Getting around

Parkinson’s can make getting around more difficult, but equipment like handrails, mobility aids or walking sticks may help.

Handrails

Handrails, or safety rails, are rails which you attach to a wall to help you balance. These can help you move around the house more independently. They are available in a variety of sizes and textures. They can be set up in different directions.

Handrails can give you more support as you move through areas of your house where it’s easier to fall, such as staircases, corners or entryways.

It’s important to think about what you want your grab rail or handrail to help you with as that can help decide which type of rail you need. For example, horizontal rails in your bedroom can help with getting dressed or getting in and out of bed.

Grab rails

Vertical handrails or grab rails from floor to ceiling may be useful for getting in and out of the bath, or next to a toilet where a lack of space means other rails won’t fit. They can also be fitted to help you access or leave your property.

Getting handrails installed

Speak to an occupational therapist or your local council. They may arrange an assessment from health or social services to see where hand or grab rails would fit in your home. 

In some places, services allow you to refer yourself for the assessment. In other areas, a health professional needs to complete the assessment for you. Your local council can tell you who to contact. 

Your local Age UK service may also be able to assess your home and install rails at a small cost. Search for Age UK services in your area on their website.

If you live in a housing association property, you should contact your landlord.

Walking sticks can improve your balance and give you extra support. They can be a helpful way to let people around you know that you may need extra room or time to move around.

Some people with Parkinson’s find this reduces anxiety caused by people crowding them as they walk, which could lead to freezing.

We’ve heard that some people with Parkinson’s might feel embarrassed about using walking aids. If you’re worried about using one for the first time, try to remember that there are lots of people in a similar situation.

Equipment that makes walking easier can improve your independence and confidence. 

Types of walking stick

• Wooden sticks. These have a set height and usually a curved handle.
• Metal sticks. These can be extendable (height-adjustable), folding, collapsible, and 3 or 4-footed. Handles can be curved or moulded, which means they are shaped to the hand’s natural shape so you can easily grip it.
• Elbow crutches. Some people find using 2 elbow crutches gives more support than traditional walking sticks.
• Walking sticks with folding seats. These are larger and heavier than most walking sticks, so may not be appropriate for everyday use. They might be useful for shopping or in social situations where you want to take breaks.
• Lasercane. These are designed to help people with Parkinson’s who freeze. The Lasercane projects a red laser beam onto the ground in front of your feet when walking. This cues you to step over the light when your feet freeze. Some people find a Lasercane very effective, but it can be difficult to see the laser beam in bright environments, such as outdoors on a sunny day.
• Nordic poles. These thinner, longer, lightweight poles are used for Nordic walking. In this style of walking, the specially designed poles help you move forwards. They often have replaceable tips to suit different surfaces, such as pavements or soft ground.

Read our information on freezing.

Choosing your walking stick

When choosing or adjusting your walking stick, it’s useful to keep these tips in mind.

• Wear your usual footwear.
• Stand with good upright posture. The handle should line up with the bump at the bottom of your wrist bone, with your arm hanging naturally at your side. This will mean that your elbow bends slightly when you hold the handle.
• Choose a stick which is comfortable and easy to carry. If you don’t have much upper body strength, you may find the heavier 3 or 4-footed sticks are more difficult to move forward and they may trip you up.
• Test your grip on the handle. Pick a size and shape of handle that lets you grip it as strongly as you can.

Walking sticks are tested to a maximum weight, so check that yours is suitable for you before buying.

Buying a walking stick

You might be able to borrow or be given a stick free on the NHS, either from a physiotherapist or your GP.

You’ll have a wider choice at most mobility shops and larger pharmacies. Here you can try different styles to find which gives you the right level of support.

Have a look at the prices of walking sticks online, to compare with sticks you could buy in shops. Amazon and eBay list many sellers and brands of walking sticks. Charity shops may also have walking sticks. If you are buying second-hand equipment, check that it’s not damaged or unsafe. 

You may find it helpful to have 2 or 3 walking sticks, so that one can be kept on each level of your house and another for when you go outside. 

Walking sticks should be regularly checked for wear and tear. If the tip of the stick (the ferrule) becomes worn, it must be replaced. Your local physiotherapy department can do this for you. They may only be able to do this for walking sticks that they have provided, as ferrules can come in different sizes.

Some people with Parkinson’s don’t want to use a wheelchair all the time, but have one at home if they need it or in their car for when they go out.

Some people find wheelchairs a good way of exercising because they can push it along and then sit in it when they get tired.

Manual wheelchairs can be moved by the person using the chair (self-propelled) or pushed by someone else (attendant-propelled). In both cases, the person moving the wheelchair will need a fair level of strength and fitness.

Collapsible wheelchairs

These have removable wheels. This can help you store the wheelchair more easily. It’s also possible to get a chair with a folding backrest with handles that fold down.

Power packs for wheelchairs

Many people attach a power pack to the bottom of their manual wheelchair, which means that less force is needed to push the chair. This can be helpful for longer outings.  

However, power packs can be difficult to attach to your wheelchair, so they may not be useful for short journeys. The power packs can be removed when you fold the wheelchairs, but many people prefer to keep them in place.

Local authorities often have wheelchair services that can give you advice on how to use and maintain your power pack and offer advice on grants or personal budgets which may be eligible to fund them. 

If you’re interested in a power pack, it’s important to ask whether it will fit your wheelchair before you buy it, as packs don’t fit all manual wheelchairs.

Power packs are also attached quite low to the ground, so they can get caught on steep ramps and other surfaces.

Manual wheelchair comfort and safety tips

• Always apply the brakes when your wheelchair is not moving.
• Adjust the footplates to the correct height so you can sit comfortably and move them out of the way when you are getting in or out of your chair.
• A cushion can help prevent excess pressure if you feel uncomfortable.

Choosing your wheelchair

Your wheelchair shouldn't be too heavy to lift. It should be easy to collapse if it’s put into the car regularly. 

Look for a wheelchair that has:

• Handles at the right height. The person pushing the wheelchair shouldn't have to bend down to reach them.
• Large enough wheels. To go over kerbs easily.
• Anti-tipping features. A lap strap can be helpful, especially when going over kerbs or single steps. A chest harness may also be helpful if you slide out of a chair, or a one-way glide sheet that is designed to limit how easy it is to slide forward. Speak to your occupational therapist about one-way glide sheets before you buy one. One-way glide sheets aren’t recommended without an assessment by an occupational therapist first. 
• Sturdy footplates. If you have dystonia or severe involuntary movements, the force of your movements can force the footplate into the wrong angle in cheaper chairs. Plastic footplates can break more easily, or can interfere with the freedom of the front wheels, especially for turns and reversing if they are pushed down. You could buy footboards to fit across your footplates, to make them stronger and better support your feet. Local authorities wheelchair services can advise on finding and using the most suitable equipment for you. If you have dystonia or dyskinesia, they may be able to provide you with a suitable wheelchair. 

Buying a wheelchair

Ask your GP or local hospital if they have wheelchair services. You may qualify for credit towards the cost of a wheelchair if you want to buy one yourself. 

If you’re eligible for a wheelchair in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you will be provided with one.

You may be able to hire or buy a wheelchair from charities such as the British Red Cross. Find out more about the British Red Cross wheelchair scheme on their website.

Borrowing or hiring a wheelchair 

You can usually borrow different wheelchairs from mobility centres so you can try it before buying one.

Shopmobility schemes allow you to hire an electric wheelchair when visiting some shops, shopping centres or leisure facilities. 

Visit the Shopmobility website.