Hey all! I'm reaching out because a friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He's an older guy who's spent his entire life working with his hands, and now that everything's getting a bit more challenging for him, he's feeling quite bored and unfulfilled. I'm curious if anyone here has suggestions on hobbies that might suit someone with his background. Are there any woodworking activities or alternatives that he could pick up while still using his skills? Any insights or advice would be hugely appreciated!
2 Answers
If he wants to keep working with wood, a CNC machine could be a good option. It lets him design projects on a computer and then use the machine to cut the wood. However, if he's not tech-savvy, this might be tricky for him. It could be worth exploring simpler tools that don’t require much manual dexterity, so he can still enjoy making things without too much strain.
It really depends on how much control he still has with his hands. My dad has an intentional tremor and struggles with small tasks, but he can manage larger movements—like operating a skillsaw for rough furniture. If your friend's hand control is compromised, he might need to consider different activities. I know someone whose grandfather had Parkinson's but worked in the shop until his eighties while on medication. Maybe he could adapt smaller tasks to fit what he can still do!