As of today, there is still no objective test to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. While we wait for researchers to find a biomarker, there is an organization using dogs to sniff out and detect an odor associated with PD. Yep, you heard it right. The dogs are super smellers and can detect PD with a 90% or better accuracy. To learn more about this and what this means for diagnosis and treatment of PD, we talked with the program director and one of the dog handlers.  You won’t want to miss this conversation.

There are numerous opportunities around the country to get educated on Parkinson’s disease. There are books, videos, webinars, websites, and educational classes offered by clinics and outreach centers, as well as national foundations and organizations. It is very important to start your education very soon after diagnosis and continue to learn the rest of your life. Today, I want to highlight two not-for-profit groups offering free educational classes to the newly diagnosed but with a twist – how to advocate for yourself along with educating yourself throughout your life. This is an innovative approach and an important combination. It’s the boxing equivalent to the one-two punch. Please keep listening.

In this episode we speak with Dr. Shill again to get an update on the COVID -19 pandemic, the vaccines and how this all relates to Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Shill gave us a fantastic overview in August 2020 in episode 11 if you want to revisit that one.  Also, we are trying something new on this podcast. Listeners recorded and sent in their stories of how using Zoom has helped them through these isolating times. Their stories are included in this episode. Enjoy.

There is a special place in Portland, OR where an enthusiastic, trained fitness coach built a gym dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s. She calls the people she trains – Fighters.  That is very appropriate and sets the tone for what she expects from them. In one building they can take classes in drumming, singing, dancing, boxing, Tai Chi, yoga and more. 350 people take advantage of this opportunity to work on their physical and mental well being.  Listen in as Kimberly Berg describes how she does it and one of her Fighters tells of her experience attending in person and now virtually.

In this episode we discuss the genetic connection to Parkinson’s. It doesn’t matter if you know you have a genetic mutual, if you know you don’t have one or you don’t know and don’t want to know, you will learn a lot about how the research into the genetic mutations linked to PD is leading to science better understanding of the origins of the disease and eventually a cure. We talk to a leading researcher at NYU about the connection. Also, we hear from a family who has a deep connection to the LRRK2 mutation and what that has meant to them.

Did you know that a dog can be trained to help People with Parkinson’s? It’s true and amazing to learn about. When trained to service PD patients, the dogs can help with freezing, mobility, exercise, get help, fetch medications, push a wheelchair, protect and provide comfort. Most of all they help restore dignity, confidence and independence.  Stay tuned to learn more about these special animals. Warning: this is a tear jerker.

We have been tackling the decisions that people need to make for their healthcare insurance choices in our first series of episodes on a topic.  Next up, long term care insurance options. There are 3 broad choices people can make.  Which one depends on your situation. This is another very important, yet confusing life choice. Learn all about this important option in this episode.

Continuing our series on healthcare insurance options. Next up, Medicare. There are more choices than when your parents became eligible. In this episode, we learn from an expert on what option is the best one for your situation and when and if you can change your choice when your circumstances change. No matter what age you are, this is an important topic to understand. It can be very confusing. We break it down and make sense of the confusion.

This is the second episode in our series on healthcare choices and picking the best options for you. Next up – online pharmacies.  Where do you get your medications? The ones you need to treat an ongoing condition. Most people use the corner pharmacy. It’s convenient. Have you wondered about switching to an online pharmacy? One that can source drugs from Canada and other countries with lower costs for their medications? Thousands of people use them and save a lot of money. Is it safe? How does it work? Stay tuned and find out.

Healthcare in the US and, more specifically, healthcare insurance is a very difficult, confusing and frustrating industry to navigate and understand.  It can also be expensive. Yet, it is so important to our wellbeing. How do you make the best choices of you and your family? Even if this doesn’t affect you so much now, it will. Therefore, the Parkinson’s Experience will be producing its first series of episodes on one topic – understanding your healthcare insurance options.  I guarantee you will learn at least one thing in each episode. First up, the individual marketplace for healthcare insurance.