One person in every 500 has Parkinson’s. That’s about 127,000 people in the UK. Most people who get Parkinson’s are aged 50 or over but younger people can get it too. One in 20 people with Parkinson’s is under the age of 40.
Everyone with Parkinson’s has different symptoms, however the most common symptoms are tremors, rigidity and slowness of movement. As well as affecting movement, people with Parkinson’s can find that other issues, such as tiredness, pain, depression and constipation, can have an impact on their day-to-day lives.
If you have Parkinson’s it is important to think about adapting your house to ensure it supports you while you experience symptoms. Alterations to the interior design of the house can support you when experiencing symptoms such as shuffling gait (when walking) and freezing when trying to move.
You may want to consider purchasing aids to reduce the risks of falls and increase independence with self-care activities (like bathing, eating and drinking, and getting in and out of bed and on and off chairs). In most cases introducing the right pieces of furniture can assist in maintaining a client’s independence, eliminating or significantly reducing risks of falls and minimising the risk of injuries and hospital admissions.
We know that introducing the right furniture also helps support carers in their caring role. Reducing the need to lift, pull or support the body weight of the person cared for reduces the burden on the carer and prevents unnecessary injuries to them. There are very attractive beds, armchairs and riser recliner chairs that would do the trick and would fit in with your decorative style.
We believe that replacing the bath with a wet room is vital in later stages of Parkinson’s; however if you would like to carry on using your bath during the earlier stages, there are aids to support you when you feel less confident but still able.