Substantial Matters: Life & Science of Parkinson’s

• Stories From Our Volunteers

  Our Parkinson’s Foundation Ambassadors are the backbone of our outreach, bringing awareness about Parkinson’s disease (PD) directly into local communities. From leading community walks, to staffing tables at resource fairs, to starting meaningful conversations about the urgency of PD -- there are many ways to get involved with the Foundation. Each of our ambassadors has their own story and special reason for choosing to volunteer with us. In this special episode, we speak with Holly Bloom, who was recently recognized as a Rising Star in the South Central Chapter. She shares her volunteer experience with the Foundation and her personal journey as a care partner. Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there’s a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback.

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• Allied Health Spotlight: Partnering with an Occupational Therapist

  Allied health professionals are a group of healthcare providers whose role and expertise complement the work of physicians. They include specialists such as physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, nutritionists, and many more. They are just as important as your Movement Disorders Specialists and Neurologists and play a vital role in creating a comprehensive, well-rounded Parkinson’s care team that attends to your individual needs and addresses your overall well-being. Many people are familiar with physical and speech therapists, but fewer recognize the valuable benefits of working with an occupational therapist (OT). An OT helps identify the activities that you enjoy and ensures strategies are in place so you can continue doing what matters most. They work with you to adapt your environment, tap into your strengths, and create realistic strategies so you can keep living life on your terms. In this episode, Karyssa Silva, MS, OTR/L, CLT, an occupational therapist at Aldersbridge Physical Therapy & Wellness Outpatient Center in Rhode Island, shares how she helps people with Parkinson’s with daily tasks and activities that bring them joy. She works closely with people with PD and their loved ones to address physical and mental challenges, empowering them to stay engaged in the activities they value the most. During the episode, Karyssa mentions that people sometimes walk away from their OT appointment and wonder if they missed something important. Here’s a worksheet to help organize your thoughts and make the most of your time during appointments. Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there’s a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback.

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• What to Know Before Taking Nutritional Supplements for Parkinson’s

  People with Parkinson’s disease (PD) may hear, whether through word of mouth or the internet, about herbs or supplements that claim to ease PD symptoms. It’s important to recognize that nutritional supplements are not federally regulated, and there is limited research supporting their overall effectiveness. You should always speak with your healthcare provider before starting a new medication or supplement.  Nutritional supplements can include herbs, vitamins, or other drugs that are often available without a prescription. Since these products are not formally regulated, there is a high risk for potentially dangerous drug interactions when mixed with other medications, regardless of if they are prescribed by a doctor or available over the counter.  In this episode, we speak with Dr. Angela Hill, a pharmacist and professor at the University of South Florida, to better understand the precautions of taking supplements while living with PD. She discusses the potential side effects and risks of taking drugs without fully knowing what’s in their ingredients, as well as the warning signs to watch for. She shares tips for reading and evaluating labels and offers guidance on the type of questions to ask a pharmacist to help decide whether the supplement may be a good fit based on your specific health condition.  During the episode, Dr. Hill mentions additional resources for evaluating herbal medications and understanding medication timing. Click here to view the articles, along with her contact information for any follow-up questions. Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there’s a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback.

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• Make Every Minute Count: Optimizing Your Parkinson’s Doctor Visits

  Medical appointments can feel overwhelming – there may be many questions on your mind and not enough time to address everything with your doctor. Preparing a list of questions and concerns ahead of time can help you focus on what matters most to you and ensure you’re actively advocating for your care. To support this process, the Parkinson’s Foundation created a worksheet that offers a step-by-step guide for identifying and prioritizing your top concerns.  Advocating for yourself during appointments can be challenging, and at times, uncomfortable. Speaking up is essential to make sure your top needs are heard and addressed. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Taylor Rush, a Health Psychologist and director of Behavioral Services and Interdisciplinary Programs at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. She shares her recommendations for how to prepare before, during, and after a visit with your Parkinson’s doctor, take a proactive role in managing your care, and access helpful resources to support you throughout your Parkinson’s journey. Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there’s a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback.

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• ¡EN ESPAÑOL! Paso a paso: encontrar el equilibrio con Parkinson

  Las caídas y los problemas de equilibrio son frecuentes en el Parkinson, sobre todo a medida que avanza la enfermedad. Estos síntomas pueden dificultar las tareas diarias al afectar su capacidad para caminar y moverse con confianza. Comprender cómo afecta el Parkinson al equilibrio y reconocer otras posibles causas es esencial para encontrar las estrategias adecuadas para controlar los síntomas, mejorar la movilidad y mantener la independencia.     En este episodio, hablamos con el Dr. Daniel Martinez Ramirez, neurólogo especialista en trastornos del movimiento en Nuevo León, México. El Dr. Martinez habla acerca de llevar un registro de los cambios en el equilibrio, explorar las opciones de tratamiento y de cómo levantarse de manera segura después de una caída.  ¡Siga y califíquenos en su plataforma favorita de podcasts para recibir notificaciones cuando salga un nuevo episodio! Cuéntenos que otros temas le gustaría que cubriéramos visitando parkinson.org/podcastencuesta.

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