Columns

When dealing with a disease like Parkinson’s, eventually a caregiver will be needed. I suppose the politically correct term for this person is now “care partner,” at least in some circles. The latter term implies that the care is shared with the person who has the disease. The…

Brain wave research has the potential to improve management of Parkinson’s disease because beta wave bursts have been linked to the condition. Beta waves are generated when the mind is active and engaged, often accompanying vital fundamental behaviors such as attention, sensation, and motion, which are associated with…

Opening up about a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is a personal and complicated decision. While some share the diagnosis immediately with friends, family, and colleagues, it’s common for people with Parkinson’s to conceal their condition, often for months or even years. Even actor Michael J. Fox waited…

First off, let me say I am not a Zen monk, nor have I been formally trained in Zen practices. It’s a lifestyle that started during my undergraduate college days with the reading of “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.” Since then, I’ve been studying and practicing regularly,…

Ten years is a long time to fill a self-care toolbox, but mine will never be complete, and the same tool will never be at the top. I have favorites, however, and one is my regular therapy session. Whether it’s in person or through telemedicine, I’ve come to depend…

When the clock struck midnight on March 13, Dad turned into a pumpkin, sprouting vines for ears and orange skin as a protective barrier from the world. That day completed his seventh full decade on the planet, and I imagine it gave him insight into the number of days he’s…

So what exactly happens when a full-time caregiver gets sick? Needs to take a well-needed day off? Can’t perform the necessary tasks of caregiving? As full-time caregivers, some crazy questions run through our minds. For example, how will my husband, Arman, who was diagnosed in 2009 with…

Recently, I discussed the dreaded dangers of despair. This darkness is, in many ways, linked to a loss of self-worth, something that happens with Parkinson’s disease. It happened to me. I had a bad “Beast” day that overlapped with my evening “off period” and felt sick with…

One of the most challenging nonmotor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is fatigue. When I think about the word, a poor night’s sleep comes to mind, resulting in a day of being tired afterward. Or fatigue might result from a long week at work or a stressful life event.

Editor’s note: This column briefly discusses suicide. Please find resources for help at the end. No one prepares you for the enormity of the loss that comes with a chronic illness compounded by getting older. My ability to bounce back has fallen through the floor, leaving me groundless and searching…