The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has introduced an innovative resource for individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD) called ParkinSex: The Game. Developed specifically for the Parkinson’s community, this free resource aims to support couples who may experience challenges with emotional and physical intimacy while managing life with PD.
Parkinson’s disease can influence many parts of a relationship, particularly closeness and intimacy. Symptoms such as stiffness, fatigue, mobility difficulties, and mood changes may make it harder for partners to maintain the same level of connection they once shared. Even in strong relationships, couples can gradually begin to feel emotionally distant. Recognizing this need, APDA introduced the original ParkinSex™ kit and booklet in 2023 to encourage couples to reconnect and strengthen intimacy in ways that suited their individual comfort levels. Following the strong response to the kit, APDA expanded the initiative by creating a companion card game. The development of all ParkinSex materials involved contributions from couples affected by Parkinson’s, a clinical sexologist, healthcare professionals, and the creative support of Havas Lynx New York.
ParkinSex: The Game offers couples impacted by PD a relaxed and engaging way to spend meaningful time together while encouraging intimacy and communication. The card-based activities are designed to inspire conversation, closeness, and shared experiences in a comfortable, pressure-free setting.
Each card highlights a familiar household item — such as a candle, blindfold, or bubble bath — paired with a prompt encouraging couples to connect, for example by setting aside quiet time together. By introducing playful interaction and open communication, the game helps partners work through common relationship barriers and rediscover emotional connection. Instructions and a video tutorial are included, though players are also encouraged to adapt the game and create their own rules.
The focus is simply on enjoying each other’s company and exploring the prompts together. Although the featured items originate from the original ParkinSex kit, most are everyday household objects or can be easily replaced, allowing anyone to participate even without owning the kit itself.
According to Rosa Peña, Senior Vice President of Programs and Services at APDA, Parkinson’s can place significant emotional and physical strain on relationships, often causing romance and intimacy to become secondary concerns. She explained that the lack of supportive resources for couples facing these challenges inspired the creation of both the original kit and the companion card game. APDA hopes these tools will help individuals with PD and their partners reconnect, strengthen their bond, and rediscover intimacy in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful for them.
Click here to order the game. While currently there is no cost attached to the game, quantities are however limited.
Click here to know more APDA.
Parkinson’s disease can influence many parts of a relationship, particularly closeness and intimacy. Symptoms such as stiffness, fatigue, mobility difficulties, and mood changes may make it harder for partners to maintain the same level of connection they once shared. Even in strong relationships, couples can gradually begin to feel emotionally distant. Recognizing this need, APDA introduced the original ParkinSex™ kit and booklet in 2023 to encourage couples to reconnect and strengthen intimacy in ways that suited their individual comfort levels. Following the strong response to the kit, APDA expanded the initiative by creating a companion card game. The development of all ParkinSex materials involved contributions from couples affected by Parkinson’s, a clinical sexologist, healthcare professionals, and the creative support of Havas Lynx New York.
ParkinSex: The Game offers couples impacted by PD a relaxed and engaging way to spend meaningful time together while encouraging intimacy and communication. The card-based activities are designed to inspire conversation, closeness, and shared experiences in a comfortable, pressure-free setting.
Each card highlights a familiar household item — such as a candle, blindfold, or bubble bath — paired with a prompt encouraging couples to connect, for example by setting aside quiet time together. By introducing playful interaction and open communication, the game helps partners work through common relationship barriers and rediscover emotional connection. Instructions and a video tutorial are included, though players are also encouraged to adapt the game and create their own rules.
The focus is simply on enjoying each other’s company and exploring the prompts together. Although the featured items originate from the original ParkinSex kit, most are everyday household objects or can be easily replaced, allowing anyone to participate even without owning the kit itself.
According to Rosa Peña, Senior Vice President of Programs and Services at APDA, Parkinson’s can place significant emotional and physical strain on relationships, often causing romance and intimacy to become secondary concerns. She explained that the lack of supportive resources for couples facing these challenges inspired the creation of both the original kit and the companion card game. APDA hopes these tools will help individuals with PD and their partners reconnect, strengthen their bond, and rediscover intimacy in ways that feel comfortable and meaningful for them.
Click here to order the game. While currently there is no cost attached to the game, quantities are however limited.
Click here to know more APDA.