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Bonnie wrote: >My brother recently mentioned that he & his wife were going to add on to >their house making a separate but joined home for my parents. I was wondering >if any of you who have had home built could pass on any specific suggestions >or recomendations. My dad is doing well enough now, but our family is looking >into the future. Just off the top of my head - here are a few thoughts--but I am no expert. Wider than normal doorways to allow access with wheelchair or walker frames. Patterns (?tiles) which "lead" from one area to another -to provide visual walking cues. Open plan space, no narrow hallways. Build ensuite close to bed - with hand rails for finding way at night. Taps - with swing on and off function, easy to turn, with mixed hot and cold. No carpets which tend to make people "stick" Cork floors are warm and soft and easy care. Rubber backed rugs (if you must have rugs) which don't slip. Higher than normal chairs (with arm rests to push up on) with firm bases which can't be tipped over. Higher than normal bed height - makes bedmaking and getting in and out easier. No low soft sofas. You may like to know that the Parkinson's Association of WA recently gave a grant to a local researcher who presented the results of this research (and a subsequent Churchill Fellowship) at the Perth Conference. A report by Gretta Peachment (Consultant, Facilities and Planning, the Homes of Peace, Perth WA) titled "Designing The Environment for End-Stage Parkinson's Disease" is available from our Association office. Whilst I realise that "end or "late" stage PD is not what you were thinking of, and I don't want to suggest that everyone will need such drastic alterations in home environment, I do know that there are some little things which can make a huge difference in the built environments of both home and outside. We, for example, have just purchased a new vehicle and one of the specifications were that it be high up off the ground to make access easier. So we bought one of the baby 4 wheel drives and Bob finds getting in and out a breeze now. If you would like to email me off list with your details (including your snail mail address) I can give you details. The report won't be available for another few weeks due to production details. Sincerely Joy Graham (CG Bob, PD 7+ years)