## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [Management & Lifestyle](/living-with-parkinsons/management) ## Breadcrumb - [Home](/) - [Living with Parkinson's](/living-with-parkinsons) - [Management & Lifestyle](/living-with-parkinsons/management) # Living Alone ## 💡 Quick Summary - Daily strategies for living along with Parkinson’s include adapting your home, using a [home safety](/living-with-parkinsons/management/activities-daily-living/home-safety "Home Safety") checklist and helpful tools, creating a schedule, staying connected and exploring medical alert systems and transportation options. - Living alone with Parkinson’s can lead to emotional difficulties like [apathy](/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/apathy "Apathy"), fatigue and social isolation; support from a doctor, social worker or mental health counselor can help. - Planning for the future is important. Choose a health care proxy, explore assisted living options and ask for help when needed to maintain independence. ![Man playing fetch with dog in the yard](/sites/default/files/styles/no_sizing/public/images/LivingAlone.jpg?itok=cW0vIW2U) Many people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) live alone, which is an experience that comes with its own benefits and challenges. Support is available for people with PD who live alone to help them navigate daily life and stay connected. ## Emotional Challenges of Living Alone - ### Accepting Your Situation As a person living alone with Parkinson’s, your day-to-day experience is different from someone who lives with a spouse or care partner. Remember that each person with PD manages the disease in their own way, and that you and your experience are valid. - ### Social Isolation Living alone with PD offers a sense of independence, but it may also feel isolating. Resources like [AARP’s Connect2Affect assessment](https://connect2affect.org/assessment/) are available to help identify symptoms of social isolation. If you experience feelings of apathy or fatigue for more than five days over a two-week period, reach out to a medical professional to discuss treatment for depression. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to a social worker or mental health counselor. ## Stay Connected Living alone does not mean you are alone — there are plenty of people who can help support you. - ### Network of Support - Family - Friends - Neighbors - Coworkers - Therapist/counselor - Medical team - Support group - Faith community Pets can also provide support. Pets can be registered as an [emotional support animal](https://usaservicedogregistration.com/services/emotional-support-animal/), which can help ease anxiety and provide therapeutic support in public places. - ### Stay Connected from Home - **Join a support group.** Support groups allow you to share your experiences and engage with the PD community. Many support groups now offer virtual meeting options. Call our Helpline 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) to find a support group near you and join [PD Conversations](https://www.pdconversations.org/s/), our online network of support. - **Talk with others.** [PD Solo Network](https://www.parkinson.org/PDSolo) is a virtual network for people with PD who live alone, by choice or circumstance. Join this network to build your community of support, share ideas, concerns, brainstorm strategies, suggestions and resources. - **Volunteer or tutor.** Search [VolunteerMatch](https://www.volunteermatch.org/) to find opportunities to share your skills with others. - **Attend a Parkinson’s Foundation webinar.** Register for a [Wellness Wednesday](/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth "PD Health @ Home") event to gain strategies for living well with PD, and get the latest updates on Parkinson’s research and care. - **Get involved in your local community.** Attend a town meeting or an event hosted by your local library. - **Participate in an online exercise class.** Our [Fitness Friday](/resources-support/online-education/pdhealth "PD Health @ Home") series provides free, at-home workouts designed for people with Parkinson’s. - **Reach out to a chat service.** Chat services like [Well Connected](https://covia.org/programs/well-connected/) allow you to engage in friendly conversation and build social connections. ## Tips for Living Alone with PD Living alone with Parkinson’s involves adapting to your circumstances. Here are a few tips for making everyday tasks easier to manage: - ### Tailor your living space to your needs. One benefit of living alone is the ability to organize your own space. Place essential items where you can easily see and access them, so you can find what you need when you need it. - ### Use the Home Safety Considerations checklist. Use the Parkinson’s Foundation [Home Safety Considerations checklist](/sites/default/files/documents/safety_considerations_from_cc_book_0.pdf "safety_considerations_from_cc_book_0.pdf") to ensure your home is safe and easily accessible. You may also request a Home Safety Evaluation from your doctor. - ### Keep a pair of pliers handy. This multi-purpose tool can help assist you with opening jars or bags. - ### Create a scheduling strategy. Schedule commitments around the times of day when you typically feel your best. Identify how many tasks you can usually accomplish on a “good” day or a “bad” day to avoid over-scheduling. Set timers for your medications so you remember to take them on schedule. - ### Reach out to your network of support. Ask for help with challenging tasks. Even if you are able to take care of yourself, shifting some responsibility can help you save energy for things you enjoy, like hobbies or social interaction. Keep a list of people who you know are willing to help. - ### Research medical alert systems. These wearable devices can bring help quickly in an emergency. - ### Find alternative transportation options. If you are unable to drive or need transportation assistance, research transportation options in your area such as busses, trains, subways, taxis or ride sharing companies. ## Planning for the Future Living alone adds the responsibility of keeping yourself safe, both now and in the future. Starting the planning process early will ensure that you have control over important life decisions later on, such as choosing an [assisted living facility](/library/fact-sheets/assisted-living "Finding the Right Assisted Living Facility") or [nursing home](/library/fact-sheets/skilled-nursing "Finding the Right Skilled Nursing Facility"). You may also consider signing a health care proxy form. This document names someone you trust as your proxy and allows them to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. It may be difficult to admit you need assistance after living independently for many years, but safety should always be the priority. If you have trouble moving around your space or accomplishing daily tasks, reach out to someone you trust to adjust your living situation. ### Parkinson's Foundation Helpline **You may live alone, but that does not mean you are alone.** Contact our [**Helpline**](/resources-support/helpline "Helpline") at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) or for answers to your Parkinson’s questions. Helpline specialists can assist you in English or Spanish, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. [Learn More](/resources-support/helpline) *Page reviewed by Dr. Tracy Tholanikunnel, Assistant Professor of Movement Disorders at the University of Florida, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.* ## Related Materials Videos & Webinars ### [ Expert Briefing: Living Alone: Home Safety & Management ](/library/videos/living-alone) [Watch Now](/library/videos/living-alone) Podcasts ### [ Episode 111: Alone in a Crowd: Overcoming Isolation ](/library/podcast/111) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/111) Podcasts ### [ Episode 118: Managing Mental Health Problems with Parkinson’s Disease ](/library/podcast/118) [Listen Now](/library/podcast/118) ## Related Blog Posts ![living alone blog](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/livingalone-blog.png?h=c12e0b96&itok=XfiYiGbM) Tips for Daily Living ### [ Tips for Living Alone with Parkinson’s ](/blog/tips/living-alone) READ NOW ![Couple sitting on the couch on a tablet](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/PDHealthAtHome.jpg?h=ed9ce7df&itok=G-WF0Oxl) Raise Awareness ### [ 10 Most Popular PD Health @ Home Virtual Events ](/blog/awareness/pdhealth-2020) READ NOW ![Asian couple being supportive](/sites/default/files/styles/500x360/public/images/mentalhealthtips-conditionmoodsleep-blog.png?h=f0ffb5c0&itok=GxNXmMGr) Tips for Daily Living ### [ Mental Health Tips for Cognition, Mood and Sleep ](/blog/tips/mental-health-tips) READ NOW ### Connect with Others Explore our PD Conversations discussion groups to find answers or talk to others going through similar experiences. 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