Handy domestic tools for people living with Parkinson’s

• Plate guard

Plate guards can be fitted onto ordinary plates to help those who can only eat with one hand or have an unsteady grip. The inward facing slope helps with food collection and prevents spillages.

• Tailor-made cutlery

Electronic stabilising handles are designed specifically to help people with hand tremors. The utensils are tailor-made to counteract the effect of tremors and have inbuilt sensors and motors to help combat tremors.

• Kettle pouring stand

Making your morning ‘cuppa’ has never been easier with kettle tippers that help users pour boiling water without lifting the kettle up – reducing the risk of spills. The frames wrap around your kettle and are held in place with a secure Velcro strap.

• Foam tubing

This tubing slides easily over popular household items such as hairbrushes and toothbrushes to provide a firmer grip.

• Electric razor

Parkinson’s symptoms like dyskinesia and tremors can make shaving difficult or dangerous. An electric razor is one simple swap that can speed up a morning routine and avoid nicks and cuts.

• Grabber tools

These tools are ergonomically designed to mimic how a finger and thumb pick things up. They help users reach for things high or low, small or large around the house without stretching or bending.

• Touch lamps

Touch table lamps help to avoid a struggle with tricky light switches. Simply touch the base lightly to control the light output and reach the desired brightness.

• Reading rest

For those who find it hard to keep a book still, consider a reading rest for a more comfortable reading experience. Simply clip the book in and adjust the angle as required.

• Button and zip hook

You can find many easy-to-use, low-cost hooks that help combat fiddly buttons and zips while dressing and undressing.

• Roller Mouse

A wireless Roller Mouse sits directly in front of the computer keyboard and the cursor can be moved by touching the roller bars lightly. Users can switch control between hands when fatigue sets in – improving accuracy and increasing the amount of time spent online in comfort.

• Keyguards

Keyguards are placed above the keys on a standard computer keyboard and stop people with hand tremors hitting unwanted keys while typing. While they slow typing speed, they also improve accuracy and comfort.

Sources:

Author: Roisin McCormack

Parkinson’s Life

Recommended by Newcastle Parkinson’s NSW Support Group