The David Posnack Jewish Community Center is a 2018 Parkinson’s Foundation community grant recipient that runs free exercise programs for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in Davie, FL. With their increased number of participants each year, the program utilized a grant from the Foundation to expand and add more classes. Today, they offer PD-tailored Tai Chi, yoga, Ageless Grace®, boxing, aquatic exercises, voice therapy, spinning and dance.

Barbara Jones, a caregiver to her husband who is living with Parkinson’s, never misses a class and always leaves inspired.

“The care that he gets here is unparalleled, you just can’t believe how important this class is for us and how much attending the classes help him get going and moving,” Barbara said. “I don’t know how I would get through this is I if I didn’t have these classes.”

In 2018, the Parkinson’s Foundation expanded its community grants program nationwide, inviting all organizations and individuals who offer a Parkinson’s exercise or wellness class anywhere in the U.S. to apply for a community grant. In 2019, the Foundation will award $1.2 million in community grants to help local programs further their health, wellness and education initiatives that address unmet needs in the Parkinson’s community.

“The best part of my job is attending programs that have received community grants and meeting with the people in our PD community who benefit from these unique PD classes,” said Nadia Romero, Parkinson’s Foundation grants manager.

The Foundation measures the impact of every local community grant recipient in their communities through site visits, developing a deeper understanding of the project, community need and impact.

“We want every grant we award to help as many people as possible — that includes people living with Parkinson’s, caregivers and family members,” Nadia added.

Help your local PD program receive a Parkinson’s Foundation community grant! If you manage a PD program or know someone who does, please visit Parkinson.org/CommunityGrants.

Enjoyable activities are essential to replenish mind, body and spirit. It is is important for people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and care partners to stay active through physical, mental and social stimulation and to engage in activities that promote relaxation.

Important Considerations for Leisure Activities:

• Set aside time in your calendar for leisure activities in your week to make sure they happen.
• Consider trying new activities and/or exercise classes. Call our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) to find a PD-specific class near you.  
• Schedule the time of your leisure activity to coordinate with your “on” time. Remember to take your medications with you to ensure dosage schedules stay on time.
• Stretch before engaging in any physical activity to prevent muscle strain.
• Join a group or take a class to explore new hobbies and/or connect with others with similar interests. 
• Balance activity and rest to reduce fatigue. A variety of interests may provide opportunities for both active and more sedentary leisure pursuits.
• Try simple adaptations to your leisure interests. Build up golf club grips for a better swing; install a handrail on the dock to make getting in and out of the boat easier; experiment with a recumbent bicycle; or build raised beds in your garden.
• Be aware that Parkinson's can make movements slower, smaller or affect balance reflexes. Use common sense and "test the waters" before beginning activities.
• Invite others to join you in your leisure activities.
• Get creative. Try writing, painting, photography, ceramics, knitting or other creative possibilities. Creative expression is an important component to quality of life.

Involving your team

An occupational, physical or recreational therapist can provide assessment and recommendations for current leisure pursuits, make suggestions for exploring new options or provide assistance in making adaptations if needed.

For more information about managing Parkinson's, PD resources, financial matters and personal stories visit Living with Parkinson's. 

This Parkinson’s Awareness month, we received more than 100 keys to living well with Parkinson’s disease (PD) from our community! Find out what Maggie, Nancy and Cindy each do to help them or their loved one manage Parkinson’s.

Check out more #KeyToPD videos submitted by members of our PD Community.

This Parkinson’s Awareness Month, we asked our Parkinson’s disease (PD) community to share their keys to Parkinson’s with us. We received hundreds of keys to living well with Parkinson’s!

Whether you are living with PD, are a caregiver or a healthcare professional, thank you for sharing your tips that make life a little easier. We will be posting your keys at Parkinson.org/Blog throughout the year but check out our top 10 keys submitted by YOU.

Exercise

“I listen to audiobooks and love good thrillers. I tease myself into exercising by allowing myself the satisfaction of hearing what happens next only when I’m exercising.”
- Patricia

“Create a playlist for walking. My symptoms get worse towards the end of long walks as I tire. By creating a playlist of songs with a good strong walking beat, the muscle memory kicks in and helps my body finish the walk strong instead of dragging one heel and not having one arm swing.”
- Fred

“For me, I have been blessed to be part of the Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) family for the last 3 plus years. Our coaches encourage us to push ourselves to continue to improve our strength, balance, movements, stamina and endurance. We have class 4 times a week and what a great and supportive new family of friends we have in each other! If you had told me that I would be doing a boxing workout at age 71 for an hour 3-4 times a week, I probably would have laughed. Rock Steady Boxing has given me a whole new positive outlook on my Parkinson's.”
- Wayne

Medication

“I use a black container to put all my husband’s medications in when I get them ready for him to take. I used to use little clear plastic cups that fruit snacks come in, but since most of his pills are white or light colored it was sometimes for him to see if he took them all. Then I found some black sauce cups from an Italian restaurant and he said he could see the pills much better against the black.”
- Susan

“Planning. I am the live-in caregiver for my mom with PD. I set aside a few hours one day a month to set up her pills in four, seven-day containers. That way in case something comes up with her or me at least we have her pills ready. I also set alarm timers in her phone and mine for her pill times. Such a big help!”
- Megan

Daily Living

“My key to living well with Parkinson’s is a metronome. When I get up in the morning, I have trouble walking because of freezing issues. It is very frustrating. There are ways to trick your brain into walking, but the best thing I have found is a metronome. The tick, tick, tick helps me to get going. Now I don’t want to carry a metronome around and as they say, ‘there’s an app for that.’ I have it on my phone and it is my key to get my morning moving!”
- Joyce

“I have rather severe tremors and eating gets pretty messy. I find that if I put my plate of food on top of a large bowl, the distance from plate to mouth is much reduced, which makes more food stay on the spoon or fork during that journey. It is a very small thing but for me, it makes a big difference.”
- Carole

“Use supermarket gift cards so you don't have to sign for a credit card or fumble with paper money and coins.”
- Sandra

“To decrease my leg pain/stiffness when I go to sleep, I do an Epsom salt soak. Heat the water as hot as you can stand it (without sustaining a burn). Add two cups of Epsom salts (there are some that are infused with lavender) and 1/2 cup baking soda. To enhance the experience, light a candle and/or play soothing music. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes.”
- Moises

"Since my hands are weak, I use a Waterpik, face scrubber, button hook, electric toothbrush and hair dryer holder to help me get dressed and out the door faster. My best tip is using a seat belt extender in my car so that I can buckle up with my right hand. These things are small but make life so much easier. Also, it's important to have a 'happy place' and parrots are mine!"
- Martha

Summer is traditionally a time filled with friends, good food and new adventures. Living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can interfere with daily life, but it should not stop you from enjoying new things. This summer we want to inspire you to do things that make you feel “on.”

Here are five things people in our community have done to #SummerOn.

1. Create your own memory game!

After find out she had Parkinson’s, Laura learned more about her brain. She found that games help stimulate the brain and decided to put her drawing skills to use. Laura’s created a memory card game with 24 cards. Instead of the traditional matching games that only use images, her game matches a card with text and an image she created. “This way, the game engages both the limbic system and the part of the brain that processes language,” Laura said.

→ Get inspired by Laura and create your own game.

2. Take a hike!

Four years after her Parkinson’s diagnosis, Beth took a grand hiking challenge by hiking the Grand Canyon during Parkinson’s Awareness Month. She wanted to raise awareness for Young-Onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) and the huge toll it takes on families. Plan a hike this summer to raise awareness or just simply head to the mountains or nearby park to enjoy nature. Either way, share your pictures with us ― and remember to use our hashtag #SummerOn.

→ What type of exercise is best for people with PD? Read our exercise article to find out.

3. Travel On

Nancy did not let her love of travel stop when her husband’s Parkinson’s made it more difficult to do so. Nancy found ways to not let his PD prevent him from traveling. In her #KeyToPD Nancy shares some tips on how to make air travel easier. She encourages people living with PD to ask for a wheelchair at the airport even if they do not need it. This way there is no need to worry about getting to your gate in time, falling or finding things around the airport.

→ Don’t let your PD stop you from visiting your dream destination. Check out our webinar and article about traveling with PD and follow Nancy’s traveling tip and the other tips shared through our #SummerOn campaign.

4. Fundraise!

Summer is the perfect time to do new things with friends, but planning can be difficult. We have an idea for you. Plan a fundraiser in your community this summer and motivate others with PD. Creating a fundraiser is easier than you think. Fundraisers can be anything from throwing a party or barbeque, gathering a group and going for a bike ride or hosting a movie under the stars. You can even follow Elizabeth’s example and run a marathon with the proceeds going to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

→ Learn more at Parkinson.org/Champions.

5. #FoodieFriday

Food provides nutrients that give us energy for activity, growth and all functions of the body. Proper nutrition is important when it comes to PD. In episode 4 of our podcast, Dr. Bas Bloom explains how nutrition can help improve some of the symptoms of Parkinson's and optimize the effects of medication. He also offers tips on getting adequate nutrition. Good thing there are tons of yummy healthy recipes on our YouTube channel.

→ Join our #FoodieFriday this summer by cooking and sharing some of your favorite healthy meals.

Follow us on our social media to find more ways to #SummerOn before summer sails away.

Whether you’re planning your next beach escape or gearing up for a road trip, the need for entertainment is key, and what better way to tune out than tuning into our podcast?

Featuring the latest treatments and techniques in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) field, our Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s podcast features the experts in the Parkinson’s community who cover a series of PD topics including employee dynamics, the benefits of exercise, alleviating voice challenges and more!

We’ve made it easy for you by picking out our top recommended podcast episodes for the summer― think of this as your curated PD podcast playlist. Just a click away, these episodes will transport you into the labs, offices and meeting spaces of PD health professionals who are eager to share more about your PD topic of interest.

1. The Benefits of Music Therapy for Parkinson’s

The benefits of music therapy for Parkinson’s have been well established. Rhythm and rhythmic cuing can help with initiation, coordination and maintenance of movement. Benefits can extend to cognitive functions, communications abilities and mood. Some music therapists have furthered their education as academically trained professionals specifically in working with people with Parkinson’s.

Listen Now

2. Parenting and Parkinson’s: Raising Children While Living with Parkinson’s

Parenting has its challenges and surprises under the best of circumstances, but when a parent has Parkinson’s, it can put added stresses on the family. As parents’ abilities and roles change, children should understand the disease, how it may change their routines and the potential need to take on additional responsibilities. 

Listen Now

3. More than a Movement Disorder: Addressing Mood and Coping

Parkinson’s is more than a movement disorder. While movement symptoms may be a prominent outward symptom of PD, mood and other emotional changes are also common ― and not just for the person with PD. Care partners may also experience these changes. Often, the best way to recognize these problems and figure out coping strategies may involve other health professionals. 

Listen Now

4. Talking to Your Employer About PD: Disability Inclusion and Accommodation at Work

Many people with Parkinson’s want to continue to work. Sometimes all it takes is recognition of their condition by their employer and accommodations to compensate for disabilities. In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act provides certain protections in the workplace for people with disabilities once they reveal their situation to their employers, who are then required to make reasonable accommodations to do the job. 

Listen Now

5. Alleviating Voice Challenges with PD

Just as Parkinson’s affects movement, it can affect muscles of the face, mouth and throat, leading to problems with speech and swallowing. People with PD may experience voice problems during the course of their disease. The problems tend to increase as the disease progresses but may occur at any stage.

Listen Now

6. Changing the Hospital Experience Through Aware in Care

People with Parkinson’s need their medications on time, every time. Getting them too soon or too late can cause problems. So when a person with PD enters the hospital, which happens 50 percent more often than their peers, the staff often needs to be educated on the importance of delivering medications at the right dose and at the right times ― times that may differ from the usual times that medications are dispensed.

Listen Now

7. Encountering Gender Differences: Women and PD Initiative

Given the differences women may encounter when dealing with their Parkinson’s, the Parkinson’s Foundation is leading the first national effort to address gender disparities in Parkinson’s research and care as part of an overall Women and PD Initiative. The Foundation has developed new patient-centered recommendations to improve the health of women living with PD.

Listen Now

If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe, rate and review the series on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We want to hear what you think about our podcast! Share your feedback here.

A balanced diet is the foundation of good health for everyone. However, nutrition is even more important for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). While there are many things about PD that cannot be changed, the informed choice of diet is one that can help people to live better with Parkinson’s.

The right food can optimize medications, ease symptoms, keep bones strong, fight constipation and weight loss and help maintain general health and fitness. A healthy diet can be delicious at the same time. Check out some of the fun and healthy recipes we made this summer for #FoodieFriday on our social media.

Blue Majik Pancakes

This recipe contains antioxidants, such as blueberries and spirulina, that may help defend your cells from damage. Almond flour is a great replacement for regular wheat flour since it is packed with nutrients, is low in carbs and may reduce “bad” cholesterol and insulin resistance. For a fun breakfast, try these healthy blue pancakes.

What makes the pancakes blue? Blue spirulina, sold at health food stores and sometimes the vitamin aisle, is derived from blue-green algae that is high in nutritional content and can help boost the immune system, increase energy and improve digestion.

As a caregiver for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease (PD), your days may include medication alarms, driving to and from appointments and helping your loved one with activities of daily living. Simultaneously, you may be managing finances, cooking, working and trying to keep up with family and friends. It can be easy to forget that your needs require attention too. Self-care is defined as any practice that relieves stress and encourages a healthy mind and body.

We know you are busy, so we’ve compiled 15 realistic ways you can implement self-care…starting now:

1. Eat healthy with less hassle. The better you eat, the better you feel.
2. Manage stress. Determine what helps you relax most: a hot bath, a meditating app, reading a new book or going on a walk. Then devote time to it every day.
3. Exercise regularly. We know that exercise plays a role for your loved one’s PD, and consistent exercise can also help you. Just 30 minutes of daily exercise can help you sustain your energy and lead to better sleep.
4. Set limits and stick to them. This means asking for help when you need it. Try new resources. Bring in outside help (family or paid worker) so you can take a break. Call the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636). No one can do everything for everyone all the time!
5. Reflect on the rewards of caregiving. Alongside trials and challenges, caregiving offers triumphs and joys. Take pride in how much you have learned and in discovering your own strengths.
6. See to your own health needs. Set up and attend your own medical appointments regularly. Your physical and mental well-being are key to successful caregiving.
7. Find activities you can enjoy with your loved one outside of care. Go to a movie, host a dinner party or sign up for something new. Enjoy time together.
8. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps flush out toxins, so bring a reusable bottle wherever you go.
9. Socialize with people who uplift you. Nothing can empower you like a feeling of camaraderie. Minimize exposure to negative people. Instead, go out with friends or get involved with a community organization, support group or charity that you believe in.
10. Laugh. Keeping a sense of humor helps beat anxiety. Watch a funny video or read something funny every day. Recognize and enjoy the happy moments with your loved one.
11. Schedule breaks from caregiving and make them a priority. Take time to pursue other aspects of your life or just to relax. Plan these breaks in advance and arrange for help while you’re out.
12. Cultivate a mindfulness practice. Try morning meditations or set a daily reminder to assess how you are coping. If you are stressed, plan your next break.
13. Life plan. Thinking about your future and what you want to achieve in life can help you maintain personal motivation. Can your loved one help you reach your goals?
14. Accept your feelings. Guilt, anger and depression are normal reactions to a progressive disease. Recognize the hidden grief component in these emotions and seek out someone who understands it. Knowing what to expect emotionally can help.
15. Practice being grateful. Recall or write down a few things from your day that made you or your loved one smile. Learn to savor the good times and the things that went right, however small.

Want more caregiver resources? Read Caring and Coping: A Caregiver’s Guide To Parkinson’s Disease or call our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) for answers to your caregiving questions.

While the leaves may be changing, your favorite podcast isn’t going anywhere! Cozy up, sit back and get ready to learn from our Parkinson’s disease (PD) experts with our top Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s podcast episodes:

1. Stall the Fall
   People with Parkinson’s are two times as likely to fall as other people their age. While healthcare professionals recognize the extent of the problem, there is still a lot to learn about why they happen and what can be done to prevent them.

Listen Now

2. Depression in Parkinson’s 
   With depression as a common PD symptom, people with Parkinson’s should be conscious of their increased susceptibility to seasonal depression. Learn about the symptoms that accompany depression and how they may overlap with PD itself.  

Listen Now

3. The Launch of PD GENEration
   Fall means school is in session. Learn about our latest study, PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease, and how it aims to help uncover key mechanisms responsible for PD and its progression.

Listen Now

4. Seeking a Second Opinion After a Parkinson’s Diagnosis
   People are being newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s year-round. Learn more about seeking a second opinion from a movement disorders specialist. It may help to confirm the diagnosis and address any lingering unanswered questions.

Listen Now

5. Addressing Sleep Discomfort with Parkinson’s
   The seasonal time change can lead to trouble sleeping for everyone, but people with PD experience sleep problems as a symptom. Changes in the brain can affect mood, thinking and the sleep-wake cycle. Find out how to address sleep discomfort.

Listen Now

6. Palliative Care as Supportive Care in PD
   A change in temperature can bring muscle stiffness. As people with PD understand the benefits of palliative care, they are adding it to their regimen. Palliation means to ease the burden of the symptoms of a disease.

Listen Now

7. Dance Therapy for PD
   A change of season can be the perfect time to try something new. Besides medication, people with Parkinson’s can benefit from many other forms of therapy, including physical, occupational, speech, music, art therapies, along with dance/movement therapy (DMT).

Listen Now

If you liked what you heard, subscribe, rate and review the series on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you have any questions about the topics listed or want to leave feedback on this podcast or any other subject, you can do so here.

Regardless of where your loved one is on their Parkinson’s disease (PD) journey, you are the only one who can define “caregiving.” Especially following a new diagnosis, you might not feel like you are actually “giving” care. Similarly, your loved one might not see himself or herself as someone in need of care. But remember, care is not limited to physical tasks. Care can be emotional and spiritual as well as physical.

With resources created for care partners like our Caring and Coping educational book and Caregiver Summit videos, the Parkinson’s Foundation is here for caregivers. This November, for National Caregiving Month, we are asking our PD community to share their caregiving #KeyToPD. These care partners tell us their #Keys:

“I use a black container to put my husband's medications in when I get them ready for him to take. I used to use the clear or white plastic cups, but since most of his pills are white or light colored it was sometimes difficult for him to see them. Then I found some black sauce cups from an Italian restaurant and he can now see the pills much better.”
– Susan W.

“Being a caregiver is probably the most difficult job you’re ever going to have. The only way you can do it is to take care of yourself. You cannot say, ‘I don’t have time for me.’ The person you’re taking care of wants the best for you because you’re giving the best to them. Don’t be a martyr. It’s okay to take care of yourself.”
– Karen

“Planning. I am the live-in caregiver for my mom with PD.  I set aside a few hours one day a month to set up her pills in four, seven-day containers. That way in case something comes up, at least we have her pills ready. Also, I set alarm timers in both our phones for her pill times. Such a big help!”
– Megan F.

“A ‘couch cane.’ This allowed my mother more independence for a while longer. She could get herself up from her couch using the couch cane. Her walker was right next to it, so once she arose, she could use the walker to move to the bathroom on her own.”
– Jean B.

"When you go to the support groups, when you go to the meetings, you meet other people with the same problems, the same difficulties. It’s a wonderful way to communicate, understand what you’re up against and get advice from other people. As you get together you start talking, you start confiding, and you find that you get people that are very willing to listen. That’s very important to me.”
– Carolyn

“We used to carry 2-ounce slices of cheese and 1.92-ounce single-size candy bars. Whenever my wife's dyskinesia got bad, she would eat one or two slices of cheese and the protein would counteract the excessive Sinemet causing the dyskinesia. Whenever her feet froze to the pavement, she would pop a chocolate bar and that would unfreeze her.”
– George A.

 “Even as life changes, never stop striving to increase the qualities of your life together.”
– Judith

The Parkinson’s Foundation does not endorse products mentioned in this article.