Care Home Design for People with Parkinson’s Disease

• People with Parkinson’s Disease have specific needs that should be addressed through thoughtful care home design, as the condition affects both physical and mental health.
• Key design considerations include installing mobility aids, using non-slip flooring, eliminating clutter to reduce fall risks, and incorporating adaptive furniture to enhance comfort and independence.
• Supporting mental health is equally vital, with recommendations such as creating outdoor spaces, providing areas for social interaction, and offering activities like art or music therapy.
• Consulting with professionals experienced in care home design can help ensure tailored solutions that meet the unique requirements of residents with Parkinson’s Disease.

A person with Parkinson’s Disease has additional needs compared to other care home residents. Because the disease is particularly common in the ageing population, it’s important that your care home is set up to support people with this condition. This relies heavily on how the care home is designed, so let’s take a closer look. 

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative condition in which the brain’s neurons are progressively damaged over a period of time. This leads to symptoms that include shaking, sluggish movements, inflexibility, balance issues and memory problems. 

Though the disease affects a person’s physical health and safety, it can also impact mental health too. 

6 Care Home Design Considerations For Parkinson’s Disease

• Mobility aids: Grab bars, handrails and ramps are just some of the aids you can incorporate throughout a care home. You will also need to design with wheelchairs and walkers in mind too, such as ensuring that everything is accessible for wheelchair users and that doorways are wide enough to accommodate chairs and walkers. Another important factor is purchasing adaptive eating utensils to help people who experience tremors, and putting them in an accessible location. 

• Furniture: Adjustable beds and chairs can give care home residents in general that extra bit of independence and comfort, but they are especially important for those with Parkinson’s. Depending on the model, remote-controlled furniture can adjust headrests, footrests and lumbar support, and can really make a difference. 

• Flooring: Consider flooring carefully and ensure that trip hazards, such as rugs, are either not used or safely tacked down. You may want to consider installing non-slip flooring in areas such as bathrooms or outdoor areas where the risk of slipping increases. 

• Eliminate clutter: People with Parkinson’s are more prone to trips and falls, so limiting risk is essential. You can do this by carrying out a health and safety assessment. Clear away clutter and keep walkways tidy. A particularly dangerous culprit is pull cords, so tuck them away or get rid of them completely in favour of touch, motion or sound-activated lamps and other devices. 

• Support mental health: A person with Parkinson’s Disease may be vulnerable to anxiety or low moods. As such, it’s important to take care of their mental health along with their physical health. Ensuring that outdoor spaces are included in the design is recommended, as access to nature and fresh air has been shown to boost mood. You may also want to ensure that there are plenty of spaces set aside for sociability and other activities, such as art or music therapy, as all of these things can help support a person’s mental health. 

• Consult with a professional: The best way to ensure a care home is catered to the needs of your residents is to consult with an expert who has experience in property construction and design, such as the team here at Aedficie, who can give you tailored recommendations based on your particular project. 

Are you designing and constructing a care home with Parkinson’s in mind? Here at Aedifice, we are specialist property consultants and surveyors with vast experience in the care industry. For helpful and tailored consultancy on your project anywhere in the UK, please contact our team today.