February 24, 2026

Muscle rigidity is a persistent motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease, and it’s influenced by multiple factors, including posture, stress, medication timing, and overall activity levels. It often manifests as stiffness in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, or legs, and can make ordinary movements feel slow and difficult. Rigidity may fluctuate throughout the day, but its interference with dressing, bathing, walking, and even resting makes it a significant challenge to overcome. While there are some great big-picture lifestyle changes like resistance training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that can make a big difference, it’s also important to incorporate consistent, gentle movements into daily routines to further reduce discomfort and improve mobility day-to-day.  

Why Rigidity Happens
Rigidity in Parkinson’s is caused by changes in how the brain regulates muscle tone. Instead of muscles relaxing fully between movements, they may remain partially contracted. This leads to reduced arm swing while walking, a sense of heaviness in the limbs, difficulty turning in bed, and movement restrictions.

Stiffness may become more noticeable during periods when medication is wearing off, during prolonged inactivity, or when anxiety is heightened. Recognizing patterns can help you better anticipate and manage symptoms.

Ways to Reduce Everyday Stiffness
Understanding that rigidity responds well to frequent, moderate movement is key. The following strategies focus on maintaining mobility without overexertion. It’s always a good ideo consult your care team before making major changes to your routine, but these are great places to start.

Warming the muscles

• Take a warm shower before starting your day
• Apply a heating pad to tight areas
• Start activities with light walking rather than static stretching while muscles are “cold”

Mobility practice

• Begin with relaxed breathing to release shoulder and jaw tension
• Gently roll shoulders forward and backward
• Rotate the trunk slowly while seated or standing
• Shift weight side to side to encourage hip mobility
• Take a brief walk using longer steps and upright posture

Mind-muscle connection

• Visualize the movement you’re performing
• Think about lifting the chest rather than pulling the shoulders back
• Keep your chin level and gaze forward
• Allow arms to swing naturally when walking

Modifying Daily Tasks to Accommodate Rigidity

Incorporating occupational therapy principles into your daily routine is a good complement to mobility exercises. They emphasize working with your body rather than pushing against it. These small adjustments conserve energy and reduce frustration, which will in turn help ease some of the challenges of rigidity.

Dressing

• Choose clothing with elastic waistbands or simplified fasteners to reduce the amount of fine motor skill needed to get dressed.
• Lay clothing out in the order it will be put on
• Try getting dressed while seated to reduce balance demands

Bathing

• Install grab bars and non-slip mats into the shower or tub
• Use a shower chair if standing feels tiring or balance is difficult
• Keep toiletries within easy reach

Kitchen and household tasks

• Use lightweight cookware to reduce the fatigue of lifting and moving pots and pans
• Slide items across counters instead of lifting them (if possible)
• Work in short intervals rather than completing tasks all at once

Rigidity is rarely resolved by a single technique. It responds best to repetition, awareness, and thoughtful pacing. Don’t forget to lean on your support system for assistance in implementing these changes and staying on track. Perhaps the most important piece of advice anyone can offer is to ask for help when you need it. Having difficulty with daily tasks can be embarrassing and hard to admit, but being honest with loved ones and taking the time you need to perform movements will always lead to better outcomes.

February 24, 2026

Gait freezing is one of the more complicated and frustrating symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is defined as sudden, temporary inability to take a step. While brief, these episodes can feel overwhelming and may increase the risk of falls.

Why Gait Freezing Happens
Though freezing is often unpredictable, it tends to occur more frequently in specific situations and often has several contributing factors:  

Cognitive challenges
Planning and coordinating movement, especially when navigating turns, doorways, and uneven ground, can trigger freezing, as well as starting or stopping, moving through small or cluttered spaces, and walking on slippery surfaces.

Multitasking
Walking while reaching for something or performing another task.

Emotional triggers
Anxiety, excitement, frustration, uncertainty about where to go, and feeling rushed or pressured.

Medication timing and dosage
When you take your medication can influence when freezing is more likely to occur.

Practical Tips to Move Better During a Freezing Episode
Understanding freezing triggers is the first step toward managing them. The strategies below were developed in partnership with Parkinson’s experts and reflect the techniques clinicians commonly teach their patients to help them move more safely. Always consult your physician or care team before making major changes to your routine, but the following are great places to start:

Visual Strategies
Visual cues can help “reset” movement patterns, so find a way to anchor yourself to your environment and shift attention away from the sensation of being stuck.

• Focus on a companion walking beside you
• Look through doorways rather than at them
• Keep your gaze straight ahead instead of looking down
• Choose a target in the distance and walk toward it
• Place a visible mark on the floor and step over it

Mental Strategies
Freezing often worsens when someone feels hurried. Slowing down and mentally rehearsing movement can improve physical control.

• Pause to reduce the sense of urgency
• Visualize movements such as kicking a ball, climbing stairs, or dancing
• Count aloud to create a steady rhythm

Movement-Based Techniques
Altering how you initiate movement can help break a freeze by creating a deliberate motor sequence that helps initiate forward motion.

When turning:

• Walk in a wide circle instead of pivoting in place
• Practice stepping over a companion’s foot or a visible spot on the floor

To start walking:

• If you use a cane, tap it on the ground to establish rhythm
• Step sideways or backward before stepping forward
• Lean slightly forward to shift your weight

Auditory and Tactile Cues
External sensory input can serve as a powerful trigger for movement.

• Have a companion gently touch your arm or elbow
• Walk arm in arm with someone
• Use verbal cues such as “walk” or “march”
• Listen to rhythmic music you enjoy

Medication Timing
Medication management plays an important role in freezing (as well as many other symptoms). Tracking which times of day certain symptoms are most noticeable can help your care team fine-tune your treatment.

• Use reminders to take medications at consistent times
• Keep a diary of freezing episodes to identify patterns
• When possible, plan activities during “On” periods when medication is working optimally

Making the Most of Your Strategies

Gait freezing is complex because it involves motor planning, attention, environment, emotional state, and medication effects. There is rarely a single solution for reducing episodes. Instead, you’re most likely to benefit from a combination of strategies. Take some time to identify which approaches are most helpful and in which situations they are effective, and try not to get discouraged, as this may be a longer process than expected. With preparation, awareness, and good technique, many people with Parkinson’s can improve their ability to move through freezing episodes and reclaim a stronger sense of independence.

Creating a Legacy of Hope and Support

At the Brian Grant Foundation (BGF), our mission is to empower people impacted by Parkinson’s to lead active, fulfilling lives. By including BGF in your estate plans, you extend that mission into the future, ensuring that individuals and families living with Parkinson’s will continue to find education, resources, and community support for years to come.

Planned giving is one of the most meaningful ways to create a lasting legacy.

Ways to Leave Your Legacy

Bequests (Wills & Trusts): Designate a specific amount, a percentage, or the remainder of your estate to BGF. This flexible and straightforward option makes a lasting difference.

Beneficiary Designations: Name BGF as a beneficiary of your retirement account, life insurance policy, or bank account. It’s a simple step with a powerful impact.

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs): If you’re 70½ or older, you can give up to $100,000 annually from your IRA directly to BGF. QCDs can count toward required minimum distributions and may lower taxable income.

Gifts of Securities or Appreciated Assets: By donating long-term appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, you avoid capital gains tax and receive a charitable deduction.

Gifts of Real Estate or Property: You may choose to give real estate or other property, either outright or through a retained life interest (subject to BGF acceptance policies).

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRTs): Establish a trust that provides you or your loved ones with income for life or a term of years, with the remainder supporting BGF’s work.

Life Insurance Gifts: Name BGF as a beneficiary of an existing or new life insurance policy. Premium payments may qualify as tax-deductible contributions.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs): If you have a DAF, you can recommend a grant to BGF at any time.

Why Your Legacy Matters

Your planned gift is more than a donation; it’s a promise to future generations. It ensures that:

• People with Parkinson’s live empowered lives.
• Families and caregivers receive education, resources, and hope.
• Programs remain strong, accessible, and sustainable.

Sample Bequest Language

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Brian Grant Foundation, a nonprofit corporation with principal office in [City, State] (EIN: ________________), (a) __% of my residuary estate; or (b) the sum of $__; or (c) the remainder of my estate, for its general purposes (or for purposes designated).”

Recognition Through the Legacy Circle

We are deeply grateful for the generous supporters who include BGF in their estate plans. Through our Legacy Circle, you may receive:

• A welcome letter and certificate of appreciation
• Recognition in our annual report and website (if you wish)
• Invitations to exclusive events and briefings
• Impact updates about how your gift is making a difference

If you prefer, you can remain completely anonymous. We honor every donor’s wishes with the utmost respect and confidentiality.

How to Begin

• Consult your advisors. Review options with your attorney or financial planner.
• Use our sample language. Adapt it to fit your wishes.
• Let us know. While not required, notifying us helps us steward your legacy thoughtfully.
• Stay connected. As part of our Legacy Circle, you’ll be welcomed into the BGF community with ongoing updates and gratitude.

Important Note

This information is provided as a guide and should not replace advice from your legal, tax, or financial advisors.

Together, we can ensure that no one faces Parkinson’s alone, now and for generations to come.

Brian Grant Foundation Tax Information:
Legal Name: Brian Grant Foundation
Address: 650 NE Holladay Street #1600, Portland, OR 97232
Tax ID: 27-1628944

Brian Grant Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

If you have any questions, please contact us at (503) 274-9382.

February 03, 2026

Speech changes in Parkinson’s often happen gradually. Many people don’t realize their voice has changed until someone else points it out or they have trouble projecting in everyday situations like phone calls, drive-thrus, work situations, and group conversations. Common speech-related challenges can include:

• Low volume or a softer voice
• Struggling to be heard in noisy environments
• Slurred or unclear speech
• Cognitive strain when multitasking
• Fatigue, frustration, or self-consciousness while speaking

Speech changes aren’t just physical. They can also affect identity, relationships, and participation in everyday life. Avoiding conversations, staying quiet in group settings, or seeking calmer environments because speaking in socially competitive spaces feels exhausting can lead to reduced connection with others and increased isolation.

How Swallowing Changes Affect Speech
For some, speech issues overlap with physical symptoms like saliva management and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), creating an additional barrier to speaking comfortably. Swallowing changes can happen slowly over time, and the signs and symptoms may look different from person to person, but the following are common:

• Muscle stiffness or slowness affecting swallowing
• Reduced coordination between breathing and swallowing
• Dry mouth or low saliva
• Cognitive changes that interfere with swallowing
• Posture challenges that increase aspiration risk

Even when swallowing changes don’t seem directly connected to speech, they can still influence it. Frequent throat clearing, coughing, and unpleasant throat sensations can interrupt the flow of conversation and make speaking more difficult. Some in the Parkinson’s community need to address saliva or swallowing issues before they can even attempt to speak clearly. Reduced coordination between breathing and swallowing affects timing and breath control, which both play an important role in speaking with strength and clarity.

Strategies That Can Help
The most effective approach to improving speech and swallowing is a combination of professional support and consistent habits that strengthen voice, reduce strain, and make communication easier. Try the following:

• Work with a speech-language pathologist early and consistently
  Building good habits as soon as you notice issues will set you up for success and potentially slow the decline.
  
  
• Participate in speech therapy programs
  Evidence-based programs such as LSVT LOUD support vocal strength and clarity to improve and preserve speech.
  
  
• Practice, practice, practice
  Daily voice exercises like vocal warmups, reading aloud, and singing help maintain muscle control and strength, and adding in breathing exercises can further encourage projection.
  
  
• Eat and Drink Safely
  To help reduce swallowing strain, sit upright during meals, choose softer foods, eat slowly, and limit distractions so you can focus on chewing and swallowing efficiently. To learn more, check out this article on how to eat well when swallowing is hard.

Speech and swallowing changes in Parkinson’s can be challenging, but they don’t have to mean avoiding conversation or withdrawing from social events. With the right support, early intervention, and consistent practice, improvement and preservation are possible. If you’re noticing changes in speech or swallowing, speak with your care team about putting together an action plan to keep your voice strong.

To learn more about how to improve speech and swallowing with Parkinson’s, register for our upcoming webcast with Julia Robinson, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 25 years of experience!

January 23, 2026

For many people living with Parkinson’s disease, changes in chewing and swallowing can turn eating into a source of stress. The muscles involved in swallowing may become slower or less coordinated, increasing the risk of coughing, choking, and fatigue. Over time, this can affect nutrition, hydration, mood and even cause certain types of pneumonia.

The good news is that there are simple adjustments that help make eating safer, easier, and more satisfying. With the right approach, meals can remain nourishing and comforting even when dysphagia is present. Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty or discomfort while swallowing.

Swallowing Changes in Parkinson’s
Swallowing is a complex process that relies on precise timing and muscle control. Swallowing difficulties in Parkinson’s often develop slowly and may not be obvious at first. Early signs include needing more time to finish meals, a feeling that food is stuck in the throat, and coughing during or after eating and drinking. Liquids may be especially challenging, as reduced muscle coordination can make it harder to control their flow.

Because these changes tend to emerge gradually, they’re sometimes mistaken for normal aging or brushed aside as minor inconveniences. Being mindful of how mealtimes are currently going and making a mental note to flag any suspicious or recurring incidents that interfere with swallowing can help identify problems before they affect nutrition and hydration.

If swallowing problems are suspected, a speech-language pathologist should be consulted. In the meantime, there are eating strategies that can make a meaningful difference in your daily routine.

Some Foods to Try
The best foods to rely on when swallowing has become difficult require minimal chewing and are easy to control in the mouth. Moisture and softness are important characteristics to look for, but don’t forget to prioritize nutrient density and variety! Here’s a handy list of foods to consider:

• Eggs – scrambled, poached, soft omelets
• Yogurt, pudding, custard, and other smooth dairy-based desserts
• Cottage or ricotta cheese
• Hot cereals such as oatmeal and cream of wheat
• Puréed soups made from vegetables, beans, or lentils
• Smooth mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, or winter squash
• Applesauce and other puréed fruits without skins or seeds
• Finely shredded chicken or turkey with gravy or sauce
• Soft tofu or well-cooked legumes blended to a smooth consistency
• Stewed fruits such as pears and peaches
• Mashed or puréed carrots, zucchini, and spinach
• Avocado

Foods That Often Cause Trouble
While individual tolerance varies, certain textures are the most common culprits when it comes to exacerbating swallowing difficulties:

• Dry or crumbly foods such as crackers, toast, and rice
• Mixed textures like chunky soups or cereal with milk
• Tough meats and foods that require prolonged chewing
• Sticky foods that cling to the mouth or coat the throat, such as peanut butter and honey

Which foods you incorporate into your diet are only half the battle. How and when meals are eaten matter just as much, so take a moment to review this list of general mealtime tips and find the ones that work for you:

Slow down
Allow yourself plenty of time to eat without feeling rushed. Take small bites and sips. Pause when you need to. Rushing increases the risk of coughing and fatigue.

Sit upright
Good posture promotes safer swallowing. Remain seated upright during meals and for at least 30 minutes after. This will also help reduce symptoms of acid reflux and indigestion.

Reduce distractions
Focusing on the meal by turning off the TV and other devices that compete for your attention can improve coordination and awareness.

Time wisely
Some people find swallowing easier when medications are working optimally. Tracking patterns can help identify your best mealtimes and maximize the effects of your treatments.

Watch for warning signs
Frequent coughing, throat clearing, unexplained weight loss, or avoiding favorite foods should prompt a conversation with your physician. Sometimes we don’t notice changes right away, but keeping an eye on feelings and behaviors over time can shed light on emerging symptoms. The sooner you seek support, the sooner you can implement solutions and get back to enjoying meals!

Huge thanks to Jamba Juice and Jaydon Grant for raising $10,000 for the Brian Grant Foundation at the Trail Blazers Charity Free Throw Challenge on January 15!