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Edward, In response to your message about your 74 year old mother who has PD, here are some things we do for our 76 year old father: 1. Once a week my sister takes him for a short drive. He can't tolerate a long one. She brings her mother or father-in-law along for company. They explore back country roads and talk about the weather and getting old. 2. Once a week my brother drives him to the library. They argue about politics all the way there and back. 3. Once a week I drive him down to the town and we stroll together - around the school track, or up and down the main street, or around a residential block. He likes the arm-in-arm physical and emotional support. 4. My siblings and I try to walk together once a week to talk about our shared responsibility, to conjure up new strategies to help all of us cope, to laugh and cry, etc... 5. I cook a one dish casserole for my father each week. He gets quite a few nutritious meals out of it and the consistency is such that he is able to eat it with a spoon. Let me know if you'd like the recipe. : ) 6. Speaker phone, velcro-close sneakers, touch sensitive lamp, motorized recliner chair, grab bars all over the place, long handled shoe horn, bendable straw in a travel mug, 7. He wears a sleeveless light-weight nylon ski vest for warmth - easier to put on/off. 8. A cheery home health care aide visits 1 hour each weekday to help with shaving, manicure, haircut, make his bed, wash dishes, put out the day's medications, make lunch, provide company and stimulation, etc. We went through our local Office for the Aging (I'm rural upstate NY) to get him a reduced rate - I think $5/hour thru Medicare. Also, through this office and for a modest fee, he has a Shopper who delivers groceries to him each week. 9. My father lifts hand weights and walks on a treadmill. 10. We just bought a book recommended by fellow listmember John Cottingham. "Parkinson's Disease: The Complete Guide For Patients And Caregivers" . My father has been reading it intently; I haven't been able to get my hands on it yet. Perhaps our strategies aren't right for you, but they might give you ideas. I hope others respond publicly to your message. I'm looking for more ideas myself. Despite our efforts, my Dad still has too much time alone. Too much time to think about how difficult his life is. He needs a wife! Or a constant companion. Good luck. Val Mitchell AOL: Val of NY [log in to unmask]