There was a question at a recent support group meeting, “now that we know my partner has Parkinson’s, do we need to sell our two-story house?” We went around the circle sharing thoughts and came to the conclusion that we can’t answer that question. Some of us have been able to modify our current homes so they would meet the needs of our partners, others have had to make bigger changes that even include assisted living arrangements. These decisions will depend on how the disease presents itself in each individual and how their symptoms progress. There may also be other factors that normal aging brings into the game for either of you. The key is to be open to the fact that there will have to be some changes and then figure out how to make those happen.

My husband and I were lucky in that we already lived in a single-story home when he was diagnosed. As his physical challenges progress, we think about making life easier for both of us, starting with the layout of the house. It’s pretty basic, we don’t put big pieces of furniture in the way. New purchases are tested out in the store before we bring them home, which can be interesting as we roll around on mattresses and practice getting in and out of chairs. The things we use more often are kept in easily accessible locations, our top shelves are getting emptier and emptier. We shower rather try to climb in and out of a bathtub.

I think the most important thing we do is to talk honestly about what is working and what isn’t. If we do need to make changes, we discuss them before they happen, surprises around the house really aren’t a great idea anymore. Planning smart takes only a few moments but can be lifesaving for us both as we age.

For more on creating a safe home environment, click here to download the Davis Phinney Foundation’s Home Safety Checklist.