Coping with an ongoing medical condition like Parkinson’s disease can present many challenges that impact your daily life — including tasks such as using a cell phone. A member of MyParkinsonsTeam, the online community for people living with Parkinson’s disease, shared, “I have both essential tremors and Parkinson’s. Some days, holding the phone is difficult, let alone answering it or texting with it. What type of phone has worked best for those with tremors?”

Cell phones are a common topic among members of MyParkinsonTeam. Members share difficulties using smartphones and seek advice on the type of cell phone that might best suit their needs. “What tips or advice can you give to someone suffering with Parkinson’s who sometimes struggles to pick up a cell phone and struggles to input the initial screen unlock code?” one member asked.

In this article, we discuss why people with Parkinson’s disease may struggle to use a cell phone and offer eight cell phone tips that may be helpful to those with the condition.

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How Parkinson’s Can Make Cell Phone Use Difficult

The nervous system — your brain, spinal cord, and nerves — controls all the processes in your body. It’s in charge of both voluntary actions (actions you choose to take), like walking, and involuntary actions (actions you have no choice in), such as the speed of your heartbeat. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder — a condition that impacts the body’s nervous system and its functions.

“I need a new cell phone. My tremors make things difficult. And some days, voice-to-text will not work for me because my voice is so weak.”

— A MyParkinsonsTeam member

Parkinson’s is a neurological movement disorder that worsens over time. It often causes abnormal muscle movements, such as:

• Tremors (shaking) that can start in the hands, feet, or jaw
• Muscle rigidity causing difficulty and jerky movements
• Slower-than-normal movements

All of these symptoms can make it hard for a person living with Parkinson’s to use a cell phone. For example, a caregiver may notice hand tremors prevent a loved one from holding the phone to their ear or pressing the right keys. Or, if their movements are slow, they may not be able to answer a phone call in time.

Speech issues, such as a soft, fast, or slurred way of talking, can also make it hard for someone with Parkinson’s to use a phone. “I need a new cell phone. My tremors make things difficult. And some days, voice-to-text will not work for me because my voice is so weak,” explained one member.

Cell Phone Tips for People With Parkinson’s

Hand tremors and other symptoms of Parkinson’s can make it harder for those with the condition to use cell phones. The good news is there are many ways to adapt your phone to meet your needs.

Here are eight cell phone tips that can help people living with Parkinson’s stay connected and safe.

“My husband with Parkinson’s disease puts his iPhone flat on the table and uses the voice activation to send texts and emails.”

— A MyParkinsonsTeam member

1. Use Voice Commands

Many smartphones have built-in voice command features, which allow you to control your phone with just your voice. When using a voice feature, you can speak text instead of typing it to send text messages or emails. You can also navigate your home screen and different mobile applications by giving verbal commands. This can be very helpful for people with Parkinson’s whose hand tremors may make it difficult for them to hold the phone steady or press the right buttons.

As one member shared, “My husband with Parkinson’s disease puts his iPhone flat on the table and uses the voice activation to send texts and emails. When he talks by voice, he keeps the phone on the table and pushes the button for speakerphone so he can hear. Keeping it on the table takes away any issues from tremors.”

On an iPhone, this feature is called Voice Control. You can enable it by going to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control. Within Voice Control in Settings, you’ll be able to see a list of available commands, which can vary depending on the app you’re using. People who use an iPhone can also take advantage of its built-in virtual assistant, Siri, which responds to voice cues.

For those using an Android, Voice Access and Google Assistant work in similar ways. To use these, you’ll need to download the Google and Voice Access apps from the Google Play Store. After installing, you can enable Voice Access by going to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Access.

2. Try a Stylus

A stylus is a pen-shaped tool designed to be used with touchscreens, such as those on smartphones and tablets. One great thing about a stylus is that it can give you better control when interacting with your screen. For people living with Parkinson’s and unsteady hands, a stylus can help them touch what they’re aiming for more accurately. A stylus can be used for making selections, writing, or drawing on a phone.

3. Choose Larger Screens

Choosing a cell phone with a larger screen can also be helpful for people with Parkinson’s. A larger screen provides bigger targets to touch, while a stylus offers more precise interaction with the screen. Both options can reduce unintended touch errors.

You can change the display size on many smartphones to magnify what appears on screen. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom. To adjust text size, visit Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text > Larger Text.

Android users will find Font Size and Display Size options within Settings.

4. Adjust Touch Settings

You can also try adjusting how your phone responds to your touch. Depending on the type of smartphone you have, you may be able to tell your phone to ignore certain interactions and only respond to touches that last a certain time. These features can be helpful for people with Parkinson’s whose tremors may cause them to touch the screen repeatedly without them wanting to.

On an iPhone, these options are under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Touch Accommodations. There, you can adjust Hold Duration time. You can also enable Ignore Repeats, which can help prevent accidental touches.

To adjust touch sensitivity on an Android, try Settings > Display/Advanced Features > Touch Sensitivity/Screen Protector Mode. These instructions may vary based on the brand of your device.

One study found that people who used a Parkinson’s tracking app were more likely to take their medication than those who didn’t use a reminder app.

5. Try Apps Designed for People With Parkinson’s

One benefit of living in a time of new technology is that new mobile apps are being created every day. Some of these apps are made especially for people with Parkinson’s. Mobile app offerings for those with Parkinson’s disease include:

• Assistive tools — Apps that offer support for voice and tremor issues, such as Whispp, which converts low-volume and impaired speech into clearer speech during phone calls
• Symptom trackers — Apps that monitor Parkinson’s symptoms like tremors, such as Steady Hands and StrivePD
• Therapy — Apps that offer speech and other types of therapy, such as Beats Medical, SingFit, SingApp: Parkinson’s, Scrolling Therapy, and Neuro ProActive
• Movement and mobility — Apps that focus on improving gait (your way of walking) and overall mobility, such as Walking Tall and mKinetikos
• General well-being and health — Apps that offer self-care routines and fitness classes for those with Parkinson’s, such as PD Buddy and We Are Undefeatable

6. Use a Medication Reminder App

Several tools are available to help you keep track of your Parkinson’s medications. Apps that can track your medication dosing and timing include:

• MediSafe
• YOURmeds
• MyTherapy

Apps can remind you to take your medications and follow your treatment plan. One study found that people who used a Parkinson’s tracking app were more likely to take their medication than those who didn’t use a reminder app.

7. Set Up Your Emergency Contacts

Many smartphones let you choose which contacts are notified in an emergency. Parkinson’s disease can raise the risk of falls and other emergencies, such as choking or fainting. Because of this, it’s important to set up emergency contacts on your phone. Other helpful numbers to add to your phone include:

• The police and fire departments
• Your doctor’s office
• A friend who lives nearby

8. Enable Location Services

Your phone’s GPS tracker can be a useful tool if you have Parkinson’s disease. When location services are turned on, you can share your location with trusted people, such as family members. This can help them find you quickly in an emergency.

On an iPhone, you can share your location using the Find My app by turning on Share My Location. There are also free and paid apps that let you share your location with people of your choosing, such as Google Maps and Find My Phone — Family Locator.

Join the Conversation

On MyParkinsonsTeam, people share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have any tips that make using a cell phone with Parkinson’s easier? Let others know in the comments below.