For someone with Parkinson’s disease, getting out of bed often works best as a series of small, deliberate movements: bend the knees, roll onto one side, lower the legs over the edge, push up to sitting, pause, and then stand. It takes longer than simply rolling out of bed but slowing down is part of what makes the movement safer. Parkinson’s can cause slowed movement (bradykinesia), muscle rigidity, balance problems, and freezing or “off” periods when medication is wearing off. Together, these symptoms can make the transition from lying down to standing one of the most difficult movements of the morning.
If your loved one struggles to get out of bed, you are not imagining it. Difficulty with bed mobility is a common nighttime and early-morning challenge for people with Parkinson’s. Our guide explains why this happens and walks you through a safer, step-by-step approach to getting from the bed to a standing position.
Why Do People with Parkinson’s Disease Have Trouble Getting Out of Bed?
Getting out of bed may look like one simple movement, but it is actually a series of coordinated steps: rolling over, sitting up, shifting your weight, and standing. Parkinson’s can make it harder for the brain to initiate and coordinate these movements automatically, so each step may require more thought and effort. Several symptoms can make the process even more difficult, including:
- Bradykinesia: Movements become slower and smaller. Rolling over or pushing up can take much longer than it used to.
- Rigidity and stiffness: Tight muscles in the trunk, hips, and legs make it hard to twist, bend, or swing the legs off the mattress.
- Morning stiffness: Many people take their last medication dose in the evening, so by morning it has often worn off.
- Trouble coordinating several movements: Doing two things at once, like turning the body while moving the legs, gets harder.
- Balance problems: The moment of standing up is when a person is most likely to wobble or fall backward.
- Freezing: Some people feel stuck in place, especially during transitions.
- “Off” periods: When medication levels drop, symptoms return or worsen, sometimes suddenly.
- Fatigue: Poor sleep and the extra effort Parkinson’s requires can leave a person drained before the day starts.
Nighttime bathroom trips are even harder, since they happen in the dark, half-asleep, and often during an “off” period.
How Can Someone with Parkinson’s Get Out of Bed Safely? (Step-by-Step)
The sequence below follows the general approach recommended by the Parkinson’s Foundation. Think of it as a starting point, not a one-size-fits-all routine. The safest way to get out of bed depends on the person’s strength, balance, mobility, equipment, and stage of Parkinson’s. A physical therapist can assess those factors and tailor the technique to your loved one’s needs.
- Start by lying on your back: Get centered on the mattress, not right at the edge.
- Bend both knees: Then plant your feet flat on the mattress.
- Loosen up if you feel stiff: Gently rock your bent knees from side to side a few times.
- Roll onto your side: Roll towards the side of the bed you will get out on. Let your knees lead the turn and your shoulders follow.
- Reach across your body: Reach for a bed pole, rail, or the mattress edge, if you use one for support.
- Move your legs toward the edge: Let your lower legs and feet drop off the side of the bed.
- Push up to sitting: As your legs lower, press down with your bottom elbow and then your hand. The weight of your legs helps lift your upper body.
- Sit on the edge of the bed for a moment: Take a few breaths. Some people with Parkinson’s get dizzy when they change position, and this pause lets blood pressure adjust.
- Place both feet flat on the floor: Plant your feet about hip-width apart, with your heels slightly behind your knees.
- Stand using the technique your therapist taught you: A common approach is to scoot forward, lean your nose over your toes, push off the bed with both hands, and rise in one steady motion.
- Pause before you walk: Stand still until you feel balanced, then take your first step.
The biggest mistake is rushing. Each pause in the sequence serves a purpose, giving your loved one time to find their balance and prepare for the next movement. A physical therapist can also recommend personalized cues, such as counting out loud or saying, “one, two, three, up,” to make difficult movements easier to initiate and complete.
How Can You Help Someone with Parkinson’s Get Out of Bed When They Are Stiff?
Morning stiffness is a common challenge for people with Parkinson’s. After several hours without medication, muscles may feel rigid or difficult to move, making the first few minutes after waking especially challenging.
A few simple adjustments can help. Build extra time into the morning so your loved one does not have to rush to get ready for a ride or appointment. Before sitting up, try gentle movements such as ankle circles, rocking the knees from side to side, or slowly stretching the arms overhead while still lying down.
Some doctors may recommend taking the first dose of Parkinson’s medication before getting out of bed, so it has time to take effect. Never change the timing or dosage on your own, though. Any adjustment should be approved by the prescribing doctor, and medication should otherwise be taken according to the prescribed schedule.
Rushing can increase the risk of a fall, especially when a stiff body cannot respond quickly to a shift in balance. If getting out of bed is becoming consistently more difficult, let the neurologist know. Adjusting medication timing or formulation may help, and a referral to a physical therapist can provide personalized strategies for safer morning movement
What Should You Do If Someone with Parkinson’s Freezes While Getting Out of Bed?
Freezing is a sudden, temporary inability to move, even when a person wants to. Many people describe it as feeling as though their feet are glued to the floor. Unlike weakness, the muscles are still capable of moving; the difficulty is getting the next movement started.
That is why freezing often happens during transitions, such as standing up from a chair or bed or taking the first step after getting up. It can also increase the risk of falling because the upper body may continue moving forward while the feet remain in place.
If you are helping someone who freezes:
- Stay calm: Your tone sets theirs, and stress tends to make freezing worse.
- Don’t pull, push, or rush them: Tugging on an arm can throw them off balance.
- Give one short cue at a time: Cues can be as simple as “weight on your left foot.”
- Use the cue their therapist recommended: Counting, marching in place, stepping over an imaginary line, or a steady beat can help restart movement.
- Give the episode time to pass: Episodes are often brief, and waiting usually works better than forcing the next step.
If freezing happens often, tell the neurologist; it can be linked to “off” periods.
How Can You Make Getting In and Out of Bed Safer for Someone with Parkinson’s?
A few changes to the bedroom can make getting in and out of bed easier and reduce the risk of falls. The Parkinson’s Foundation highlights three important areas to consider: adequate lighting, the right bed height, and appropriate bed-assist devices:
- Bed height: When the person sits on the edge, their feet should rest flat on the floor with knees at about a right angle.
- A firm mattress edge: A sagging edge can tip someone forward as they sit up.
- Lighting: Keep a lamp or touch light within reach of the bed.
- Nightlights: Place them along the route to the bathroom.
- A clear path: Move furniture, cords, and clutter out of the walkway between the bed and bathroom.
- No trip hazards: Remove throw rugs or secure them firmly.
- Bedding that helps: Lightweight covers are easier to push off than a heavy comforter. Some therapists recommend satin sheets or pajamas to make rolling easier.
- Essentials within reach: Keep a phone, glasses, water, and a call button on the nightstand.
- Stable surfaces only: Never lean on a rolling nightstand, a wobbly chair, or loose furniture for support.
Falls from bed are another concern for older adults with Parkinson’s, especially when stiffness, balance problems, or nighttime confusion make movement difficult. In addition to making the bedroom safer, families should consider ways to reduce the risk of falling while sleeping or getting up at night. Read our guide on how to protect elderly loved ones from falling out of bed for additional safety tips and practical prevention strategies.
Our fall prevention services can include a walk-through of the home to spot these risks before they lead to a fall.
What Equipment Helps People with Parkinson’s Get Out of Bed?
Equipment such as bed rails, bed poles, bed ladders, adjustable beds, and satin sheets can help people with Parkinson’s disease get out of bed more easily and safely. Bed rails and poles provide support when rolling or sitting up, while bed ladders help individuals pull themselves into a sitting position. Adjustable beds can make changing positions easier, and satin sheets may reduce friction when turning over. A physical or occupational therapist can recommend the safest equipment based on the person’s mobility, balance, and strength. Bed rails should be properly fitted because they can pose entrapment and fall risks.
When Is It No Longer Safe for Someone with Parkinson’s to Get Out of Bed Alone?
Getting out of bed independently may become unsafe as Parkinson’s progresses. The Parkinson’s Foundation identifies difficulty safely managing everyday activities, including getting out of bed, as a sign that additional support may be needed. Watch for changes such as:
- Falls, or near-falls, happen more than once
- They can no longer sit up without help
- Freezing episodes are frequent or severe
- They repeatedly lose their balance when standing
- They need someone to physically lift, steady, or guide them
- The move from bed to standing is no longer safe
- They are confused or disoriented at night
- Getting to the bathroom has become risky
- The family caregiver can no longer assist safely, whether because of strength, sleep, or their own health
Lifting someone out of bed the wrong way can injure both people involved. If there is no one in the home who can safely lift the person out of bed, consider the help of a professional.
How Can Parkinson’s Home Care Help Seniors in Batavia, IL?
Parkinson’s can affect more than movement. Over time, your loved one may find it harder to get dressed, take a shower, prepare meals, or move safely around the house. Stiffness, slow movement, and balance changes can make these daily tasks more challenging, particularly in the morning or during the night.
At Assisting Hands Home Care in Batavia, our caregivers help with everyday activities while respecting your loved one’s preferences and routines. Support may include personal care, help with transfers, meal preparation, and medication reminders. Caregivers can also follow instructions from physical or occupational therapists when assisting with movement.
For families concerned about nighttime safety, our overnight caregivers can help when a loved one needs to get out of bed or use the bathroom.
We provide parkinsons care in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, Aurora, North Aurora, and nearby Fox Valley communities.
Call (630) 948-8193 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your loved one’s needs and the type of support that may help at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Helping Someone with Parkinson’s Get Out of Bed
Can Parkinson’s disease cause difficulty getting out of bed?
Yes, Parkinson’s disease can make getting out of bed difficult because it causes muscle stiffness, slow movement (bradykinesia), balance problems, and difficulty initiating movement. These symptoms can make it harder to roll over, sit up, or stand. Many people experience greater difficulty in the morning or during nighttime bathroom trips when medication effects may have worn off.
How do you help someone with Parkinson’s get out of bed safely?
To help someone with Parkinson’s get out of bed, guide them through these steps: bend their knees, roll onto one side, move their legs over the edge of the mattress, push up into a sitting position, pause to regain balance, and then stand using a safe technique. Give clear verbal cues, avoid pulling on their arms, and follow transfer techniques recommended by their physical therapist.
Why is Parkinson’s disease worse in the morning?
Parkinson’s symptoms may be worse in the morning because medication effects can wear off overnight, causing increased muscle stiffness, slower movement, and difficulty getting out of bed. This is often called early morning OFF. Poor sleep can also contribute to fatigue and reduced mobility. A neurologist may recommend adjustments to medication timing to help manage morning symptoms.
Why do people with Parkinson’s have trouble rolling over in bed?
People with Parkinson’s often struggle to roll over in bed because muscle rigidity and bradykinesia make it difficult to turn the shoulders, hips, and legs together. Reduced trunk mobility and difficulty coordinating movements can make changing positions challenging. Heavy blankets and soft mattresses may add resistance, making rolling over even harder.
