Parkinson’s Foundation Starts Podcast Series on Research, Advice and Other Subjects

The Parkinson’s Foundation has started a podcast series on new research findings, advice for those with the disease and their families, and other topics.

The podcasts, hosted by Dr. Dan Keller, are being streamed live, and can be downloaded afterward. The series is titled “Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s.”

A 15-minute episode will air every other week, featuring interviews with Parkinson’s specialists.

“As part of the Parkinson’s Foundation’s mission to ensure that all people living with Parkinson’s obtain the care and support they need, the new podcast highlights the latest research and findings while providing practical advice from Parkinson’s experts to help people with Parkinson’s live better lives,” Keller said in a press release.

The podcasts are designed to be easy to listen to while people are on the go. Coming episodes will focus on Parkinson’s-related mental health issues, genetics, marriage, driving, and family relationships.

The guests and the topics they covered in the first five episodes were:

• Dr. Michael S. Okun, medical director of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “Early Warning Signs of Parkinson’s.”
• Dr. Peter Schmidt, senior vice president of the Parkinson’s Foundation. “The Parkinson’s Foundation’s Role in Improving Standards of Care.”
• Dr. Bas Bloem, medical director the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center in the Netherlands. “The Benefits of Exercise for People with Parkinson’s.”
• Dr. Bas Bloem. “The Importance of Good Nutrition for People with Parkinson’s,” and
• Dr. Irene Malaty, a movement disorder specialist at the University of Florida in Gainesville. “How to Manage Parkinson’s ‘Off’ Time.”

“Recognizing that Parkinson’s is not a one-size-fits-all disease and people can live decades after diagnosis, the Parkinson’s Foundation provides free resources in a variety of formats, including our new podcast series,” Okun said. “In order to ensure the best quality of life, each patient needs uniquely customized strategies for short- and long-term treatment and care, as well as how they learn about their disease and learn to live with it.”

Suggestions for podcast topics can be submitted at www.parkinson.org/feedback. The podcasts will be  available at iTunes, Google Play, TuneIn (Amazon Echo), and RSS feed.

The Parkinson’s Foundation offers a range of services to those with the disease and their families. One is a Helpline, where experts provide information and support, including referrals to healthcare professionals and community resources. Another is educational books, which include more than 10 titles. The content of the books ranges from introductory information to in-depth material on specific Parkinson’s topics.

You might also want to check the Social Clips section of our website, Parkinson’s News Today. Recent posts discuss such topics as “11 Facts about Parkinson’s Disease You May Not Know” and “9 Tips for Getting Rest and Sleep When You Have Parkinson’s Disease.”