A person living with Parkinson’s disease may experience changes in Parkinson’s mobility from one room to another. Turning in a narrow space, carrying a cup, answering a question while walking, or getting up during an “off” period can all change how difficult a task feels.

That is why safer mobility is about more than reminding someone to “be careful.” It is often more helpful to look at the whole movement routine, the person, the task, the environment and the factors that may affect movement that day.

A study published October 8, 2026, used a modified Delphi process to identify important components of mobility assessment and intervention for people with Parkinson’s disease. The process included 60 people with lived experience and 43 clinicians or researchers. Participants contributed through interviews, focus groups and two rounds of surveys before reaching consensus on the proposed components.

What Did the Consensus Emphasize?

Physical and cognitive abilities ranked among the highest priorities for assessment. For intervention, exercise, movement strategies and cognitive strategy training ranked highly.

Participants also emphasized:

• Integrating different aspects of mobility during assessment
• Tailoring strategies to the individual’s Parkinson’s symptoms
• Including care partners when appropriate
• Considering both physical and cognitive factors that may affect movement

Importantly, this was not a clinical trial. The study did not test one specific program or demonstrate that a particular strategy prevents falls. Instead, researchers identified potential building blocks for future assessment and intervention.

For families, the findings are useful as a way to think about mobility, but they should not be treated as a do-it-yourself treatment plan.

Look at the Task, Not Just the Diagnosis

Mobility can change depending on what a person is doing and what is happening around them.

Consider something as familiar as getting up from a chair and walking to the kitchen. The person may need to:

1. Shift their weight and stand.
2. Establish their balance.
3. Begin walking.
4. Navigate furniture or other obstacles.
5. Turn toward a counter or refrigerator.
6. Remember what they intended to get.
7. Possibly carry something back.

Fatigue, freezing, attention, anxiety, vision, footwear, floor surfaces, noise, urgency, sleep and medication timing may all influence the experience.

When a mobility problem occurs, it can be helpful to note what was happening at the time.

Was it:

• During a turn?
• At a doorway?
• While talking or answering a question?
• Near the end of a medication cycle?
• After a poor night’s sleep?
• When the person was tired or rushing?

These observations can give a physical therapist, occupational therapist, neurologist, or other qualified professional useful information when assessing the situation.

Care Partners Can Help Without Taking Over

Care-partner involvement was another important part of the study’s consensus.

A care partner may notice patterns, help reinforce a professionally recommended strategy, make an environmental adjustment, or provide a calm cue when needed. But supporting safer mobility does not mean supervising every step or taking away a person’s independence.

Ask what kind of help feels useful.

One person may prefer a short verbal cue. Another may need quiet so they can concentrate. Touching, pulling, or moving someone without warning could interfere with balance or feel uncomfortable or disrespectful.

A physical or occupational therapist can help determine which strategies are appropriate and teach both the person with Parkinson’s and their care partner how to use them safely.

Questions Families Can Bring to a Healthcare Professional

Families may find it helpful to discuss questions such as:

• Which aspects of movement should be assessed, strength, balance, freezing, attention, vision, or something else?
• Do mobility challenges change based on the time of day or medication cycle?
• Which movement or cognitive cues are appropriate for this person?
• Should an assistive device, footwear, or home setup be evaluated?
• How should a care partner respond during freezing or a loss of balance?
• When should a new change in mobility prompt medical evaluation?

Sudden or rapidly worsening mobility, fainting, new weakness, an injury, or an acute change in thinking warrants prompt medical attention.

Supporting Safer Routines at Home

Once a qualified professional recommends an individualized plan, consistency can help.

Families and caregivers can support daily routines by:

• Keeping frequently used pathways clear
• Placing commonly needed items within practical reach
• Allowing enough time for movement instead of rushing
• Using agreed-upon cues consistently
• Reviewing the plan when symptoms, medications, equipment, or the home environment change

It can also be useful to practice strategies in the actual routines that matter most. A cue that works in an open therapy space may work differently in a crowded kitchen, at a doorway, or when getting out of a car.

Families can ask a therapist to observe or simulate activities such as getting to the bathroom at night, preparing a meal, entering or exiting a vehicle, or navigating a commonly used part of the home.

It is also important to pay attention to near-falls, not just falls. A pattern of almost losing balance can provide valuable information that should be shared with the person’s healthcare team.

Supporting Independence While Promoting Safety

Safer mobility does not mean trying to eliminate every challenge or taking over tasks that a person can still do safely.

Instead, it means understanding the individual and identifying what support may help them participate in daily life as safely and independently as possible.

ComForCare Home Care North San Diego can support non-medical daily routines and reinforce family-approved care plans within the caregiver’s scope. Home care does not replace physical therapy, occupational therapy, neurology care, or medical evaluation.

If your family is navigating changes in mobility, having a thoughtful conversation with the person’s healthcare team can be a helpful first step. Small observations about when, where and how movement becomes difficult may help professionals better understand what support is needed.

Safer mobility is not a promise that a fall will never happen. It is a person-centered process of understanding the person, the task, the environment and the support that may help that day.

If you or a loved one is navigating changes in mobility with Parkinson’s, you don’t have to figure it out alone. ComForCare Home Care North San Diego can provide compassionate, non-medical support with daily routines while helping reinforce family-approved care plans.

Learn more about how we can support you or your loved one at home. Call 858-247-1005 to start a conversation.

This article provides general educational information and is not medical advice. Consult qualified healthcare professionals for individualized assessment and recommendations.

Source: OTJR via PubMed — Safer Mobility Behavior Assessment and Intervention for People With Parkinson’s Disease: A Modified Delphi Study

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