Exercise and mobility tips for staying independent

Feb 6, 2026

Last updated Sept. 19, 2025, by Elena Schmidt

Fact-checked by Patricia Silva, PhD

Staying active with Parkinson’s disease may feel challenging, especially as symptoms change over time. But regular, gentle movement, like walking, stretching, or dancing, can support your independence, mobility, and confidence.

You don’t always need high-intensity workouts to see benefits. Consistency and choosing exercises that feel manageable and safe for you are key factors that contribute to a positive outcome.

With the right approach, Parkinson’s exercises can support your routine in a way that helps you move more comfortably and confidently.

How exercise helps people with Parkinson’s

While it won’t reverse the disease, the benefits of exercise for people with Parkinson’s include slowing the progression of motor impairment and improving overall wellness.

In fact, the Parkinson’s Outcomes Project from the Parkinson’s Foundation, which tracked more than 13,000 people, found that just moving regularly may help you:

• stay more independent in daily routines
• feel steadier and more confident on your feet
• experience fewer slowdowns in walking or getting up
• maintain a more positive outlook as the disease progresses
• reduce physical discomfort that interferes with movement
• hold on to sharper thinking and communication skills over time

Data from the project also show that increasing physical activity to at least 2.5 hours a week can slow the decline in quality of life, especially when starting exercise earlier in the disease course.

Read more here: Exercise and mobility tips for staying independent

Finding solutions for REM sleep behavior disorder with Parkinson’s

Feb 3, 2026

We had to make changes for our safety and sanity

Written by Marjorie Weiss | January 30, 2026

It was 2:30 a.m., and I was peacefully asleep when I was jolted awake by an arm suddenly flinging over from the other side of the bed, landing squarely on my face. Instantly, shrieks erupted — first from me, then from my husband, Dave, and finally from both of us together. “Stop it, Dave!” I shouted. “You’re having a dream!”

Dave snapped back to reality, immediately apologized, and asked if I was injured. This is his usual response after one of his night terrors, especially when it involves the rare but unforgettable physical outbursts directed at me.

Dave has lived with Parkinson’s disease for 25 years, since he was 49. About a decade after his diagnosis, he began experiencing a new symptom: vivid, active dreaming. He often talks in his sleep, rarely making much sense when I’m awake to overhear him. Most of the time, it’s benign, sometimes even cheerful, and I simply roll over and drift back to sleep. Occasionally, though, he acts out, defending himself against imagined dangers in his dreams. I should stress that these nighttime thrashings and outbursts are not routine. Instead of his usual lighthearted sleep talk, he’ll sometimes cry out in genuine fear. He rarely remembers much about these dreams, so I typically don’t press for details.

Read more here: Finding solutions for REM sleep behavior disorder with Parkinson’s