People with Parkinson's have a 2-9 times increased risk of falls than a healthy person of the same age. This can be due to freezing of gait which occurs in about 40% of patients on average. Do you experience times where you just can't move, can't just take the next step for short or longer periods of time? Let's explore why and how you can help yourself without necessarily increasing or adding medications. In this episode, we will hear from the inventor of an innovative device to help with freezing and falling as well as a PD patient who uses it to maintain his active lifestyle.

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Do people ask you to repeat yourself frequently? Do you think you are talking loud enough for others to hear? This is not uncommon in PwP. It has been estimated that approximately 90% of all Parkinson's patients will experience speech issues at some point in their journey with this disease. Some people don't know they are speaking softly and/or not clearly so others can understand. This can lead to poor communication and social isolation. Speech therapy can and does help. However, now there is a new wearable device available that is proven to increase volume and clarity in your voice. In this episode, we speak with a clinical speech-language pathologist and a PwP using this device.

In this episode we tackle the extremely important topic of caregiving. Being a caregiver or care partner is often challenging and offers its own journey. It can be exhausting, frustrating, fearful, painful, as well as joyful, hopeful and rewarding. This is true for all caregiving not just for our love one's with Parkinson's disease. Today you'll hear from someone who has experienced all the humanness of being a caregiver and ended up making it her life's work to help all of us with the complex feelings that come with being a caregiver. She has written best selling books on the topic and created an online community. We often say to PwP "you aren't alone." My guest today will tell you that is as important for caregivers.

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.