When we bought our home almost 20 years ago, thankfully we recognized the fact that we were both getting older and decided we didn’t want to have to negotiate stairs. We didn’t know that within a few years one of us would be diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and we would be looking at a different scenario as we try to safely “age in place”.

What does it look like to age in place with PD? We aren’t really sure because this disease can strike people differently. When my father had Parkinson’s, he needed a walker early on and was in a wheelchair for the last 2 years of his life. If my husband reaches that point, we will have a problem because our house is not really walker or wheelchair friendly. The only accommodation we actually have made to our house so far is putting grab bars in our shower to prevent falls. We are in the process of buying a new bed with an adjustable base to help provide the support he may need as things progress.

The thing that matters most is that any changes we make have to be livable for both of us. I am his chauffeur so the car we bought had to be something I could easily drive. We use the same shower so the grab rails need to be placed out of the way but there when we need them. My sleep is as important as his, so the bed we choose has to be one we can both be happy with. Our home needs to be safe but usable as we both navigate the challenges PD and general aging bring.