Americans living with PD

Persons with PD in our community

Americans diagnosed annually

What is Parkinson Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common degenerative neurological disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that PD affects 1 percent of the population over the age of 60.

www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/what-is-parkinsons

Parkinson's Disease and Military Exposures
Veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who served in-country or on the inland waterways of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975 are presumed exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides and are eligible for presumptive service-connection. To learn more, go to the Agent Orange Parkinson’s Disease website or call 1-800-749-8387, the Special Health Issues Toll-Free Helpline.

INFORMATION FOR VETERANS WITH PARKINSON
www.parkinsons.va.gov/

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​LOSS OF MOTIVATION AND “The 8 Disciplines of a Parkinson Patient”

Parkinson's disease (PD) made me lazy, I told myself as I wallowed in lassitude for years after my diagnosis. The loss of dopamine-producing cells in those with PD affects not only one's physical ability to move, but the motivation to move as well. How do you climb out of this pit, when you don't feel like doing anything at all?
One strategy I used was to change my perspective. Instead of forcing myself to enjoy activities I should do, I searched for things that I enjoyed doing in the first place and let the appeal of the activity substitute for loss of motivation. To my surprise, I discovered new activities that I love, like playing pool, photographing landscapes, tossing a softball with a friend, or throwing stones at scrap of wood floating in a lake. Learning to do new things can be fun, if there is an early reward in the form of a new skill. Before long, engaging in these enjoyable activities had a spillover effect, motivating me to do "un-fun" activities, such as exercising, on a regular basis.
For me, another substitute for loss of motivation is simply discipline. The word "discipline" may have negative connotations, but all it means is regular repetition of an activity until eventually it becomes comfortable, even pleasant. It's like learning to drive a manual transmission car. Next, I thought about the practices and activities which helped me the most in dealing with Parkinson's. I shared this list with my friends who have Parkinson's and circulated it among support groups in our area. I refer to this list as

"The 8 Disciplines of a Parkinson's Patient":
1. I will meet regularly with my doctor, follow his or her advice and find a new doctor if he or she becomes unavailable.
2. I will take my prescribed medications, track my medication supplies and discuss any side effects with my doctor.
3. I will follow a personalized exercise program in consultation with medical and fitness professionals.
4. I will make good sleep habits a priority and reduce factors which inhibit me from getting a good night's rest.
5. I will foster an attitude of optimism and well-being and strive to alleviate stress through fun and healthy activities.
6. I will remain engaged with my family, friends, caregivers and others, resisting the tendency to withdraw socially.
7. I will read about maintaining a positive outlook grounded in my faith beliefs or my spiritual development.
8. I will contribute to the Parkinson's community by giving my time, talents, money, or by participating in medical trials.
Article from the Michael J Fox website: www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?loss-of-motivation-and-the-disciplines-of-parkinson-patient

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Video on Getting from a Car to a Wheelchair
videos.aarp.org/detail/video/5327147805001/family-caregiving-series:-getting-from-a-car-to-a-wheelchair---aarp?autoStart=true&q=family

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​Video Family Caregiving Series: Moving from a Walker to Shower or Bed
​videos.aarp.org/detail/video/5327194526001/family-caregiving-series:-moving-from-a-walker-to-shower-or-bed---aarp?autoStart=true&q=Family%20Caregiving%20Series:%20Moving%20from%20a%20Walker%20to%20Shower%20or%20Bed

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Is Parkinson an Autoimmune Disease? (a Voice only Podcast)
www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?podcast-is-parkinson-an-autoimmune-disease