Choosing equipment and adaptations

To make sure you get the right equipment for you, trying before you buy and getting advice from an occupational therapist can really help. 

The equipment mentioned on our site may help with a range of Parkinson’s symptoms. We’ve written this information to be relevant to as many people with Parkinson’s as possible.

But it’s important to remember that not everyone with Parkinson’s will need or want to use equipment in all the ways covered on our site. And you might not need or want to use any of the equipment mentioned.

It might also be a long time before you need or want to explore using daily living equipment.

You could use our webpages as a reference guide, reading the sections relevant to your symptoms now. Or you may want to get ideas about types of equipment that could help you in the future.

There are many kinds of equipment available. There might also be types of equipment that we haven’t mentioned which could be useful. It’s important to talk to your health professionals about how your Parkinson’s symptoms affect your daily life, so they can suggest equipment suited to your circumstances and preferences.

Getting advice from an occupational therapist

Always get advice from an occupational therapist before you buy equipment. They will be able to recommend equipment based on your needs. 

Occupational therapists, or OTs for short, are healthcare professionals that help people having trouble with daily jobs and activities. They can help you find ways to manage those tasks more easily and live more independently. 

They may recommend exercises, ways of adapting the way you do something, or other kinds of treatment.

Occupational therapists can make recommendations based on your:

  • Parkinson’s symptoms
  • home environment. If you’re working, they can help you think about your work environment too
  • goals and preferences. They will ask you what kind of tasks are important to you and help you find equipment which can help
  • budget. They can also help you explore funding options and what might be available to you for free.

If an occupational therapist thinks a piece of equipment could be useful for you, they may be able to provide it or arrange minor adaptations to your home (such as handrails in a bathroom). Or they can suggest where to find suitable items. 

You can also ask your occupational therapist to show you pictures of equipment which might help. This way, you can visualise yourself using it.

Living Made Easy can also give you independent information and advice on choosing equipment. Visit the Living Made Easy website for more information.

You could also ask your physiotherapist, speech and language therapist or Parkinson’s nurse for their advice about equipment.

Finding an occupational therapist

You can be referred to an occupational therapist through your:

  • GP
  • council’s social services or social work department
  • health and social care trust (Northern Ireland). 

In some areas, an occupational therapist may be able to visit you at home. 

Unfortunately, in some areas, referral to an NHS occupational therapist may not be possible or could take a long time. Our helpline can help you work out what may be available near you. Call free on 0808 800 0303

You can also pay for private occupational therapy.

To find a private occupational therapist in your area, visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website.

Read our information on occupational therapy and Parkinson’s.

Trying before you buy

If you decide to buy a piece of equipment, it’s important to try it out first. There may be different options that you want to compare.

There may be an equipment demonstration centre near you that you can visit by appointment. These demonstration centres may be independent businesses, such as William Merritt, or they may be run by local authority services. For details of your nearest centre, ask at your GP surgery. 

You can also visit the Living Made Easy website. 

In Scotland, you can visit a Disabled Living Centre.

You may be able to hire some equipment, such as wheelchairs, from some local British Red Cross groups Age UK shops may also loan out equipment. There may be a fee for these services. 

At some mobility shops, such as Parkgate Mobility, you may be able to rent larger pieces of equipment such as stairlifts or scooters.

Help with funding

Occupational therapists can give you advice and may be able to help arrange funding for minor home adaptations, such as fitting grab rails or handrails by stairs.

For advice about more expensive home adaptations, such as stairlifts or accessible bathrooms, you should speak to an occupational therapist based in a social services department, or the health and social care services of your local authority.

For major changes to your home, you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant. Examples of major changes include:

  • an extension
  • fixed hoists
  • stairlifts
  • a new downstairs bathroom or shower unit.

If a Disabled Facilities Grant is available, an occupational therapist will assess your needs and will contact the relevant council departments.

Visit the GOV.UK website for more information about disabled facilities grants.

Funding for major home adaptations is often means tested. 

This means that the decision about whether you get money from the government or local authority to help pay for something you need will depend on how much money you have, including your savings.

To find out more about funding for major adaptations:

Parkinson’s UK Personal Assistance Grants

If you need help with funding physical activities, household items, or specialist equipment to help you with your Parkinson’s symptoms, we may be able to help.

If you meet the criteria, you could be eligible for a Parkinson’s UK Personal Assistance Grant. These grants are means tested and you must have a total combined household savings of £6,000 or less to apply. 

Read more about our personal assistance grants.

VAT

If you’re disabled or have a long-term condition, you shouldn’t be charged Value Added Tax (VAT) on products designed or adapted for your personal use or use at home.

This includes: 

  • stairlifts
  • adjustable beds
  • wheelchairs
  • alarms.

You also shouldn’t be charged VAT on:

  • installations, such as the cost for installing a stairlift or a ramp
  • repairs
  • maintenance
  • spare parts for equipment.

Depending on your needs, you can apply for a VAT exemption by:

  • asking the supplier of your equipment or services for a VAT relief form
  • applying online when purchasing VAT-free items on the internet
  • downloading a form to take into a shop when you make a qualifying purchase.

Find more information on VAT on the GOV.UK website.

The Parkinson’s UK Tech Guide

There are a lot of products that claim to be useful for people with Parkinson’s. Deciding if a product is right for you isn’t always easy.

Our Tech Guide provides reliable information about products for people with Parkinson’s, tested by people with Parkinson’s.

You can discuss any products you see in the guide with your occupational therapist. They can give their opinion about whether a product would work for you.

Please note that the guide features apps and technology, rather than more traditional everyday living equipment, like handrails or wheelchairs.

Explore the Tech guide.

The Parkinson’s UK online shop

Our online shop sells a range of daily living aids. 

Visit the Parkinson’s UK online shop. 

Or you can call the shop on 0330 124 3250.

Other useful contacts

Turn2us

Turn2us is a charity which  has information about possible sources of financial support for people affected by Parkinson’s. Visit the Turn2us website. 

Citizens Advice 

Citizens Advice can offer help, advice and information subjects including benefits, funding and allowances. Visit the Citizens Advice website.

Getting to know...an occupational therapist

"I love how a simple piece of advice or introducing a small change in how a person does something can have such a significant and positive impact on that person."

Meet Independent Occupational Therapist Emma Bracher and learn more about her work with people with Parkinson's.

Read more on our magazine

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Thank you

Thank you to the following experts who contributed to or reviewed this information:

  • Rebecca Boddington, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

  • Lauren Drake, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist, MY Therapy service, Mid Yorkshire Teaching Trust

  • Rachael Stringer, Occupational Therapist, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Thanks also to everyone living with or supporting someone with Parkinson's who provided feedback or helped produce this information.

Last updated

This content will next be reviewed within 3 years of that date. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]