In October 2025, the Brian Grant Foundation (BGF) hosted a webcast featuring three Parkinson’s advocates sharing their personal practical tips, tricks, and adaptive tools that make daily life easier. The panelists—Bryce Perry (podcaster, diagnosed at 40), Brian Campkin (advocate and podcast co-host, diagnosed in 2018), and Kat Hill (author and co-founder of the Women’s Parkinson’s Project, diagnosed at 48)—discussed everything from medication reminders to travel hacks, all moderated by Amy Lavallee of BGF.
What made this session special? They’re real strategies from people living with Parkinson’s every day.
Medication Management
Pill Bottle Cap Timer
Bryce Perry uses a pill bottle cap timer (available on Amazon) that has a built-in display that shows the exact time the bottle was last opened, helping prevent missed or double doses. No more wondering if he took his doses or not, he can just look at the cap and know for certain.
Multiple Device Alerts
Brian Campkin sets up his medication schedule with repeating calendar alerts on his iPhone, iPad, and computer. With reminders popping up on multiple devices, one of them always gets his attention.
The Visual System
Kat Hill sets pills out in the container lid before busy times (like lunch with friends). Pills gone = taken. Pills still there = need to take them. Simple visual confirmation.
When You’re Out and About
Amy Lavallee keeps applesauce pouches with her when she goes out. They don’t need refrigeration and make taking pills easy when water isn’t available (like at the symphony). No more chalky yellow mouths in public!
Fast Absorption Tip
You can chew carbidopa/levodopa pills for faster absorption, or get them under your tongue. Fair warning: they taste like chalk and turn your mouth yellow.
Travel and Safety
Portable Peace of Mind
Brian Campkin travels with suction-cup handrails that can be set up in any bathroom—such as hotels or friends’ homes. The suction cups are incredibly strong with clips that lock down. This simple tool eliminated his anxiety about being away from home. You can find them on Amazon by searching “suction cup handle.”
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
Free at many airport ticket counters (over 325 airports worldwide; coming soon to SFO), this lanyard identifies that you need extra help or patience. Amy wears it when navigating airports and getting on planes. It helps her feel confident using the accommodations she’s entitled to.
The program isn’t just for Parkinson’s—it covers all hidden disabilities including anxiety. Bonus: sometimes you get moved up in long lines.
Bryce reflected that 15 years ago, he’d never have worn something drawing attention to his condition. “But the more we all do it, it becomes less of a stigma. It becomes normal.”
Learn more at Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Daily Living Made Easier
Bed Mobility
Getting in and out of bed can be challenging. Here’s what has helped for the panelists:
- Comfort Linens (comfortlinen.com) – Sheets designed by a physiotherapist specializing in Parkinson’s. They’re slippery in the middle for easy movement but have “landing strips” on the edges so you don’t slide off
- “Scoot your tush” – Kat Hill’s technique: roll your body as one unit and use your elbow to push up rather than pulling your body up with your abs.
- Attitude matters – Brian pretends he’s “wrestling an alligator” every morning. Being competitive, he’s not losing that battle!
Laundry Without the Back Pain
Amy Lavallee’s “Laundry Turtle” is a game-changer for front-loading washers. This device with handles sits on top of wet laundry. Shift the bin so clothes fall on top, grab the handles, and transfer everything to the dryer in one motion. No more constant bending.
Bonus tip: Sit on a stool when loading and sorting.
Kitchen Hacks
- Pot holders with grippies work for opening medication bottles AND protecting hands from hot pans—double duty!
- Pre-set serving dishes with notes for dinner parties. Kat puts notes in bowls like “salad goes here” or “cranberry sauce” to reduce cognitive load and prevent forgotten items
- Adult sippy cups with lids prevent spills when walking with tremor
- One hand in pocket when unloading dishwasher to prevent dropping things
Cleaning Made Simple
Use a dedicated toilet brush (NOT the one from the toilet!) for cleaning the shower. It gets into corners better than a sponge and requires less bending.
Mental Health and Mindset
Daily Gratitude Practice
Kat Hill writes down three things she’s grateful for every day. This practice interrupts the “rabbit hole” of Parkinson’s worries—disease progression, not feeling good, wondering what’s coming tomorrow. When she starts spiraling, the gratitude practice helps shift her mood. If that’s not enough, she calls a friend.
For those with writing difficulties: use voice-to-text or Siri.
Humor as Medicine
All panelists emphasized using humor to take power away from Parkinson’s and reduce stigma. Kat believes “the words we use to narrate our own experience, especially to ourselves, are really powerful.”
Living Fully Today
Bryce Perry’s metaphor: Living with Parkinson’s is like having a milk carton with an expiration date you’re never told. You have two choices: live fully, squeezing every ounce out of life, or waste the time you have.
Brian Campkin’s philosophy: “There are two ways to wake up in the morning—happy or sad. I think it’s a decision. And if I wake up sad, it’s up to me to overcome that.”
Let Go of Perfect
Amy Lavallee reminds us: “You don’t need to be perfect.” Dropped a stitch while knitting? It’s made with love. Not the perfect mom? You’re showing up and putting in effort. That’s a freeing attitude to embrace.
Resources You May Not Know About
Assistive Technology Programs
Every U.S. state has an Assistive Technology Act Program that loans equipment to try before buying. California residents can check the California Department of Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Program.
In Canada, the Neil Squire Society uses 3D printers to create custom adaptive tools at affordable prices.
Nighttime Stiffness Relief
Bryce Perry uses magnesium spray on the bottom of his feet and calves before bed. He reports it helps reduce toe curling, stiffness, and restlessness. Available on Amazon for around $7-8.
The Bottom Line
From $7 pill cap timers to gratitude practices to portable handrails, these strategies are practical, affordable, and tested by real people. But perhaps more valuable than any specific hack is the reminder that attitude matters, community matters, and it’s possible to live fully and joyfully with Parkinson’s disease.
You don’t have to do everything perfectly. Start with one thing that resonates—try the medication timer, grab some applesauce pouches, or start a daily gratitude practice. Small changes can make a big difference.
Watch the Full Webinar:
Practical Life Hacks for People with PD – Brian Grant Foundation
Stanford Resources:
- Occupational Therapy and Staying Independent
- More Tips and Tricks – Stanford Parkinson’s & Brain Support Network collection
Products Mentioned:
- Suction cup handrails – Search “suction cup handle” on Amazon
- Pill bottle cap timers – Search “pill bottle timer” on Amazon
- Comfort Linens – Specialized sheets for bed mobility
- Hidden Disabilities Sunflower – Airport assistance program
- Magnesium spray – Available on Amazon
- Laundry Turtle