Megan Taye shares her story of the positive impact that the Brian Grant Foundation community has had on her life.
Megan Taye shares her story of the positive impact that the Brian Grant Foundation community has had on her life.
How do you manage your medications? Do you know what a dopamine agonist is? Do you know how to travel with your medication? Shannon Anderson, M.P.A.S., PA-C, Oregon Health Sciences University, starts at the beginning and talks about the basics of medications and Parkinson’s with Get your pill boxes ready!
About the Presenter
Shannon Anderson, M.P.A.S., PA-C is an Associate Professor of Neurology, School of Medicine and Physician Assistant in the Parkinson Center of Oregon primarily seeing movement disorder patients. She is also a part time faculty member at the OHSU Physician Assistant school. Her interests include Neurology, Movement Disorders, PA education, and Telemedicine.
January 2025
Senator Chris Gorsek, who introduced SB 718, appeared with BGF Executive Director Katrina Kahl, with advocates Kevin Mansfield, Sarah Winter, Patti Togioka, Sarah Lambert, and Brian Grant’s son, Jaydon Grant, all testified in support of a measure to establish a Parkinson’s registry in Oregon.
A Parkinson’s registry in Oregon would help us:
View video testimony from BGF Executive Director, Katrina Kahl (2 min) and Brian Grant’s son, Jaydon Grant (2 min).
View entire the testimony supporting SB 718, ruling on establishing a Parkinson’s Registry in Oregon (Length-28 min): LINK
SB 718 Measure Overview: LINK
The Michael J. Fox foundation has also developed a web page that has additional information, including states where registries have already been created: https://michaeljfox.quorum.us/statewideregistries/
Dance has been shown to benefit people with Parkinson’s physically, cognitively and socially. It can increase the sense of enjoyment and provide opportunities for social interaction.
David Leventhal, the director and founding teacher of Dance for PD, guides us through the research backed benefits of dance. Remember to put your dancing shoes on as we will also learn a few new moves.
About the Presenter
David Leventhal is a founding teacher and Program Director for Dance for PD®, a program of the Mark Morris Dance Group that has now been used as a model for classes in more than 300 communities in 25 countries. Leventhal, who performed with the Mark Morris Dance Group from 1997-2011, leads classes for people with Parkinson’s disease and trains other teachers in the Dance for PD® approach around the world.
By Theresa Harczo, RN, Providence Brain and Spine Center, Portland, OR
Living in Oregon means living through four distinct seasons every year. Seasonal changes in temperature, sunlight, and activity can affect people with Parkinson’s in unique ways. Read on for tips to manage these changes and make the most of the winter months.
DARK vs LIGHT times in winter
COLDER WEATHER can affect your Parkinson’s symptoms
EXERCISE is year-round activity
FOOD for the winter months
Sources
* Tips for Surviving the Winter with Parkinson’s – The Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s (petersonforparkinsons.org)
** How to Deal with Cold Weather in Parkinson’s Disease: 10 Practical Tips for Patients (parkinsonviewpoint.com)
*** Seasonal Produce Guide | SNAP-Ed
In partnership with our Silver Partner
AI has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance monitoring and managing Parkinson’s symptoms more effectively.
During this webcast, Reza Abbasi-Asl, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology at UCSF presents on AI advances for people living with PD and how UCSF researchers use smart phone videos to capture and quantify motor symptoms to provide new clinical insights for personalized treatment.
Bio: Reza is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurology and the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences at UCSF. He is a core faculty member at the UCSF Neuroscape Center, a Weill Neurohub Investigator, and the Director of Data Analytics at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neuroscience.
During the six-week stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, it’s hard to resist gorging on sugary foods and baked goods, especially when you’re surrounded by sweet treats that are a staple of the holiday season.
But if we’re not careful with our food intake and our activity output this season, we may find ourselves “bursting at the seams” with holiday cheer.
One of the best ways to stay healthy over the holidays is to stay physically active. Exercising on a regular basis not only burns off the extra calories from those gingerbread cookies and boosts our energy levels, it also reduces the stress, anxiety or depression that can sometimes sneak up on us during the holidays.
After you read the ideas below, scroll back to click here to see all the exercise resources on our site!
Seek out opportunities to move. Ditch the fancy footwear and opt for walking shoes so you can get moving whenever there’s an opportunity. Classic examples include parking farther away and walking to your destination or taking a few laps around the mall before you actually start shopping.
Plus, there’s always the option of taking the stairs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in one minute, a 150-pound person burns approximately 10 calories walking upstairs and only 1.5 calories riding an elevator.
If you’re flying during the holidays, use the time in between flights and layovers to fit in some physical activity. Avoid taking the automated people mover whenever possible. Instead of waiting at the gate in boredom, try exploring other terminals at the airport if time permits. You might even find some cool last-minute gifts.
Once you reach your destination, you can instantly burn calories (and earn brownie points) by volunteering to help with the cooking, house chores and yardwork.
Clean the heck out of your house. Speaking of house chores and yardwork, if you’re expecting company this year, you’ll probably have to clean anyway, so why not set aside several hours one day and really clean your house?
Bending and squatting to put away dishes or clean hard-to-get spots, walking up and down the stairs repeatedly, folding and putting away laundry – all of these activities burn calories. Visitors with pet, mold or dust allergies would appreciate the effort – and so would your midsection.
In addition, you can use all that time prepping holiday meals in the kitchen to throw in some squats, calf raises or even dancing. Pop a casserole in the oven and head out the door for a walk or jog while it’s baking. That homemade macaroni and cheese will taste so much better after you’ve earned it!
Plan workout sessions ahead of your trip. By taking the time to plan ahead, you are making a commitment to yourself to be more active. Plus, setting workout goals in advance increases your chances of following through with them.
Prior to heading out of town, research where the local gyms are. If you work out at a franchise, chances are you’ll find a branch in your destination city. If not, most gyms offer reasonable day pass rates for non-members and guests.
If you’re traveling to a warmer place, look up local trails and parks and other routes for walking or running in your destination city. This way, you’re not only fitting in a daily workout – you’re giving yourself a chance to take in some free sightseeing.
Shorten the length of workouts but increase the frequency. It’s not like we don’t want to exercise – we’re just too busy during the holidays to fit in our usual 30 to 60-minute gym session, right? Instead of skipping the workout altogether, consider the 10- to 20-minute rule. Running, jogging and walking are always good exercises to do in short bouts, as are body weight circuits for strength training.
If you want the most bang for your buck, consider high-intensity interval training (HIIT). By alternating between periods of maximum effort and short recovery, these condensed but intense workouts get your heart rate and metabolism revving to burn calories and fat. Plus, HIIT workouts can be done just about anywhere and without any equipment.
Take advantage of the season. The holiday season is full of community races and “fun runs” that benefit local causes or charities. These are the 5K runs (3.1 miles) or 1-milers that aren’t super competitive and include walkers of all ages. There is usually a small fee involved, and they’re open to everyone from avid runners to folks who enjoy meandering along the trail with friends.
Bonus: You might get a souvenir t-shirt out of the deal that will bring back fond memories of that time you went on a fun run with friends and family. If your city/town does not have an organized fun run, consider arranging your own informal one with neighbors, family and friends to raise money or awareness for a charity of your choice.
Build activity into family visits and outings. You can still enjoy activities as a family while getting some exercise. Encourage visitors to bring workout clothes suitable for walking on nature trails or perhaps for doing activities at a local health club like yoga classes or racquetball.
If you are spending time with children, organize a game of dodgeball, freeze-tag, hide-and-seek. Why not go outside and build a snowman or have a snowball fight? Even playing with a toddler or chasing them around the house can get your heart rate and metabolism going.
Join a Fitness Group Check out one of our Fitness Partners to find a fitness network in your area that will connect you to others with Parkinson’s. Or find a workout buddy to build in accountability. Strong social connections increase immune system function and reduce stress and anxiety in people with chronic diseases, studies suggest they may help stave off depression and enhance day-to-day function in people with PD.
November 2024
The Brian Grant Foundation and Davis Phinney Foundation applaud the final rule of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banning the manufacture, processing, distribution, import, and disposal of trichloroethylene (TCE). As stated by the EPA, TCE presents an unreasonable risk to human health, including up to a 500% increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. As organizations that care deeply about the Parkinson’s community that we serve, we are alarmed by the unprecedented growth in the number of people living with the disease. Banning TCE is an important step to addressing this unprecedented growth and we are hopeful that it provides a path to banning other harmful chemicals linked to Parkinson’s disease, including paraquat.
Part of living well with Parkinson’s disease is to put your brain through some regular workouts as much as your body. Engaging in activities that stimulate the brain can help improve mood, enhance cognitive function, and even slow the progression of symptoms.
We looked into several online “brain games” that may offer some fun while doing some cognitive calisthenics. We also included a list of popular games that don’t require a screen and add the opportunity to socialize to double the benefit!
ONLINE COGNITIVE GAMES AND EXERCISES
1. Checkers and Chess
Providing checkers and chess for Parkinson’s patients is an essential form of therapy. It’s best for those who suffer from this chronic movement disorder. These classic board games can offer significant neurological benefits. It’s because of stimulating strategic problem-solving play.
By nurturing the brain with these activities, patients can enhance neural connections. And they remain engaged in meaningful pursuits throughout their lives.
In this way, checkers and chess provide a form of cognitive therapy. It can help improve motor skills and battle some of the disease’s negative effects.
2. Poker
Poker for Parkinson’s patients could be one of the best games for the aging brain. This activity has been shown to help improve reaction time and fine motor skills. Thus, it works in an enjoyable, mentally stimulating way. Group poker games also offer an opportunity for socialization among other Parkinson’s patients.
And it all provides a safe setting. Poker for Parkinson’s patients helps to increase cognition and focus. And it also reduces symptoms such as movement difficulties and muscle rigidity. Participants come away from each gaming session feeling more fulfilled and connected. And it leaves them with a sense of hope.
3. BlackJack
BlackJack for Parkinson’s patients is a form of therapy. It encourages physical activity and promotes cognitive awareness. By shaking the hand-held gaming control, users can relearn necessary motor skills for the game.
Practicing these movements supports greater mobility and improved coordination over time. This therapy also stimulates mental activity with challenging strategies to win. By providing enjoyment and relief from symptoms, BlackJack for Parkinson’s patients is transforming the lives of individuals and their families.
4. Scrabble
For those suffering from Parkinson’s, playing board games can be a fun activity for patients. It’s an engaging reprieve from the effects of their condition. Not only does it bring a sense of comfort and familiarity to many who grew up with the game. But it also provides patients with some intellectually stimulating challenges.
They can encourage cognitive stimulation. Playing games like Scrabble can help improve communication and language development. At the same time, it also provides an avenue for socialization among friends and family. Equally important is how Scrabble forces patients to consider their strategic decisions carefully. And ultimately build on existing decision-making skills.
5. Puzzles
Puzzles can be an effective therapy for Parkinson’s patients. They serve as a distraction. And they allow individuals to focus on the task at hand instead of symptoms like:
And it helps with cognitive processes that are often impaired in Parkinson’s.
Not only puzzles are enjoyable and potentially stress-relieving for people with the condition. They also aid in both short and long-term memory retention. Puzzles may even ease social interaction among caregivers and loved ones of those affected by Parkinson’s disease. This makes puzzles an excellent choice for patients to build their skills.
6. Memory-Matching Card Games
Memory-matching card games can be an effective therapeutic intervention for Parkinson’s patients. These games help to increase mental stimulation and seniors’ memory. Also, they provide an entertaining and interactive way to maintain cognitive functioning. Challenging patients to remember and match items from the cards encourages better engagement with the brain and helps with recall.
It is believed that regular activity can work to improve Parkinson’s disease symptoms. And playing memory-matching card games is one example. People suffering from the condition can cultivate a healthier lifestyle while having fun.
7. Charades
Charades can be an effective tool to help patients with Parkinson’s disease. Acting out words and phrases can help stimulate the brains of these individuals. And it improves cognition and communication skills. This type of rehabilitation also has the added benefit of aiding in social interaction, which many living with Parkinson’s may lack.
Also, it can provide a much-needed social outlet. And it is fun and engaging for everyone involved. Physician supervisors should explore their options regarding incorporating charades into therapy sessions for their Parkinson’s patients to see if this creative form of rehabilitation benefits them.
8. Solitaire
Playing solitaire card games for Parkinson’s patients is a great source of:
Especially for Parkinson’s patients. It is an activity they can enjoy while social distancing. And it also offers many cognitive benefits. Additionally, solitaire can be beneficial to physical coordination. It’s because the patient:
Besides providing many physical and mental health benefits, playing solitaire may offer:
Patients can assess tasks in front of them and think strategically about how to solve each game. It helps reduce stress amidst a challenging situation.
9. Simon Says
Simon Says is one of the best games for the aging brains for people with Parkinson’s disease.
It combines:
With “Simon Says” mechanics, people with Parkinson’s like to follow verbal instructions. And at the same time, their motor skills do various physical activities. Memory and coordination can be greatly improved with regular Simon Say exercises. It makes it an essential tool in helping manage the condition.
10. Word Puzzles
Word puzzles help people with Parkinson’s Disease maintain their cognitive abilities. Research has shown that providing a stimulating environment for individuals living with Parkinson’s can help slow the progression of their symptoms.
With word puzzles, Parkinson’s patients can keep mentally sharp. And they remain mentally active, which helps preserve cognitive functioning. Word puzzles provide an entertaining activity. And it allows patients to relax while also stimulating their mental capacities. By offering these activities, we can create a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.
From https://lonestarneurology.net/parkinsons-disease/games-for-parkinsons/