Home Modifications to Consider for Myasthenia Gravis

Life with myasthenia gravis (MG) means managing fluctuating muscle weakness and fatigue that can change by the hour. This can make it difficult — and sometimes even dangerous — to perform daily tasks within the home.

“Even minor hazards can become significant safety concerns when symptoms worsen,” says Liz Plowman, DPT, a physical therapist who has MG.

With current MG treatments, many patients today don’t experience persistent weakness that would necessitate major changes. But home modification isn’t just about safety — it’s about conserving your energy for the things that matter.

Between gathering your food prep tools, cutting vegetables, and cooking, preparing meals can take a lot out of you. But standing is one thing you don’t need to expend energy on.

“Place stools or chairs strategically throughout your home so you can sit while performing routine activities such as grooming, cooking, laundry, bathing, or meal preparation,” Plowman advises. The type of stool or chair differs depending on the location. In the kitchen, use a sturdy high stool or “perch” chair that’s at the correct height for your counter.

Counter height is also the level you’ll want to keep your most commonly used items — mixing bowls, cutting boards, pots and pans — and heavier appliances. This can help prevent the shoulder fatigue that comes from reaching up for things, since myasthenia gravis affects the proximal (closer to the body) muscles, says Xinli Du, MD, PhD, a neurologist with the Virginia Commonwealth University Health neurology department in Richmond.

Spare your smaller muscles like those in your hands and arms by using lightweight cookware and investing in assistive kitchen tools, such as electric can and jar openers and stand mixers. “Repetitive action can make MG muscles get weaker, so using electric cooking tools might save or preserve your energy,” Dr. Du says.

When optimizing the home for safety, “the bathroom is typically the first priority,” says Natalia Gonzalez, MD, a neurologist and the chief of staff at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience. Her recommendations for high-impact, relatively simple interventions include “grab bars by the toilet and in the shower, a shower chair or bench, handheld showerhead, and nonslip mats.”

Shower chairs not only prevent falls and allow you to rest, but also spare your proximal muscles. “One of my patients complained that when she was washing her hair … her arms got really tired,” Du says. When washing your hair with a shower chair, however, “you can bend and require less of an arm-raised position.”

While in the shower, keep the water temperature tepid, because heat can exacerbate MG symptoms, Du says. Cooling fans can also help you regulate your body temperature when you get out of the shower.

Choosing the right furniture can significantly impact your daily energy expenditure in the home.

Low-sitting furniture and deep, cushioned sofas or chairs can be difficult to exit if you’re experiencing muscle weakness. Instead, opt for a powered recliner — it may be more expensive and take up more space, but it’s easier to exit and some models even come with massage capabilities.

Similarly, you don’t want a bed that can be difficult to get in and out of, which means finding the right height bed and a mattress whose edge won’t collapse when you sit on it as you enter and exit the bed.

With myasthenia gravis, it’s critical to pay attention to your flooring. “Anything that increases fall risk deserves attention,” Plowman says. “Common hazards include loose throw rugs, uneven thresholds, slippery tile floors, and wet surfaces around bathtubs, showers, and kitchen sinks.”

Additionally, “decluttering is always helpful,” Du says.

Stairs can be especially challenging if you have MG, so if you’re in the market for a new home, stick to single-floor dwellings or multi-unit buildings with elevators. Consider moving your primary bedroom to the ground floor if you have multiple floors in your home, and install dual handrails — or even a stairlift, if possible — on staircases.

Technology can play a significant role in making your home life more energy efficient.

You can program voice-command systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to control not only your lights, but also your thermostat and door locks. If you have floor fans throughout your home, consider plugging them into smart plugs, which you can turn on and off remotely through phone apps and voice-command systems.

Vacuuming and mopping your floors can be one of the most physically demanding chores, but smart home technology can help here, too. There are many brands and models of robot vacuums and mops available, some that do both tasks and even empty themselves. You can program these helpers to run daily and often control them through voice commands.

“With advances in technology, there are lots of tools out there you can explore to help make things easier for you,” Du says.

Don’t feel like you have to do everything at once.

“The best approach is to start small and prioritize safety over completeness,” Gonzalez says, adding that you should focus first on areas in which you spend the most time or are the riskiest for causing fatigue or falls.