Parkinson's - advice with computer mice / keyboards

[LostInTheColonies]

Have just spent time with my parents over Xmas... DF (85) was diagnosed with Parkinson's 5 years ago. He's right-handed with a good old tremor in his right hand. He spends quite a bit of time on his computer and has the most ridiculously small mouse, and because of the tremor uses his left hand. it's painfully slow to watch, and must be so, so frustrating. He admits it's not easy but doesn't know how/where to start any more ☹

So - recommendations - are particular mice better / easier than others? Trackerballs? And what about keyboards?

Sadly I'm not in the same country as them so packed as much IT support in as I could over Xmas 😁 but would love to be able to make things easier for him. I don't live close (like a flight plus a 4.5hr drive) but can do research for him!

bradykinesia (slowness of movement) is a symptom of Parkinson's, it's incredibly frustrating to watch, it was the first thing I spotted with mum, even before the tremor. A different mouse might not make much difference. On the plus side when she got her meds right the tremor almost stopped. She's about 10 years post diagnosis now. The other thing I hadn't realised was a symptom is apathy, again quite frustrating that she just doesn't care about some things anymore. Parkinson's is quite complex and often different in different people.

The mouse is so small he can hardly grip it 🤣 Clearly needs to be changed, and if some types are easier to use than others then it would make sense to head in that direction...

And yes, I'd certainly noticed the slowness. I can't imagine how frustrating it is.

Would he prefer to use his right hand? A vertical mouse (as you grip round it more) with some anti tremor software like Steady Mouse might be easier than trying to learn to use his left hand at this point

Thanks @CMOTDibbler - hadn't come across that software, and the website it's on has taken me down a very useful rabbit hole.

Active Hands is a brilliant company, and they are so helpful with advice on all the products from a lived experience perspective too. I have one working arm and lots of bits from them

My dad has Parkinson's and prefers to use an iPad with a stylus pen on the screen. I think you can also get stylus pens for PCs (which work on a mouse mat).

My dad finds the bigger movements he can make with a stylus pen much easier to manage.

My dad is nearly 80 but has always loved technology and finds it easy to adapt to new things. We bought him an Alexa and a Ring doorbell and he now sends messages via voice note - all sorts of things that help him communicate without not always needing to use his hands.

I hope you're able to find a good solution. PD is horrible but there are also lots of good resources to help with accessibility.

Thanks @stripedcurtainsintheparlour - DF also has always been into computing - as far back as 1959 when it involved punch-cards (found his lecture notes at Xmas time as well!). And he was given an Alexa for Xmas (so far mainly used for shopping lists). Phone updated at Xmas too, which should also help.

He spends ages with spreadsheets (!) so is kind of stuck with a laptop/pc for the moment but I have the tablet idea tucked away 😁

It's been tricky getting him to allow himself to accept that he might benefit from tools/tech to make things easier rather than insisting that he can manage...

It's been tricky getting him to allow himself to accept that he might benefit from tools/tech to make things easier rather than insisting that he can manage... Well, that involves admitting to himself that he is less competent than he was, doesn’t it?

@MereDintofPandiculation - yes, you're absolutely right! We got quite a lot of traction over Xmas, with using his blue badge and a chair that elevates, amongst other things. I'm quite some distance away so all I can do at the moment is feed him suggestions & recommendations...

You've had good advice on Active Hands. A general rule ime would be something well weighted and larger. An OT would be useful for this and general day to day items, they visit the bouse and see what gadgets might suit. We are not in a big city but have a very well stocked shop for all of this type of thing, there might be something similar nearby. In Ireland you get the OT stuff through the public system and what you buy privately eg in the nursing shop, you get tax relief on. Some v handy appliances available. Best of luck to him, it's a horrible one 😔

Have you looked into AbilityNet? They can give specific advice based on accessibility need. They don’t sell items themselves but can advise which ones might be worth looking at / into.
they have some volunteers depending on where he is in the country, they can sometimes go to give digital support or help with set up etc.

My husband was diagnosed of Parkinson’s Disease a couple of years ago, he had severe fatigue, difficulty with mobility and sleeping. He was placed on Sinemet 3 times daily, which helped but only for a short while. So we decided to try alternative treatment and began on PD-5 protocol , It has made tremendous difference for my husband, he had improved walking balance, muscle strength and he is now very active. His Parkinson’s is totally under control, we got the treatment from binehealthcenter. com. This treatment is a breakthrough for PWP!