It’s estimated that Parkinson’s disease affects 1 million Americans. Ninety-six percent are diagnosed after age 50, and the incidence of disease increases with age. Since April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Senior Services Expert Lori Williams welcomes the CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation, John Lehr.

John discusses:

– What Parkinson’s disease is + the symptoms

– The potential causes

– Treatment plans and the importance of a care partner

– Important resources for those with Parkinson’s

John draws from the wealth of knowledge from the Parkinson’s Foundation for a comprehensive, compassionate look at the disease. He echoes the purpose of the foundation: educating people with Parkinson’s as well as their care partners / families on what they can expect, and how to live as well as they possibly can.

Topics discussed:

– Parkinson’s disease

– Symptoms of Parkinson’s

– The Parkinson’s Foundation

– Causes and treatment of Parkinson’s

– Parkinson’s tremors

– Dopamine / Mental Health

– Care partners

https://youtu.be/PYgI0rypF6s

Takeaways from this episode:

– Early symptoms of Parkinson’s affect movement, but other body systems are affected: cognition, mental health, GI, Sleep, senses, and more. Everyone is impacted differently.

– Parkinson’s disease has unknown causes, but there’s a genetic and potential environmental component (such as exposure to napalm in the Vietnam War).

– Treatments for Parkinson’s include deep brain stimulation, dopamine replacement Therapy, Exercise, and trying new things to keep the brain active and create new circuitry.

– Outcomes for Parkinson’s are much improved when a care partner is involved and the patient takes medication regularly, exercises and tries new activities.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Parkinson’s Foundation:

https://www.parkinson.org

Parkinson’s Toll number:

1 800 4PD INFO

Parkinson’s Revolution initiative:

https://www.parkinson.org/get-involved/revolution

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email Lori@Loriwilliams-seniorservices.com

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Originally Published on https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/

Lori Williams Senior Living Expert & Host of the Podcast, Aging in Style

Owner/Founder of Lori Williams - Senior Services. I’ve worked in senior living for over 16 years. My passion for learning all I could about aging, dementia and resources for older adults was inspired by my grandmother who was diagnosed with dementia in 1994. I am also the creator and host of the podcast, Aging in Style. The purpose of the podcast is to educate on all things senior related and to share stories of inspirational seniors.

I have a degree in Marketing from LSU, and I am a Certified Senior Advisor and a Certified Dementia Practitioner.