Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with symptoms such as shakiness, tremors, rigid muscles, and general unsteadiness. As PD progresses, it can make the activities of daily living, from meal preparation to grooming, more challenging. To make routine tasks easier, assistive devices and products have been developed using new and updated technology. Here are a few that have been shown to be very useful to individuals with PD:

Utensils

Liftware

Sensors in the handles of these high-tech eating tools detect when your hand begins to tremor and quickly react to cancel the tremor and steady the utensil. The Liftware stabilizer handle comes with a spoon attachment, but fork and soup spoon attachments are also available for purchase. The device retails for $295 and attachments are $19.95 each. For more information, visit the Liftware website.

Swivel Tremor Utensils

A swivel component of these utensils is engineered to remain level through a shaking hand or tilted wrist. This design is suited for individuals with tremors or poor grip. The fork and spoon are sold for $25.95 each and can be ordered here.

The SpillNot®

The SpillNot® is a simple hanging container with a webbed loop handle that allows you to place an open beverage, such as coffee, soda, or water, inside. The unique design steadies the cup and prevents spills when walking or during periods of unsteadiness. You can order one for $12.95 from the SpillNot® website.

Clothing

MagnaReady®

MagnaReady® provides men’s and women’s dress shirts with magnetically-infused buttons, making it easier for anyone with a tremor or limited dexterity to dress independently. These classic dress shirts come in a variety of colors and styles and are all made from high-quality material. Prices range from $62.95 to $64.95 and can be found here.

BUCK & BUCK®

BUCK & BUCK® is a clothing provider that specializes in designing and manufacturing adaptive attire. They transform dressing from a complicated chore to a simple task by adding snaps, VELCRO®, and zippers to everyday wear. More information and items can be found on their website.

Computer Aids

MouseCage v1.05

This software automatically smooths the mouse cursor motion to reduce the effects of unsteady or shaky hands. MouseCage activates a “cage” mode to reduce the cursor movements during tremors. It is available for download here for $39.95.

BigKeys Keyboards

BigKeys LX is a desktop keyboard with oversized keys to make typing easier for people with Parkinson’s disease. All of the keys are one-inch squares, which is almost four times the size of keys on a standard keyboard. It has a retail price of $185 and can be ordered from the BigKeys website.