Assistive technology (AT) can help people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) complete activities of daily living, such as cooking, eating, dressing, writing, and walking. The Assistive Technology Industry Association defines AT as “any item, piece of equipment, software program, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve…
What do you say to someone who is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD)? What words help and what words hinder? My sister Bev was diagnosed with stage 3 PD, and her caregivers, including me, have challenges in knowing what to say to her and how to say it in…
As one of my sister Bev’s caregivers, I always try to spread awareness about Parkinson’s disease (PD) to family members and friends to increase their understanding and advocate for her and others with PD. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 78, five years later, Bev has stage 3 PD. But Parkinson’s…
Now and then, especially as I’ve gotten older, my gait can be a bit unsteady. I’ve been known to drift a little to the left while walking. As we age, our balance, steadiness, strength, and agility decrease, and our chances of falling increase. For people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), balance,…
My sister Bev, who has stage 3 Parkinson’s disease (PD), has always been an animal lover. I asked her to share with me how her pets have helped her through her illnesses. “I’ve had dogs and cats all of my life and always considered them great and loving friends,…
As one of my sister Bev’s caregivers and a former nurse, I try to educate family members and friends about Parkinson’s disease (PD) to increase awareness and understanding and advocate for my sister. Bev was diagnosed in 2017. She’s now 83 and has stage 3 PD. I am…
Recently, I spent a weekend at a cabin in northern Arizona with some of my SisterChicks friends, as we call ourselves. We were escaping the Phoenix metro area, with its soaring 100-plus-degree temperatures and desert landscape, to experience the ponderosa pine trees and cooler weather. After we’d had some wine…
How do I know that my family members are receiving the best care for their Parkinson’s disease (PD)? What criteria should I consider when choosing a disease management strategy? Given my nursing background, I asked myself these questions when my sister, Bev, was diagnosed with PD in 2017. Fortunately, Bev,…
Most people associate Parkinson’s disease (PD) with shaking, tremors, balance, and gait issues. However, we don’t often consider the impact of PD on vision. According to the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), vision issues may cause a number of symptoms. Not every person with PD experiences these issues, but…
I was 12 when my father died and 17 when my mother passed away. My sister, Beverly, became my legal guardian. I’m not sure she knew what was expected of her at the time while caring for a teen who was devastated by the loss of her parents, but I…
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