The internet, apps and other digital tools provide a wealth of modern-day assistance to people living with Parkinson’s, from ways to monitor your symptoms to help and support from the Parkinson’s community, and tools to make everyday tasks easier.
Caution!
Gadgets to help you use a computer, tablet or mobile phone
These days, the companies that manufacture electronic devices like phones and computers pay much better attention to making sure they’re fully accessible for everyone, regardless of your physical abilities. There are some handy gadgets you can invest in too:
Accessibility on your device itself
Your smartphone should come with an inbuilt Accessibility section in your Settings, which can help with things like bigger text, a clearer display, voice control, and using your virtual assistant (Siri or Alexa) to complete tasks for you. Find more information on the Apple and Android websites, or contact your mobile phone company directly for help.
Keyboards
As well as adjusting your keyboard settings to make typing easier, (for instance, Sticky Keys allow you to operate a combination of keys using just one finger), you can also buy gadgets such as:
- A key guard is a rigid plate with holes positioned over each key on your keyboard, making it impossible to press two keys at once.
- Keyboards with larger or colour-coded keys can be useful if you find it difficult to accurately find or press keys on a standard keyboard
Mouse or touchpad
If tremor or stiffness is making using a mouse difficult, you can adjust your settings, for instance changing the speed and/or sensitivity of your movements to give you more time when double clicking, slowing down the cursor on the screen or providing visual cues as to where the cursor is moving.
You can also try a ‘rollerball’ mouse – a static device with a large ball on top, which can be moved using your fingers, thumbs and palms, and can offer more control.
Voice recognition, dictation, and text to speech
Voice recognition or dictation software converts the words you say into text or commands. This can be useful if you have problems typing or using a mouse. You can dictate text, navigate around your computer and use the Internet using voice commands.
Increasingly, computer operating systems also have built-in text to speech capabilities which means that content can be read to you. This can be very helpful if you have difficulty reading or have problems with your sight.
Gadgets to help with everyday tasks
A few ways that digital devices and the internet can help include:
- Use online banking and food shopping to save you physically visiting a bank or supermarket
- Setting reminders on your phone calendar to help with memory problems
- Voice control on your phone or laptop can help with all manner of daily tasks, from writing shopping lists to finding out the latest news headlines
- Use your phone calendar, an app or wearable device like an Apple Watch to keep a record of your medication and any changes to your symptoms (see our roundup of the best apps for people with Parkinson’s)
- VR (virtual reality) headsets, games consoles and online video workouts or training programmes (such as Zwift) can help you exercise safely at home
Digital symptom assessment tools
Increasingly, assessment tools are available that use computer programmes to monitor your symptoms and provide feedback to your care team based on its measurements which can help them prescribe more effective treatments.
This system assesses the motor (movement) symptoms of people with Parkinson’s for clinical trials using a patient kit linked to the internet. People taking part in the trials complete automated, video-guided motor assessments at home or in the clinic to provide precise data on symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia and dyskinesia.
This worn-on-the-wrist medical device continuously measures the movement of people with Parkinson’s at home when carrying out their daily activities. Its main component is the PKG™ Watch that automatically records your movement pattern data. Worn continuously for 6-10 days, it also vibrates to remind you when to take your medication. It offers a clearer picture than, for instance, momentary clinical observations or patient self-reporting, and allows your neurologist to better understand how you respond to treatment, and adjust your medication if necessary.
Find more information on new apps and devices to help your Parkinson’s on Parkinson’s Life
Finding Parkinson’s information online
Firstly, it’s important to stress: not all websites will contain reliable or up-to-date information.
When looking for Parkinson’s information online, a good place to start is your local or national Parkinson’s associations website, and the websites of your country’s official healthcare provider (for instance, the SNS – Sistema Nacional de Salud – in Spain or the Dutch National Health Care Institute). Your doctor or healthcare professional may also be able to advise or direct you to further reliable information.
The following websites may also be useful:
Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF)
Finding support online
The Parkinson’s community is very active online, and chatting to people with Parkinson’s, sharing Parkinson’s-related news and opportunities and having somewhere to share your own story can be a great way of staying positive.
Try connecting with people on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) – either by finding the social media profiles of trusted Parkinson’s organisations like ours or using the hashtag #Parkinsons and #Parkinson – or via forums on Parkinson’s organisation websites.