or alarms to track the timing of doses.
Mental Health and Self-care
Mental health and self-care can sometimes be overlooked while living independently, especially when physical challenges take priority. However, ensuring you are taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally can make all the difference. One of the most important strategies for successfully living independently with PD is finding and maintaining social connections. It is normal to feel lonely if you are living alone. However, feeling lonely does not mean you are alone. The Society offers local support groups in communities across BC. Joining your local support group is an extremely effective way to stay connected and build relationships while living alone. Scheduling regular calls or outings with loved ones is another method to help you stay connected with your support circle. Your support network can also help with routine tasks, like grocery shopping, which will free up your time and energy for hobbies and activities you enjoy (Parkinson’s Foundation, 2022). Support doesn’t have to come from just other people – pets make great companions, and can be registered as emotional support animals (Parkinson’s Foundation, 2022).
Taking care of your mental health can also involve doing the hobbies you love at home. This can add day-to-day excitement and fulfillment to your life. Exercise, reading, art, and writing are activities that can be performed alone or with a loved one, either in-person or online. Parkinson Society BC offers activity-based, social events, such as our popular Drumming for Parkinson’s classes, as well as the Virtual Gardening Group. These events allow you to meet others with similar experiences to your own, while having a great time or learning a new skill. For our latest event offerings, please see our website at www.parkinson.bc.ca/events.
Private Care
Remember that there is nothing wrong with asking for additional help while living alone. Knowing when it is time to seek out extra support takes great strength and courage. Understanding your own wants and needs in the context of your personal limitations is an important step in coping with PD. Private care and home support in BC are available for activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, grooming, nutrition, and overall safety maintenance. To be eligible for publicly-funded home support, you must have been assessed as needing personal assistance by a health authority or professional (Province of British Columbia, n.d.). For more information, contact your local health authority and/or doctor.
Living alone with Parkinson’s disease does not mean you have to navigate your everyday life entirely by yourself. There are many resources available to make daily life more accessible and enjoyable through a wide variety of strategies and tools. Understand that your loved ones, community, and Parkinson Society BC are there to support you, and that you are never truly alone living with Parkinson’s.
Sources
Allen, N. E. et al. (2013). Recurrent falls in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsons Disease Journal, 2013:906274. www.doi.org/10.1155/2013/906274
Ministry of Health. (n.d.). Home Support - Province of British Columbia. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/home-support
Parkinson’s Foundation (2022, April 29). Tips for Living Alone with Parkinson’s. https://www.parkinson.org/blog/tips/Living-Alone-with-Parkinsons
Sjödahl Hammarlund, C., Westergren, A., Åström, I., Edberg, A. K., & Hagell, P. (2018). The Impact of Living with Parkinson's Disease: Balancing within a Web of Needs and Demands. Parkinson's disease, 2018, 4598651. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4598651
This content was published in the Fall 2022 edition of our quarterly magazine, Viewpoints. The content was accurate as of this publication date.