Help a Parkinsons Patient on Board

[lesterbutch]

I dont know if your addressing my post or one of the earlier ones, but I know anyone who sails with me very well before I invite them aboard. Even then, there can be surprises because people when they get older have good days and not so good days, so each time they visit the game changes.

[bensolomon]

Here's what I did for my uncle who has a limitation due to neuromuscular disease:

I went to the local hardware store (ace I think) and bought a $15 or $25 fixed two step "step stool". Rubbermaid or one of those companies made it. Importantly, the bottom of the steps had a flange so that I could screw it down to the dock next to the boat. All I did was screw some 1.5 inch pan head screws right through the "flange" part of the bottom step into the dock, and viola! I have to be there to act as the railing, but that's it. Here is a side view of the thing.

Ben



Ben Solomon
S/V Dawn 1989 37.5 hunter legend

[bensolomon]

I can email you the picture so you can magnify it to see better, if it helps.

[lesterbutch]

Not necessary I blew the image of your boat up and could see it clearly. Great idea. I no longer need it because we moved the boat to a friends dock and you have to go down to board even on a high tide.

[bensolomon]

Great! I always admired the potters. Very solid. I had a chrysler mutineer and always aspired to own a potter. By the way, that picture you sent is really great. The boat with that little tree in the background with some mist is a very nice photo. Have a great sail!!

Ben

[thinwater]

Many good ideas. I have a wife with balance and mobility issues and had a grandfather with advanced Parkinon's. My 10c.

Lash the boat TIGHT to the dock such that there is no chance of movement. Movement will scare them. I do this on both the dingy and the boat. If the risk of scratches bothers you, either pad it or scratch the idea. This is what I do with my wife, and it really helps.

Find a dock that is level, even if that means moving the boat. Steps are risky.

A shallow beach might work. It works for our dingy, better than high docks.

[wa2enm]

Originally Posted by lesterbutch

I have had some disabled people and very elderly folks and I simply have them sit on the rail and I rotate them in by placing my hand on their back and helping lift their legs as I turn them inboard, once their legs are in you play it by ear.

The above is the right answer.

My wife had PD and this is the way she got in and out of a car: back in, sit, and rotate her legs. As her mobility lessened, I assisted with the lowering to sit and the rotation of the legs. Your variation is, sit on deck or combing and rotate legs to inside. BUT, only if either of them needs/requests assistance!

To build a ramp, stairs, anything, is overkill. The height of your deck above the dock (in the pic you linked to) is perfectly amenable to this method. If the height of the combing above the deck seems too high to be comfortable for the legs swing, put a pillow or cushion on the deck to even out the distance.

However, my expectation is that they will be able to step from dock to deck to cockpit requiring only your steadying hand (from within the cockpit) to hold on to.

Let us know how you make out.

Paul

[lesterbutch]

Wonderful expectation! Each and every person should be encouraged to do as much as possible within their limitations. I never intercede unless help is requested.